Movie Review: ‘Spirit Untamed’
NEW YORK (CNS) — Where horses are concerned, pedigree is important, and the equine-themed animated adventure "Spirit Untamed" (Universal) comes with a multimedia pedigree.
It descends from both the 2002 film "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" and the ongoing Netflix series "Spirit Riding Free," which first aired in 2017.
Amazingly surprising, the new feature — directed by Alain Bogan with co-director Ennio Torresson Jr. — is also family-friendly. Accordingly, it can be recommended to everyone except small fry, who may find its action sequences too frightening.
Like its predecessors, "Spirit Untamed" takes viewers back to an era when wild horses still roamed the West. This time, however, the humans who interact with them experience healing from their own pain, even as they try to save the majestic beings from a group of evil people.
Young Lucky Prescott (voiced by Isabella Merced) lives in the big city with his Aunt Cora (voiced by Julianne Moore) and his grandfather, James (voice of Joe Hart). But he is clearly unhappy.
Like his mother, Milagro (voice of Eiza Gonzalez), a stunt rider whose risk-taking career ended in a fatal accident, Lucky has a rebellious streak. After her actions ruin her chance to be elected governor of Grandad, Lucky is sent to Miradero, the small frontier town where she was born and where her father, Jim (voice of Jake Gyllenhaal), still lives. Huh.
In the train journey to Miradero, Lucky takes in awe the vast open spaces. And, she is left speechless when a band of indomitable horses, led by Title's Mustang, follow along.
Initially, however, Lucky, of urban origin, finds it difficult to adjust to his new surroundings. But her search for the local rodeo begins to change all that—especially after Prue Granger (voice of Mersai Martin), one of its residents, introduces Lucky to a now-captive spirit. Lucky is sympathetic to the soul's hilarious restlessness and two bonds.
Back home, meanwhile, Jim grapples with the demands of parenthood. Her grief for Milagro prompts her to hide her memories, though Lucky's discovery of her mother's hidden, memento-filled dressing room only fueled her interest in Milagro's achievements – and her desire to ride. Desire, which Jim refuses.
Jim gets some parenting advice from his best friend, Prue's dad Al (voiced by André Brueger). "Daughters!" The latter said, "You need to earn their trust a little at a time."
After the same villains who put an end to Spirit's freedom capture a new group of wild horses, Lucky, Pru and one of Lucky's new friends, Abigail (voice of McKenna Grace), set out to free the beasts. band together. The perilous quest on which the girls set out wreaks havoc on their parents' nerves. But it at least inspires Jim to act like a responsible father.
Screenwriters Ory Wallington, Kristin Hahn and Katherine Nolfi work on themes relevant to younger audiences in their screenplays, including the importance of friendship, teamwork, respect for nature, education, and the love of family. The ethnic diversity of his characters - and that of the cast - is another plus.
Overall, few would like to reject the so-loving neighbor-sayer as a spirit.
There are dangerous situations in the film. The Catholic News Service classification is A-I - General Protection. Motion Picture Association rating is PG - Suggested parental guidance. Some material may not be suitable for children.