linoschwenke

I really enjoyed the first 3 seasons. The writing stayed true to the core storyline and moved along nicely through the main and side plots/stories. There was always plenty of action and progress to keep it moving. I'd give seasons 1-3 a rating of 8/10. Season 4 slows down a bit but still keeps it interesting enough although it is definitely more focused on being cowboys in the storyline which becomes a bit boring. I give season 4 a rating of 6/10. The first half of season 5 was worse. I found the Summer addition good with the Beth conflict but annoying outside of that I found her addition flat along with the annoying character Monica who is a perpetual mess and does stupid stuff you can't believe which is very annoying. Kayce seems to butterfly all over the place like a lost child which makes the annoying Monica situation even more frustrating. The action drops down in season 5 which I didn't like but it was still there and enough to keep me in the game. I rate the first part of season 5 a 5/10.

Finally season 5 part 2 was terrible. I think I know why the story jerks back and forth with the Kevin Costner limitation but it's terrible viewing mode worse by the extreme difference in the two timelines. You are clumsily jerks back and forth with no distinguishing features for the timeline. One minute everyone is distraught, then it jumps to everything ok and laughing, dancing and normality. It's unsettling, annoying and extremely frustrating. I understand the limitation but it should have been done a lot better. To make it worse they gap fill the lazy story writing. Constant stagnant scenes that drag on way longer than they should. Way too much just watching horses or cowboys meander around or lazily drone on. Worse it picks up to a crazy and brutal crescendo at the end going from a constant slow meander to a mach 10 over speed. I love Rip and Beth and even Jamie, and the rest of the cast are solid and authentic (except for some Monica and Kayce annoying parts) but even their charactes seemed tired and stale. Honestly the 2nd half of season 5 was awful due to the script/story writing and I guess directors have to take some of the blame. I give season 5 part 2 a rating of 2/10.

Solid acting and the story line with the dog and the race is riveting and very engaging. To know that most of it really happened is an amazing story. The struggles of the race along with the emotional roller coaster towards the end is brilliant and very enjoyable. It is a feel good film which I loved and it is telegraphed so you should be prepared for it. Mark Wahlberg is brilliant as the lead but the supporting cast were also from unique and easy to watch. The race is amazing and it is a thrill just watching the race event unfold and they do a great job of showcasing some of the obvious challenges and physical and mental obstacles (or torture) they would go through. All up a fun and feel good movie to watch and enjoy.