 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hidalgo
- Review Date: August 1, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Western
- 2004
Common Sense Media says
Formulaic, overly simple, too violent for tweens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has a lot of violence, including swords, knives, and guns. We see the result of the massacre of Native Americans at Wounded Knee, with dead bodies everywhere. Characters and horses are shot, impaled, stabbed, and beheaded and one is threatened with castration. There are many tense scenes of peril, including quicksand. Characters drink, and Hopkins develops a drinking problem. A character smokes a hookah. There is some strong language and some crude humor. A woman offers Hopkins money and sex to get him to throw the race. The problem of prejudice against women and against those of other races, particularly mixed races, is a theme of the movie.
What's the story?
In 1890, courier Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortenson) and his dappled mustang Hidalgo were the undefeated champions of endurance riding competitions, races of hundreds, even thousands of miles. After Hopkins delivers a dispatch that leads to the massacre of Native Americans at Wounded Knee, he starts drinking, stops racing, and gets a job re-enacting cowboy and Indian battles in the Buffalo Bill show. Then he is challenged to compete in the world's oldest endurance race, a 3000 mile race across the Arabian desert. Also entering the competition is a horse owned by a powerful Shiekh (Omar Sharif), for whom winning is a matter of pride, and one owned by a titled Englishwoman (Louise Lombard), for whom it is a matter of money. A win would give her access to the finest thoroughbred Arabians for breeding. Hopkins and Hidalgo face treacherous conditions and even more treacherous competitors. A sandstorm, locusts, quicksand, and a detour to rescue a kidnapped princess provide many opportunities for swashbuckling action and spectacular cinematography.
Is it any good?
The action and scenery of HIDALGO are entertaining. But the script is overly simple and formulaic. It's too violent for a PG audience, but not thoughtful or original enough for a PG-13 audience. There is a lot for the eyes, but not enough for the heart.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why Hopkins was so conflicted about his heritage and how his experience in the race made him understand it differently. They might want to look this tribute to "the legend of Frank Hopkins" and comments like these from historians who say that he fabricated his stories.
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AGE
Great action
Hidalgo is a great action movie. There is violance with knives, swords, and guns but i thought it was great. there are 2 parts that will make all horse lovers cry. there is reference to castration but it is funny. (if you see it you'll know what i mean)
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AGE
Enjoyable "western" in the East
I am surprised by some of the negative reviews! This is a GREAT old-fashioned "western" - the hero doesn't even kiss the girl. OK - some violence, but not as graphic as stuff they see on TV. The wounded knee imagery (bodies on the ground AFTER the massacre) are disturbing - but food for discussion. The castration reference went over the head of my 7 year old. I am careful with what he watches, and though he was scared/nervous at spots, we all enjoyed it. We did, however, watch it on television, so I don't know what was edited out.
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AGE
Good Movie
This movie was good! There were 2 castration referances but they were harmless and funny! (watch the movie you will know what I mean) There was no sex in this movie because he turned it down thinking it immoral. This movie was very good and it was hardly
PG-13 and should have been PG! I have seen tons worse PG movies that should have been PG-13 but this should have been PG -- wow aren't movie ratings getting all mixed up these days!
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AGE
If you like horses, you will like Hidalgo!
Hidalgo is about a guy and his horse who are invited to the hardest cross-country race in the world. It is based on a real man and his real horse, but then the story gets a little far-fetched. I guess Hollywood doesn't think we are interested in real-life stories unless there is fighting, a damsel in distress, and intrigue. In adding all that, they didn't really help to keep this from being a bit of a sleep-inducer. Unless your kids are absolutely NUTS about horses, I doubt it will hold their interest. The cinematography is pretty good, and Hidalgo, the painted pony is really an American icon. I heard that Viggo Mortenson and the horse got along so well that he kept the horse after the movie...not sure if that is true or not.
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AGE
Good old fashioned adventure movie
Little cussing, no sex, hero actually acts heroic. Slightly hokie, but I really enjoyed it anyway.
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AGE
Great movie for families with older kids
We love this movie! There is truthful violence (though not excessive or gratuitous) so it isn't for young ones or sensitive girls.
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| Studio: | Buena Vista |
| Director: | Joe Johnston |
| Cast: | Omar Sharif, Viggo Mortensen, Zuleikha Robinson |
| Genre: | Western |
| Run time: | 120 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 5, 2004 |
| DVD release date: | August 3, 2004 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | adventure violence and some mild innuendo |
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