Silly Thinking
*with Jim Farris*
2011583 Curiosities served
Jim's Movie Log: "Hidalgo"
Previous Entry :: Next Entry
Read/Post Comments (0)
It's Jim's Movie Log!
Today's review: "Hidalgo"
written by Jim Farris.
Vigo Mortensen has shown himself off to good effect in “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy for the last three years and now makes a full frontal assault on action hero superstardom with “Hidalgo”. But the film is probably a little to irrelevant and juvenile for him to achieve that goal.
“Hidalgo” tells a classic western story grounded in truth (But I’ll bet it’s liberally enhanced for the screen) of a half breed cowboy who has the misfortune to be around as the wild west is calming down.
He ends up in Wild Bill Cody’s Wild West Show and is becoming a drunk when some mysterious men from the middle east appear and challenge him to a cross country horse race in the desert.
Soon we find our hero rubbing shoulders with Omar Sharif and mysterious ladies and cutthroats of all sorts in the exotic dunes of Iraq.
There he is: the classic American cowboy and his trusty horse Hidalgo in the desert with culture clash and excitement around every sand dune.
The film is played in an epic wide screen adventure kind of way but is weighted down by extra plot lines and characters that aren’t really needed; plus plenty of static dialog scenes that director Jay Johnston (“Jurassic Park 3”) can’t seem to get a handle on.
On the plus side the cinematography is magnificent and Johnston shows his flare for sweeping fast and fun action sequences, they whip by you in the desert sun so completely you want to go home and check for sand.
The classic story of a cowboy and his love for his horse is something we haven’t seen for a while, and I have to admit, like “Lassie Come Home” or Roy Rogers and Trigger, the animal is the star and I loved this horse. Hidalgo (that's the horse by the way) knows this cowboy’s shortcomings and has little patience for his drunkenness and conversation.
This horse can act.
The film also takes a good look at the native American culture and makes it an integral part of the plot while treating it with dignity and respect.
Mortensen is good but I haven’t heard an actor whisper this much since Richard Harris died. Sharif is fine in a role he’s done many times (few actors look that convincing in a turban though. Let’s face it, Sharif can pull it off) and the supporting cast (although they don’t have a whole lot to do) support with much supportive support.
This film is ideal for twelve year old boys (and girls, I guess) who are now about fifty. I don’t know if twelve year olds now will enjoy a cowboy and his horse story, they may be to busy killing prostitutes in computer games or watching Janet Jackson expose her nipple, but if they have the time they should have a nice afternoon and their parents may as well.
Today's review: "Hidalgo"
written by Jim Farris.
Vigo Mortensen has shown himself off to good effect in “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy for the last three years and now makes a full frontal assault on action hero superstardom with “Hidalgo”. But the film is probably a little to irrelevant and juvenile for him to achieve that goal.
“Hidalgo” tells a classic western story grounded in truth (But I’ll bet it’s liberally enhanced for the screen) of a half breed cowboy who has the misfortune to be around as the wild west is calming down.
He ends up in Wild Bill Cody’s Wild West Show and is becoming a drunk when some mysterious men from the middle east appear and challenge him to a cross country horse race in the desert.
Soon we find our hero rubbing shoulders with Omar Sharif and mysterious ladies and cutthroats of all sorts in the exotic dunes of Iraq.
There he is: the classic American cowboy and his trusty horse Hidalgo in the desert with culture clash and excitement around every sand dune.
The film is played in an epic wide screen adventure kind of way but is weighted down by extra plot lines and characters that aren’t really needed; plus plenty of static dialog scenes that director Jay Johnston (“Jurassic Park 3”) can’t seem to get a handle on.
On the plus side the cinematography is magnificent and Johnston shows his flare for sweeping fast and fun action sequences, they whip by you in the desert sun so completely you want to go home and check for sand.
The classic story of a cowboy and his love for his horse is something we haven’t seen for a while, and I have to admit, like “Lassie Come Home” or Roy Rogers and Trigger, the animal is the star and I loved this horse. Hidalgo (that's the horse by the way) knows this cowboy’s shortcomings and has little patience for his drunkenness and conversation.
This horse can act.
The film also takes a good look at the native American culture and makes it an integral part of the plot while treating it with dignity and respect.
Mortensen is good but I haven’t heard an actor whisper this much since Richard Harris died. Sharif is fine in a role he’s done many times (few actors look that convincing in a turban though. Let’s face it, Sharif can pull it off) and the supporting cast (although they don’t have a whole lot to do) support with much supportive support.
This film is ideal for twelve year old boys (and girls, I guess) who are now about fifty. I don’t know if twelve year olds now will enjoy a cowboy and his horse story, they may be to busy killing prostitutes in computer games or watching Janet Jackson expose her nipple, but if they have the time they should have a nice afternoon and their parents may as well.
Read/Post Comments (0)
Previous Entry :: Next Entry
Back to Top
