Common Sense Media Review
By Grace Montgomery
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Predictable horse tale has mature themes, smoking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Spirit Riders
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Kacie (Alexandria DeBerry from Disney's A.N.T. Farm) is caught helping her boyfriend steal prescription drugs and sent to work at Spirit Riders horse camp as an alternative to juvenile hall. Angry that she has to spend her days mucking out stalls and working with campers with special needs, Kacie lashes out at everyone. Rex (Lance Henriksen), the camp's owner, convinces her to help him train Blaze, a spirited former racehorse. As Kacie and the horse begin to form a strong bond, she starts to see that maybe she can make something of herself, if her troubled home life and bad-news boyfriend don't get in the way.
Is It Any Good?
SPIRIT RIDERS isn't a great family film, but it's definitely not bad either. It has a lot of clichés, some moderately cheesy acting, and a very predictable plot, but it also has a lot of heart. Kacie really learns coping mechanisms for dealing with grief, a difficult family life, and peer pressure, all lessons that would be especially valuable to tween audiences. And the subplot of Kacie becoming friends with and beginning to understand Mike's Asperger's syndrome is sweet and informative.
Though parents may not appreciate Kacie's poor attitude for much of the film, not to mention all the smoking (including by Kacie's mom), most will like the lessons shared. Tweens -- especially horse lovers -- will probably find quite a bit to like, but teens most likely will find the plot too predictable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Kacie's behavior. Why do you think she made such poor choices? What factors in her life led her to acting out?
Why do you think working with animals is so helpful to many people? How do they help people?
Mike has Asperger's syndrome. What do you know about Asperger's syndrome? How can you make it easier for kids with Asperger's syndrome to play and interact with others?
What's your favorite horse movie? Why is it your favorite?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 9, 2015
- Cast : Lance Henriksen , Alexandria Deberry , Olivia Osteen
- Director : Brian T. Jaynes
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Entertainment One
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 26, 2021
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