Sayonara Sequels

[jackhammer91406]

Seabiscuit

In a summer of disappointing sequels and overall Ho hum movies (Pirates of the Carribean being an exception), there's finally an intelligent movie to enjoy. At 2 hrs 20 minutes, what might seem long to some, is actually a carefully crafted piece that uses a documentary style in the opening 1/3 of the film, (even using the narrator David McCollough who voiced Ken Burns' CIVIL WAR). In a leisurely exposition, the film establishes the era and the lives of four wounded human spirits and one broken down horse. Uniformly solid performances from Tobey McGuire, Jeff Bridges, Chris Cooper (LONESOME DOVE) and William H. Macey all meld together to make what is arguably the summer's best big studio movie. A pleasant score by Randy Newman (THE NATURAL< PARENTHOOD) adds warmth to the overall effect. It has been sometime since I sat in a darkened theater at an afternoon matinee and heard a loud round of applause in appreciation of a good film. A very pleasant afternoon.

[+ Lucky]

"It has been sometime since I sat in a darkened theater at an afternoon matinee and heard a loud round of applause in appreciation of a good film. A very pleasant afternoon."

 

Were you in the back row again?

 

Personally, I thought the first 1/3 was a real yawner. The film is a beauty to look at, but Chris Cooper's character is flat and the wife is clearly there solely for the eye candy. If it weren't for Toby McGuire this film would sink really fast. Instead it ever so slowly gains momentum to the point where it is enjoyable. You are right, it could be a lot shorter. At least, that's my opinion.

[Guest VanBCGuy]

I thought the movie was a very good effort. As someone who at one time was a part owner of a racehorse, I thought the racing scenes were realistic, and they didn't take too many liberties with the facts.

 

I liked the character Silent Tom, the trainer, unlike Lucky. I thought he was the best in the film. The start was slow, but for me that didn't detract from the movie, but the first third could have been pared down a bit.

 

On thing that was left out was any mention of BETTING. Where there no gambling involved, the match race would have been attended by dozens, not tens of thousands.

[Guest fukamarine]

I too ducked into the air conditioned comfort of a darkened theatre - not so much as to see the movie but to escape the heat. I must say, I did not think it was a wasted 2 hours. Quite entertaining, although Toby McG does NOTHING for me. I thought the end was a bit abrupt and somewhat disapointing.

 

fukamarine