If You Really Love Horses...

Horse lovers young and old will celebrate this utterly enjoyable and marvelous-looking animated film. The titular stallion runs free in the Cimarron (New Mexico) wilderness until a series of men try to master the proud horse, leading to adventures through a U.S. Cavalry fort, Native American settlements, and a railroad camp. Despite a heavy dose of political correctness and realism (the animals don't talk; we only hear Spirit's internal monologue, voiced by Matt Damon), directors Kelly Asbury and Lorna Cook give their hero many only-in-a-movie moments, including an action sequence rivaling any of Rambo's escapes. The stirring mix of 2-D and 3-D animation is absolutely stunning and aptly fueled by composer Hans Zimmer's synthesized score. The film earns one demerit for '80s rocker Bryan Adams's abundant songs--a different singer could have brought more to the film. Rated G but there is some rough treatment of horses shown, so nix the sensitive preschoolers.--Doug Thomas

Cast: Matt Damon, James Cromwell, Zahn McClarnon, Charles Napier, Donald Fullilove, John Rubano, Daniel Studi, Jeff LeBeau, Matt Levin, Adam Paul, Meredith Wells, Michael Horse, Richard McGonagle, Robert Cait, Chopper Bernet

Director: Kelly Asbury

Genre: Drama, Family

Release Date: May 24, 2002

MPAA Rating: G

Runtime: 1hr 22min