Young Black Stallion

The scenery is superb! The characters are portrayed in a life-like manner. Neera and Black proved excellent! However, I was a little disappointed with the set-up of the story. It was slow-going for the first 30-minutes. It was great for the next 15-minutes. Then it was over. I felt that what I saw in the advertisement on the Disney channel is actually the entire movie. Wonderful story. I would have liked the beginning to have been shorter and the excitement last a little longer. After the movie I stated outloud, "That's it?"

I understand that this movie is made for kids and as a parent I have sat through many movies that don't particularly hold my interest, but I can appreciate from a constructive point of view in how it is being received by my children. Parents are supposed to be encouraged after all to take part in their children's activities and to monitor the quality of the entertainment that they view so there should be something that appeals to an adult audience on some level even in children's movies. Disney has always understood this which is why it is so hard to fathom how it could allow such a complete piece of drek to bear their name.

Technically, the sound editing is horrible and all dialog sounds over-dubbed and unnatural. Personally I hate that, but it was doubly awful considering the dialog itself seemed as though it was written by a 12 year old for a school project. The "acting" reminded me of a school play and none of the child actors had any range of emotion in their voices. Thankfully it was a very short movie.

Now, before I come off like a video-geek measuring a kids movie with an adult yard stick, the one thing that can save even the worst children's movie is a positive message. Far be it from me to determine how a message has to be delivered so long as the right one is. Let us take a walk through this film to see what messages are given:

If you are lost, don't worry, you will inevitably find your way home.

Approach wild animals without any fear.

You can win any competition just because you "know" you can.

and my favorite, the final message left in the film:

It's okay to disobey authority figures and do what you think is right.

This movie, no question is a very beautifully shot movie. Much like The Black Stallion of 1979 was. The horses were amazing too and the horse race was fun. The score was very nice. I enjoy this movie, and put it on often when I need something simple to watch. That's the key, this movie is simple. Although the acting annoys me, I still find myself coming back to this movie for that reason. It's under an hour long, it's simple and right to the point. In this movie, I think it works beautifully.

I am a Walter Farley Fan and have been since I was 5 years old. Have read every one of his books MULTIPLE times and now am saving them for my young grandsons to enjoy. Because of this early exposure to the grand adventures of the Black and his get, horses became part of my free-time life; moved to Montana because of it and raised Arabs as a pacifier.

The Black's Dam's name is actually Aisha. She was a Chestnut and the horses chosen for the several "The Black" movies have accurately portrayed Walter Farley's descriptions. Not being critical and am very pleased that others have enjoyed the series as much as I.

I love this short movie. Its a simple girl and horse film but special. A girl lost in the desert finds a young colt. They become friends as they wander. . . Patriarchal standards block her potential.

So, how is it special?

First, the cinematography in the desert is awe-inspiring, heart- heartbreakingly beautiful. Second, Biana Tamimi (Neera), who is not an actress, but an equestrian, is a joy to watch. I enjoy her amateurish acting and girlish enthusiasm. Third, The costumes are beautiful, even if I have no idea if they are authentic. Neera's hijab even looks beautiful. Fourth, the villains, especially the one in the black beard, are villainously delightful. And last, The race course is the most difficult I've seen on film and the horse race the toughest I have ever seen, made especially heart-stopping because we know the stakes for Neera.

I agree with other reviewers that the film seemed too short. I could have easily watched more of Neera wandering through the desert looking for water, and more training in her secret valley.