Hidalgo Review

"Hidalgo" reviews

Movie

Hidalgo

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2006-09-21 22:22:18

Rating

3/5

Provider

CinemaSource

Review

Can Viggo Mortensen carry a movie as well as his trusty steed Hidalgo carries him on a race across the desert? You betcha, partner.

Story

A movie supposedly based on a true story and definitely custom-made for horse lovers, Hidalgo ambles along at a leisurely pace, taking a full two hours and 20 minutes to tell the story of a man, Frank T. Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen); his horse, Hidalgo (T.J.); and their attempt to win the famed 3000-mile ''Ocean of Fire'' endurance race across the Arabian Desert in the 1890s. (We use the phrase ''supposedly'' true because although the filmmakers claim the story is meticulously researched, certain Arab groups claim no such race ever existed. Certainly Hopkins himself lived, but the rest is up for debate. Ah, Hollywood, can we not have one film this season that doesn't stir up controversy with someone?) At any rate, Hopkins' reasons for entering the alleged race are many, but mainly he's running from himself. The son of a Native American woman and a white man, he's never been able to come to terms with his mixed heritage. Since the Ocean of Fire race has always been exclusively open only to a) men, b) Arabs and c) purebred Arabian horses, Hopkins' efforts to prove himself--and his mustang--form the movie's underlying theme, which is typical Disney fare: It's not about who you are or where you came from; it's all about heart.

Acting

With his standout turn as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Mortensen achieved heartthrob status, but the big question everyone's asking about Hidalgo is whether or not he can carry a movie on his own. The answer is a resounding yes. When there's action to be had, Mortensen looks like a real pro. He's got the cowboy drawl down pat; shoots a Colt .45 with confidence; delivers sharp one-liners like a kinder, gentler Clint Eastwood; and has a great seat on a horse. Even when the movie gets a little slow--and it does, a 3000-mile desert race will do that to a movie--Mortensen's onscreen appeal saves the day. There is, of course, a supporting cast of characters who either help our hero in his quest: Sheikh Riyadh (Omar Sharif), who challenges Hopkins to enter the race but ultimately becomes his friend, and the Sheikh's daughter, Jazira (Zuleikha Robinson), a rider herself but prohibited from entering because she's a woman. Obstacles, of course, also abound: There's Lady Anne Davenport (Louise Lombard), who needs her mare to win the race so she can breed her to the Sheikh's Arabian stud, El Attal, the purest stud of the purest bloodline in the world. She wouldn't mind if Hopkins dropped out of the race--or into her bed.

Direction

There's no question that director Joe Johnston's (Jurassic Park III) production of Hidalgo was a massive undertaking: Eight hundred horses, plus camels, vultures, falcons, rabbits, goats, dogs, donkeys, leopards and buffalo are featured in the film, along with a re-creation of a Wild West show, the massacre at Wounded Knee, a locust swarm and a desert sandstorm. The locations spanned the globe, from the Arabian Desert (shot in Morocco), to the sprawling ranchlands of the American West, to the New York City docks. All in all, it's a well put together visual display and, like its star, it feels authentic. The dialogue, from scribe John Fusco (Young Guns I and II, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron) is engaging, if occasionally a little sappy; the relationships (especially between Hopkins and Hidalgo) are meaningful and well presented; and the action scenes are fast-paced and exciting. Trouble is, interspersed are somewhat long expanses of time during which too little actually happens, which makes the film seem longer than it needed to be.

Bottom Line

Hidalgo is a good, if long, story about a man and his horse, and it's worth seeing even though its length may leave you a little saddle sore.

Movie

HIDALGO

Author

anonymous

Date reviewed

2005-10-25 21:43:20

Provider

MRIB

Review

Viggo Mortensen made women around the world swoon as Aragorn in Lord Of the Rings. Now, in this adventure from Jurassic Park III director Joe Johnston Viggo is sans sword but still on horseback, as he rides into the history books.

Based on an allegedly true story, Hidalgo is the story of Frank T. Hopkins, a haunted hero of the old west whose best days are behind him. Once famous for his legendary performances in long distance endurance races, Frank now spends his days feeding a drink habit by working for Buffalo Bill's travelling wild west show. When the chance for one last race - and a shot at some personal redemption - is offered, Frank and his trusty steed (the titular Hidalgo) board a steamer and head for Arabia and the gruelling 3000 mile Ocean Of Fire race.

Themes of honour, acceptance and salvation are explored and Hidalgo is a solid enough adventure. Mortensen is strong in the lead with epic and sweeping views of the desert in support , inspiring memories of Peter O'Toole's Lawrence Of Arabia. The casting of Omar Sharif as the Sheikh bankrolling the race is inspired too, as he brings powerful acting gravitas to the production. And anyone with an affinity for equines will love the sight of these immaculate horses at full tilt.

However, when a horse falls it can be fatal, and that's true for a movie too. This film isn't sure what it is: a drama, one part action adventure (Viggo even gets a little Indiana Jonesy about halfway in) another part introspective soul-searcher(!) and yet another (and final) part forbidden romance - the viewer gets overloaded and the film ends up being none of the above! It's enjoyable nonetheless, but John Fusco's script would certainly have benefited from focussing on just one or two of the many threads.

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