There are so many positives that can be highlighted from this film.  The acting, the music, the writing, and the cinematography: it is all fantastic.  The script takes the time to introduce the audience to so many different characters who all have the joy or misfortune of encountering Joey.  The time that is taken to develop each character is something that most movies today lack and it is something to truly appreciate.  Jeremy Irvine is fantastic as Albert, when he hurts you hurt…when he rejoices you rejoice.  The film is chock full of emotion and it is very easy to get wrapped up in that emotion, which in my estimation is one sign of a great film.  This film breaks down the screen and brings the audience into the film.

The look and feel of War Horse can be greatly attributed to the wonderful cinematography and score.  John Williams does a fantastic job, as he usually does, with the score.  The score is subtle when it needs to be and powerful when it should be.  The look of the film is unique, the richness of the colors in the countryside and the coldness of the colors in the battle field is so well done.  Spielberg took the time to pay extra attention to the lighting and color of each and every shot.  The result of that careful touch is a plethora of stunning visuals.

Any review of War Horse is not complete without a mention of the horse.  The horse (in fact 14 different horses) that portrayed Joey is so adorable and admirable, the emotion that animal is able to convey to the audience was incredible.  The horse moved me to tears with its emotion for its fellow horses and the humans in the film.  Spielberg and his team did a terrific job of capture the raw emotion of Joey and this is an animal that audiences are sure to fall in love with.

War Horse is the reason that I go to the movies; it is a complete film that was a joy to experience.  It was the best time that I have had at the movies in 2011 and will be a film that I will enjoy for many years to come.

5 out of 5 stars!