Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (2002)

If there's something I remembered about Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron before rewatching it --other than the romance between the two horses-- was liking it when I was a kid. Now all I can do is wonder how this movie even get an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Film.

Spirit (Matt Damon) is a young Mustang which grows up to become the leader of his herd. One day, out of curiosity, he deciedes to explore a camp of cowboys but he is captured and a vicious Colonel (James Cromwell) tries to train and break him. It's will the help of a young native man Little Creek (Daniel Studi) that he manages to escape and the two embark on a journey together. 

The story is simple and straightforward and really nothing we haven't seen before. It also unfolds very slowly and it isn't the most compelling of the stories. And yet it's a sweet story about an animal with so much heart, he will fight for his freedom and the others no matter what. It's the type of story that touches many important themes --love, hope, courage, freedom, slavery-- but doesn't explore them as it should.

If there's something Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron deserves to be praised for is the dialogue, its lack of it. When it comes to animated film, talking animals are everywhere but not in here. The film's animal characters don't speak human, they communicate with each other (and with humans) through sounds or body langauge, and it really works here. Matt Damon's narration of Spirit's points of view works well too.

DreamWorks Pictures

As for the characters, there isn't a lot of work there, but at least they are likable and you really root for them. The villain is a whole different story. In my opinion, he doesn't have enough screen time to be really effective. He is forgettable. 

The animation isn't that great either. It leaves a lot to be desired to be honest but overall it looks nice and it catpres the feel of the old west well.