Film Reviews

Spirit - Stallion of the Cimarron

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: James Cromwell
• Details: US / 82 minutes / (G).

Unlike say Shrek or Monsters Inc., Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is an old fashioned animated film in style, delivery and content. As you might have guessed, the action follows the title character, Spirit (voiced by Matt Damon), a young stallion of the Cimarron plains who is captured by an unscrupulous Colonel of the United States Calvary. Realising that he has a fine, albeit wild, animal in his hands, the unnamed Colonel (James Cromwell on vocal duties) attempts to tame the beast and break his spirit. But like a Native Indian boy, who has also been captured by these ne'er-do-wells, Spirit won't go gently.
Although it was produced (as the promotional material proudly boasts) by the makers of Shrek, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron has a curious old skool Disney feel to it. In light of recent efforts, the hand drawn animation feels staid and complacent - no matter how much cash they spent on it - and the simplistic story has precious little in the way of humour or freshness. Admittedly, the younger viewers will lap it up, but if you're over the age of 12, don't along expecting another Shrek. You won't find it here.

Review by Garreth Murphy