Hidalgo

While this movie from director Joe Johnston features some beautiful horses and a nice performance from Viggo Mortensen, it is overlong and a bit silly in the head. Mortensen stars in the allegedly true story of Frank Hopkins, a Pony Express rider who supposedly competed in the Ocean of Fire, a 3,000 mile endurance race across the Arabian Desert. The race itself has its moments, but the events that lead up to it, as well as events within that distract, reduce the suspense. At over two hours, the film doesn’t work and screams for an editing job. Hidalgo, played by a beautiful mustang, is an amazing looking animal with wide eyes that seem to be saying “Hey, let’s get a move on! This film is dragging ass!”