Review of Secretariat (2010) by Daniel K — 05 Feb 2011

3: I love animal films and I love sports films. Hence, I loved Seabiscuit and the same is true of Secretariat. I don't mind Diane Lane either of course, but who would? The real story here is true to life and ridiculous.

Despite the fact that we know essentially exactly what is going to happen, we can't help but be enthralled by the action on screen. Just when one thinks it couldn't possibly get any more spectacular, Secretariat goes and defies all logic in perhaps the greatest and most impressive equine race in history.

I've always gotten an insane rush out of racing and this is definitely the case here. It doesn't matter whether it is humans or horses with humans on top of them; it's a visceral thrill that will never get old and it gets me each and every time.

It brings back memories of my own exploits and gets my competitive blood flowing. Combining this with my love of animals and you have a potent combination. As strong as my dog Prion is, her rippling muscles are nothing compared to the various horses that play Secretariat on screen.

It is beautiful poetry in motion. Ballet has nothing on this, especially when slowed down for the silver screen and displayed in so much detail. The performances are uniformly of quality. Even if the script is more than a bit hackneyed and rife with clichà (C), this is exactly what we've grown to expect from gene pictures like this, especially when they come from Disney.

It is a brand that has to maintain its reputation, no matter the cost. I've obviously bought into it. It is ever so polished and predictable. I honestly felt like the film didn't concentrate nearly enough on Secretariat though.

I never felt like I got to know the horse, at least not like I know Hachiko or Old Yeller. His mind is still somewhat of a mystery to me.