Hidalgo

Pros: Cinematography, action and racing sequences, family friendliness
Cons: A little bit of a stretch on the realism side, some possible negative cultural undertones

In a time where men were men and horses were horses, there lived the golden age of ultra long distance horse races. Okay, maybe not the “golden age”, but they did exist. These races were sometimes thousands of miles long, taking the lives of ...

Pros: Viggo Mortensen in tight pants...
Cons: Very minor inconsistancies.

Based on a true story, Hidalgo is about a horse of the same name and his owner Frank Hopkins. This is set during the time of Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. Hopkins is a half breed who just happens to have never lost a long distance race in ...

Pros: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, good storytelling
Cons: Infidel attitude overused; not historically accurate

Horses were a passion in the life of Frank T. Hopkins. Not only was concerned with their well-being, he loved to race them. One of his best-known horses was a mustang named Hidalgo, who helped Hopkins to win many long-distance races in the 1890s. Hopkins ...

Pros: Lots of action, great story
Cons: Mostly unknown cast, part of it is set in Iraq!

Hidalgo is the latest action/adventure film directed by Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer, Jumanji) and stars Viggo Mortensen and Omar Sharif. It is based on the true story of an American that enters a 1,000-mile horse race in the Middle East which carries a ...

Pros: Giddy-Up, Dude
Cons: Are Those Your Spurs Digging Into Me Or The Piercing That’s On Your…?

My friends, Richard and Michael (twins), and their parents took me to Hidalgo and although I really had no interest in the title (I leaned more toward Twisted or 50 First Dates) I still went anyway because I hadn’t seen a movie in ...

Pros: …
Cons: …

Hidalgo is a movie about Frank Hopkins and his horse, Hidalgo. They compete in endurance races against other people and other horses. They’re undefeated. Hopkins and Hidalgo also work for the Army, delivering orders to troops out in the field. That ...

Pros: Three scenes near the end, Omar Sharif, story
Cons: It calls itself a true story but likely is not; a few slow spots

First Preface: When I saw this film advertised, during its theatrical run, I misinterpreted the clips, and thought it had supernatural aspects, like The Mummy. I like that kind of movie, so I bought it, when it was released. There is ...

Pros: Fun and a novel plotline.
Cons: An undertone of less than the truth.

Remember that excited TV reporter with the mustache who seems to specialize in doing funny things with the truth? The guy that had the goods on Al Capone’s Treasure chamber which turned out to be empty? The guy that made all the army people mad when ...

Pros: Location, action scenes
Cons: Cliches, credibility gaps

Set in the late nineteenth century, "Hidalgo" is the "based on true story" of Frank Hopkins, an American cowboy who is invited to take part in a dangerous 3,000 mile race across the Arabian desert. As with all "based on true" stories, the "based" part ...

Pros: Viggo Mortensen, Omar Sharif, enjoyable flick
Cons: Some noticeable errors, occasionally cliched.

"Viggo is still the king!" proclaimed one reviewer, according to commercials advertising Viggo Mortensen's big starring turn in Hidalgo. Set in 1890, the once and future King of Gondor plays Frank Hopkins, a half Native American and half Caucasian ...

Pros: Very good acting, engrossing story, beautiful horses, surprisingly good cinematography & scenery.
Cons: Subtitles a little too quick; Viggo has impossible eye color for 50% American Indian.

From the previews I saw in the theater, and on other videos we’d rented, I had decided I wouldn’t even bother with this movie. Somehow it looked corny and unrealistic from those few overblown scenes. Well, whoever put the trailer/preview ...

Pros: Proves a movie doesn't have to have sex and profanity to be good!!
Cons: Viggo Mortensen doesn't cut down Orcs or speak Elvish. Oh well!!!

It was the Friday of spring break, and I wanted to go see a movie. The decision was, well… interesting. I could go see The Return of the King (for the third time!), or I could see Hidalgo. I decided to watch Hidalgo. I am very happy that I saw this movie ...

Pros: Acting, pacing
Cons: How accurate is it? And does that even matter?

This movie advertised forever before it came out! I thought it had played and I had missed it. I am so glad I didn't. This is a wonderful film about a boy and his horse. This is one of those heartwarming films about personal growth and yet it is a ...

Pros: Viggo Mortensen and the horse are marvelous on the screen together
Cons: Distracts itself at times, but the scenes make for good character development

I was a fan of Viggo Mortensen's even before the Lord of the Rings trilogy hit the screen. Having seen him previously in such fare as G.I. Jane (hated the movie but enjoyed his character), A Walk on the Moon with Diane ...

Pros: Viggo Mortensen, some of the action sequences, beautiful scenery
Cons: inconsistent story, too unbelievable, no sense of direction

What does a motion picture essentially need to be successful? Is it eye-popping special effects? A sovereign leading man? A rousing and inspirational story that attracts people from a wide variety of demographic backgrounds? Well, yes, but now adays ...