Photo Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures Dust storms and cheating horse racers can't stop Hidalgo and Aragorn ÷ I mean Hopkins ÷ from winning.

Hidalgo
Buena Vista
Rated: PG-13
136 min.
Now playing

"Hidalgo" is the story of an amazing horse with an amazing bond with Frank Hopkins, whose facial structure is equally amazing.

Set in 1890, the film ÷ supposedly based on a true story ÷ lacks fluidity. When Hopkins, played by Viggo Mortensen, and Hidalgo enter the dangerous, high-stakes, long-distance horse race in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, it's assumed the majority of the movie will focus on that plot.

Hopkins and his horse are continually warned and discouraged from entering the race. Further discouragement comes from put-downs about mixed breed mustangs like Hidalgo, in comparison to the king's purebred Arabians. But it is their determination to hold up their name as the best long-distance race team in the world that keeps them in the race.

Hopkins and Hidalgo battle thirst, hunger, heat, quicksand, booby traps and ferocious dust storms in their trek across the Sahara. These battles, however, are intertwined with side conflicts. Hopkins and Hidalgo are commissioned by the king to retrieve his daughter from the king's nemesis. Not to mention, they also fight against a scheming plot opposed to their success.

Director Joe Johnston ("Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and "Jumanji") attempts to do too much with subplots. It strays too much from the suspense of the race, which is the only thing that draws the audience in.

We don't want to see sword fighting and deception; we want to see Hopkins and Hidalgo flying through the sands of the desert to a victory over the cocky Saudi Arabians. The name of the movie is "Hidalgo" after all; that's what we pay to see.

The antecedent action takes up far too much time and leaves you saying, "I just want to see sweaty and rugged Viggo riding that horse already."

It's the tacky clichŽs like "the differences between worlds" and "acknowledging your inner self" that are the most difficult to swallow. And horses should never be the leading comedic role (except on "Mr. Ed").

Hopkins and Hidalgo fight to save their reputations as well as their Indian tribe. But this is also wrought with corny clichŽs like hiding your true face and leaving behind baggage.

The film is not all bad, though, and appeals to more than just the average horse lover. Johnston plays off America's "Lord of the Rings" obsession by drawing comparisons to seduce us. We've got a journey across lands, fight scenes (though not as grandiose), Mortensen riding a horse and the struggle to save a human race. But no short, hairy-footed heroes are in this film.

Maybe the movie isn't supposed to offer all the things it seems to be lacking. After all, it is just a story about the bond between a guy and his horse.

Without all the blockbuster special effects or an intriguing plot, what Hidalgo does offer is a heartfelt story that horse lovers like myself can relate to.