(rated G, 82 mins.)
There’s nothing more graceful than a horse galloping with flowing mane and in “Stallion” it’s depicted with swooping-fluid perfection. This one from Dreamworks (not since Disney’s “Lion King” has anyone tackled animals so honestly), an original horse tale of a wild and rambunctious mustang stallion journeying through the untamed American frontier. Encountering man for the first time, Spirit defies being broken, even as he develops a remarkable friendship with a young Lakota brave named Little Creek. There’s no horsin’ around in this tale that is a departure from the usual kiddie fare with moments on branding, bullet injury and inhumane treatment of horses (though nothing is visual on screen). Grownups will enjoy this part history lesson, part love story; an event to share with the entire family. Spirit is narrated by Matt Damon with the voice of James Cromwell (Babe) as the Cavalry colonel determined to break this defiant mustang. (sidenote: the horses don’t speak). Award winning music by Hans Zimmer (The Lion King) and Grammy/Oscar winning Bryan Adams accompany much of the storyline minus dialog with a feeling of “Fantasia” thrown in.
