The Wild Stallion (2009)

Directed by: Craig Clyde | 83 minutes | drama, family | Actors: Miranda Cosgrove, Danielle Chuchran, Fred Ward, Connie Sellecca, Robert Wagner, KC Clyde, RaeAnn Christensen, Paul Sorvino, Corbin Allred, Carlisle Studer, Scotty Meek, Michael Lawson, Gib Gerard, Casey Evans, Dustin Hunter Evans, Bob Lanoue

Many girls love horses. That has been the case for centuries, and it will not change in the coming centuries. What will also not change is the formula of many films in the family genre. The clichés are flying around you, but it is nice and safe to make such a film, because the target group does not yet have much comparison material and will love the predictable story. Also ‘The Wild Stallion’, not a remake of ‘The Black Stallion’, but in the best traditions of the child-and-animal film an ode to all similar predecessors, from which there is hardly any deviation.

Hanna (Miranda Cosgrove, “iCarly”) lives with her father (Fred Ward) in an Ohio town. Because her mother died of cancer a few years ago and her father has to go on a business trip, there is little other option than for Hanna to spend a month at the Bear Mountain ranch of a former friend of Hanna’s father. Quite a change for the urban girl, who, however, has set her sights on photographing wild mustangs that are common in that area. The love for photography was instilled in her by her mother. At the ranch, we meet daddy’s college ex-girlfriend Mattie (Connie Sellecca), her three co-workers Dallas, Ty and Alvin, and CJ, a feisty girl who is very good with horses and who dreads the arrival of Hanna. regard. CJ soon realizes that Hanna’s urban appearance has little to do with her inner self and the two girls become friends. The bond grows even stronger when the two find the renowned wild black stallion on a trip. The existence of this wild stallion was uncertain until their discovery, it would be just a legend. Wild mustang numbers are declining sharply in the Bear Mountain ranch area. Would the sheriff’s sidekick, Morg Haynes (Corbin Allred) know more about it?

The cast of ‘The Wild Stallion’ consists of nothing but handsome knobs: lead actress Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”) will probably become a heartthrob later, but Danielle Chuchran, who plays the role of CJ, doesn’t discount either. To provide the watching older sisters with eye candy, the attractive KC Clyde and Gib Gerard, who play the brothers Dallas and Ty, are hired. Beautiful doll RaeAnn Christensen still plays a very small role as Mattie’s friend, but her role is barely fleshed out. The plot of the film is well put together, although with some plot lines not much or not enough is done. For example, changing the rolls of film is announced as a major event (you can feel it coming when Mattie insists that no one, especially no one is allowed to see the photos and therefore they may not be developed…), but when the photos If it does fall into the wrong hands, this happens in such a casual way that you as a viewer might as well not get it. Anyway, Hanna’s hobby is rarely discussed, more could have been done with it. The comically intended pranks that the two brothers unleash on Alvin and vice versa might be entertaining for the young target audience and Morg’s role is simply ridiculous, especially in a family movie (he threatens to put his hand on a gun if his sidekick doesn’t do it right away). what he says).

The voice over of Hanna, who seems to want to tell the viewer in diary form what is happening on the screen, or worse, is going to happen, is a bit irritating. However, there are plenty of positives to these caveats. The cinematography is very nice, the attractive scenery is fully exploited and the uncomplicated story offers enough tension and entertainment. The cast scores a pass. The fact that the dialogues are then less strong need not be a problem for the target group. There is a good chance that ‘The Wild Stallion’ is regularly put in the DVD player by them to watch it again.