Back a few months ago, when buzz for early Oscar contenders was first starting to build, analysts were absolutely giddy concerning Steven Spielberg’s upcoming World War I epic, even though it would oddly enough focus on an equine. While Spielberg is normally associated with extra-terrestrial subject matter, no one can deny that the man is insanely talented anytime he tackles warfare or war-time periods…case-in-point: Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List. However, in spite of possessing all the early makings of an award-winner, I wasn’t entirely sold on War Horse, and the attached teaser trailers did little to assuage my skepticism. Not only was the main face associated with the film a no-name, but the only plot elements shown involved little more than an isolated horse running and dodging artillery on a war-torn battlefield; Spielberg is good, but promotions seemed to indicate that he had very little material with which to work his cinematic magic. In fact, the only thing compelling me to see and review War Horse involved the fact that critics were raving and labeling the film a new classic…clearly, I had to verify whether the film was actually good or critics were simply acting as “yes” men to the legendary director.
In its entirety, I did enjoy War Horse, and I can fully appreciate the impressive production design, the beautiful cinematography, and the experienced direction, but that does not change the fact that it takes nearly an hour for any of these accolades to appear. For easily the first half-hour to forty minutes, nothing definitive happens in War Horse, with the dialogue and score trying way too hard to build some semblance of emotional attachment with the audience…a horse pulls a plow, that’s about it. Thankfully, the film starts to live up to its title once it finally introduces the warfare framing devices and the titular horse begins integrating into distinct, yet interconnected narratives that highlight the human sacrifices of war. Each of the battle sequences are as gripping as they are sobering, and that fact combines with the mature script to only further detail why Spielberg has had unparalleled success. If you can make it through the lagging and extended introduction, then War Horse will reward you with a very engaging drama.
Overall Recommendation: High
