Preview: War Horse (2011)

Synopsis:

Based on the popular novel about a boy and his horse thrust into the midst of The Great War.

• Poster: B+

Review:

Any fan of horses will love this poster and it's such a simple image, but the colors are warm and inviting. There's just enough hints of the type of film and setting to make this a well-rounded poster.

• Trailer: C; A

Review:

It looks all too familiar. The music feels out of place and the plot seems rather vague and uninteresting. The visuals look solid, though.

Some cutting, an expansion of plot elements and some wonderful music have turned what could have been a lackluster film (if you based it solely off the first trailer) into what could end up being one of the years best. Easily.

Oscar Prospects:

This is one of the year's big Oscar question marks. It's been three year's since Spielberg's colossal flop Indiana Jones 4 and six year since he last had an Oscar contender (Munich). This film has all the pathos he could need to be a big winner (or at least big nominee) this year. He had just better hope it's not as mediocre as the trailer.

Release Date:

• December 25, 2011

Full Review Synopsis:

I have not seen this film.

-Wesley Lovell (July 3, 2011) Original

-Wesley Lovell (October 23, 2011) New Trailer; New Poster

-Wesley Lovell (December 18, 2011) New Release Date (changed from 12/28/11)