Review of Hidalgo (2004) by Kevin M. W — 11 Mar 2011

The alleged true story of Frank T. Hopkins, an 1890's cowboy who brought Hidalgo, a mustang and total dark horse, to Arabia to compete in a 3,000-mile endurance race against champions. You can see where the rest of the movie is going from there.

Hidalgo is an adventure tale that never met a cliche it didn't like, and goes on for a punishing two hours and sixteen minutes. It has its moments, and helps a little that it stars Viggo Mortensen as Hopkins, who displays athletic grace and sly wit, depsite the clunky dialog from John Fusco's script.

Director Joe Johnston (Jumanji, Jurassic Park III) brings in a sandstorm, a plague of locusts and an attack from leopards that are more Hollywood than history, not to mention computer-generated. Hopkins predictably drowns his sorrows in booze after enduring the battle of Wounded Knee.

There are also Arab stereotypes galore, but Omar Sharif (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago) hams it up as Sheik Ritadh, who organizes the race and also threatens Frank's manhood for flirting with his daughter.

Hidalgo the horse is actually played by five mustangs, with Mortensen keeping T.J.. used for the close-ups, after production wrapped. Hidalgo is a terribly bumpy ride, best for a night on Netflix streaming.