review by Sascha Brittner
War Horse 2011
Watched Feb 26, 2012
Sascha Brittner’s review:
I really want to give this film 5 stars but I can't because of the following two reasons:
1. Everyone speaks English. Why would you cast native speakers and let them speak English? Tarantino has done it. You can do it too, Steven. When the two soldiers come together to save Joey, it would've been so much more powerful if they didn't communicate verbally but just by the fact that they're human beings born in different countries but still can overcome their differences and language barriers to help an innocent creature.
2. This film is so god-awful clean. I couldn't believe I was watching a war movie by the same man that has directed Saving Private Ryan. When soldiers die, they fall down in the mud. No blood, no bullet entry points, nothing. Of course, Spielberg is a master and his image of horses galloping without their riders across the German MGs is much more powerful than just seeing them die. However, when the English rush through No Man's Land, show the horror - or you don't do these men and their sacrifices justice.
I understand that it's a difficult job. Hell! Making a movie about a horse's journey is one hell of difficult job. That and rating/budget-problems are a risk, but in the end, it would have been worth it.
Other than that, perfect Spielberg porn. Williams should win the Oscar.
It's a children's film, that explains those things, but, of course, doesn't really justify them - they could, and should have still been avoided.
Don't want to see this film. My wife doesn't like the war and I don't like the horse.
It's not a children's film. Not exclusively, at least. You just can't say that only because it's based on a book for children. You always find the theme of childish wonder in Spielbergs film, it's his trademark and what made him big in the first place. You could argue that it explains the PG rating but not the actual content of the movie. If you decide to portray war, go the full way. Cutting it because you want to retain a PG-Rating is capital bullshit.
And you should definately give it a try, Xander. I didn't have a particular interest in the movie or the horse other than that it's made by Spielberg and features a score by Williams, for which I mainly came. In the end, I stayed for the story and the horse.
Yeah, I don't think it IS a children's film, either, but it was intended as such. Or at least to be suitable for kids as well. You can see that from the subtle "censoring". But I agree with you anyway.
Point No. 1 is very interesting. Yes, your're right in some way, but this doesn't disturbs me as much as you.
In the play they two soldiers can't understand each other which leads to some light comedy and them resorting to physical communication. Since film is about visuals, it is weird and disappointing Spielberg made the Germans speak English. The scene with the American and German conversing was already done for him in play form, it could have been adapted easily!
Yeah, a real shame.