Rated PG
2 hours, 30 minutes

Starring: Jeremy Paine, Emily Watson, David Thewlis

I’m sure the super intellectual reviews will find War Horse too square for their snooty tastes, but that’s their tough luck. For my money, Steven Spielberg’s sprawling anti-war epic about a boy and his horse will be one of the highpoints of your movie going year.

A remarkable animal called Joey creates conflict among a poor British farm family. From behind the camera Spielberg orchestrates a masterful visual experience. The picture’s got all the ingredients to effect you deeply. It’s 1914 and England’s at war with Germany, and the cavalry needs Joey.

With that bare bones plotline, Spielberg’s determined to give us an emotional experience that keeps tugging at our heartstrings as we marvel at his technical genius.

Let the arguments begin as to whether War Horse should rank as one of Spielberg’s finest films. It’s certainly among his most compelling work.

“War Horse” could gallop off into the sunset with a saddlebag filled with Oscars. And it goes without saying that War Horse earns itself four stars.

This Spielberg masterpiece could be one of his most memorable.