“Unbridled. Unbroken. Unbeaten."
Movie: Hidalgo
Rating:
Rank:
Director: Joe Johnston
Release Date: 2004
Cast: Viggo Mortensen and J.K. Simmons
This movie is based on the true story of the long distance racer Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) and his horse, Hidalgo. This movie is funny and energetic but, it could be been better. It has some very good graphics and a good plot but, with out good acting and character evolvement, this movie doesn’t do to good by me.
The movie starts out in a snow covered forest in the 1880s and Hopkins is in a long distance race, which he’s almost finished with. Then it shows his component and him racing to the finish line, which is a town. Once Hopkins arrives he’s given a letter to deliver to Wounded Knee. He then witnesses an awful experience and he later joins a Buffalo Bill circus. After one of his shows an
Arabian man challenges him to a 3,000 mile race across the Middle East. At first he declines but, his employer, Buffalo Bill Cody (J.K. Simmons), tells him to go and uphold his horse’s great name. After being encouraged by his employer, fellow co-workers, and his horse he decides to go.
If you go to this movie expecting a great flick with lots of action, you’ll be highly disappointed. It’s good, don’t get me wrong, but I expected a lot more out of this film then I got. It’s got action, humor, and some visual effects but, the acting isn’t that great. It starts out slow but, it eventually picks up. Near the end it starts to drag out, making it seem much longer then it actually is and Hopkins never really had any character evolvement.
One of the worst elements of the movie is the acting. It’s alright but, it should be better. There’s only one actor that I believe to have done well and that was Simmons. He doesn’t have a very big or great part, but he does portray it nicely. Mortensen is a good actor but, in this role, he doesn’t do too well. In my opinion the horse acted better than Viggo. Viggo just doesn’t have the ability, in my opinion, to play as a good old fashion cowboy. He could at least give a better effort or give the character a little more humor. Besides the acting, everything else in this movie is good.
I personally think this movie is best seen at home, on DVD, and not in the theatre but, if you like true stories, you might want to check this out. If you and your family have a free weekend you might want to go and see this, seeing as this is a great family flick.
I personally think that this movie got a little too much hype then it needed. I may be wrong but, when I saw the trailer I expected this movie to be a little more action packed. It has action, just not enough to keep you hooked. When you get close to the end of this movie it drags on and you start wondering if it’s going to ever end. It has a beautiful ending and some good music, I just disliked the acting everything else is good. I personally think you should what till this movie comes out on DVD but, if you have a empty weekend you want to fill then I recommend you check this out.