War Horse
U; Drama
Starring: Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson
Dir: Steven Spielberg
Ratings: ** (2 out of 5)

If only the magnificent opening shot of Steven Spielberg's War Horse was followed up with a story half as profound, then disappointment would not be so tangible. Shot with a truckload of affection by Janusz Kaminski, and intentionally evoking the films of John Ford, the imagery is the most compelling feature of War Horse, a maddeningly schmaltzy movie.

A still from the movie 'War Horse'

The elements are all in place - superb casting (newcomer Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson, David Thewlis, Tom Hiddleston and Sherlock's Benedict Cumberbatch), gorgeous cinematography, John Williams' lovely score; unfortunately the story never connects. War Horse falls into the clutches of long, intense 'Spielberg Stares' from nearly every character in the movie, inducing little drama that feels tiring and shallow.