Black Beauty is a visually beautiful but in the end disappointing movie. Based on the classic novel, it was fairly highly regarded by critics, but didn't prove itself at the box office. Black Beauty has no problems with visuals. Half of the movie is taken up with wide sweeping shots of the location and endless scenes of horses running. I realize that it's about horses, but watching them run around is not what I had in mind. This movie is saturated and oozing with running horses. I also understand that you can't really get inside a horse's head for a movie, but the voice-over is below average. The voice of Black Beauty is not distinctive and only expresses certain emotions, like fear or anger, which are only demonstrated by raising his voice and talking louder. It gets very old, very fast. The acting done by the humans in the movie is adequate, but they aren't given the chance to become full characters because we're herded through the horse's life at a rapid speed. The plot moves too quickly to be as lavish and rich as the scenery. It gives us no chance to feel for any of the characters, even Black Beauty. Maybe if we didn't have to watch the horses running laps in the English countryside for an hour, there would be time to develop both plot and character. A novel concept. A warning: there are violent scenes of animal cruelty which may be too strong for some young children. The birthing scene was too much for ME to handle, let alone some wide-eyed five-year-old clutching her My Little Pony.
Final Verdict:
The movie is, essentially, pretty horses running around pretty trees, and random spots of hurried plot. If you or your child is not REALLY into horses, I wouldn't bother with this one.
Final Verdict:
The movie is, essentially, pretty horses running around pretty trees, and random spots of hurried plot. If you or your child is not REALLY into horses, I wouldn't bother with this one.