Maybe for the first time all year, you’ve got enough free time to get out and see a movie. Over the break, we’ll provide occasional “quick takes” on movies we’ve seen, briefly covering what we liked, what we didn’t like, and whether it’s worth your time and money. Today: War Horse.
War Horse, both the play and this film adaptation, has been the talk of the town this year. I simply don't get the hype. It's an exceedingly sentimental tale about a meager horse that somehow overcomes its weaknesses to become a valiant member of the British forces during World War I. The play -- which earned rave reviews and uncanny word-of-mouth traction after it premiered on the West End in 2009 and, after moving to Broadway last spring (when I saw it), won 5 Tony Awards, including Best Play -- relies heavily on puppeteers who inhabit life-size marionette horses. Spielberg obviously casts this gimmick aside for the film, but replaces it with other contrivances.
