Review of War Horse (2011) by Joel R — 28 Dec 2013

Emilie (Celine Buckens): And you've never done a brave thing in your life?

Grandfather (Niels Arestrup): Maybe there are different ways to be brave. Did you know the.

French have the best carrier pigeons? And this could be the difference in the war - our messages getting through.

Emilie (Celine Buckens): I don't want to hear about the birds.

Grandfather (Niels Arestrup): They are released at the front and told to go home - this is all they know. But to get there they must fly over war. Can you imagine such a thing? Here you are flying over so much pain and terror - and you know you can never look down. You have to look forward or you'll never get home. I ask you - what could be braver than that?

The only reason I wanted to check this movie out was because I saw Tom Hiddleston's name among the cast (and I think he awesome). But it turns out this film not only boasted the wonderful Mr. Hiddleston (who played Captain Nicholls brilliantly) but also ubber talented Benedict Cumberbatch (who played Major Stewart) and my all-time favorite actor David Thewlis (who played dreadful landowner Lyons). Although, I have to admit everyone of the cast members did splendidly, especially the horse, and made a seemingly silly story about a boy and his horse to be one of the most emotional and endearing films I have had the pleasure of viewing this year. Not only was the story beautifully told but it was able to balance the horrors and cruelty of war along with some dark humor (the wire cutter scene comes to mind was probably my favorite part of the entire film). Practically everything about this film was perfectly executed (kudos to Mr. Spielberg) with one notable exception-- the ending. What the heck was he thinking? It looks reminiscent of a scene in "Gone with the Wind"-- shot on a sound-stage with an impossibly bright, orangey-red sunset and the characters in silhouettes. I mean, I understand the need for artistic expression but that scene just seemed so cheap and out of place, compared to some of the rich cinematography throughout the film. But other than that, this movie was a definite masterpiece.