Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron

Whoa Nelly! Not since Black Beauty told his tale of life as a cart pony have horses had a chance to air their side of the story. Now the rise and fall of the Old West is about to be seen through a whole new set of eyes -- ones set on the side of the head!

Narrated by Matt Damon, Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron follows a young equine who watches over his little brood of mares until a curious red glow catches his attention. Leaving the herd in the care of his mother, Spirit takes off across the valley to investigate. Unfortunately, he's unfamiliar with the US Cavalry or with their soldiers on the hunt for four-legged recruits.

Before long he finds himself enlisted under the command of a hard-nosed Colonel (voice by James Cromwell) who isn't about to let the pony go unbroken for long. After three days in the hot sun without food or water, the mustached commander takes to the saddle with his spurs and crop. But just when the officer thinks he's tamed this bronco, another captive at the fort helps Spirit (and the rest of the army's mounts) make an escape.

Taking him back to his village, Little Creek (voice by Daniel Studi) makes his own attempt to tame this wild charger with gentler tactics, but Spirit is determined to get back to his herd hiding in the mountains.

Set to songs by Canadian artist Bryan Adams, this film (with scenes of running horses and flowing manes) occasionally teeters on the line between music video and animated story. Although the horses don't sing, or even talk for that matter, their exaggerated eyebrows express more emotion than most critters I've encountered.

Gunfire aimed at humans and horses, along with the rough handling of animals at the fort and in the work camp, are concerns parents should consider before galloping off the theater with their young horse lovers. However, the musical messages of courage and personal worth could still have a positive impact with a little gentle reining in.