Director: Steven Spielberg
Starring: Emily Watson, Benedict Cumberbatch
“Lassie Come Home” reincarnates as “War Horse” in Steven Spielberg’s latest war epic. The story of a young soldier who searches for his horse in the first world war, makes exceptional viewing. Wonderful direction from Steven Spielberg, (as one has come to expect), a memorable musical score by John Williams and great performances by the leading cast (notably Emily Watson) are the main tributes of the movie.
Slow in parts however, the film may have been better streamlined had it been 15 minutes shorter. The audience seemed to get slightly restless at times as the horse went from one adventure to the next. The war sequences are so brutally realistic that one wonders how this movie could have been filmed without harming the scores of horses that were featured.
Hopefully War Horse will collect some awards at this year’s Academy Awards, however, it may lack the X Factor required to win the sought after Best Film.
Ultimately, War Horse makes Phar Lap look like a pansy... JAKE 8.5/10