Metascore
43 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 26
  2. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. Reviewed by: Joe Leydon
    70
    Frisky and funny enough to please pre-teens, but still witty enough to amuse even those parents who don't recognize Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg and other notables among the unseen vocal talents.
  2. Endearing but predictable.
  3. The special effects here are surprisingly smooth, and everyone seems to be having fun.
  4. Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    63
    Simultaneously overplotted and simplistic, the new barnyard/racecourse comedy from Warner Brothers is predictable every step of the way, and it contains at least three too many poop jokes.
  5. 63
    You may end up being pleasantly surprised, especially if you have a ten-year old girl in tow.
  6. I groaned at cliches and grinned at jokes in roughly equal measure.
  7. No "Babe" but should delight youngsters, although parents likely will find it is sentimental in the extreme, with a plot that telegraphs every development.
  8. At best, Racing Stripes should play nicely to youngsters with the cutoff for enjoyment extending no further than midteens.
  9. 50
    But when you think of the "Babe" pictures, and indeed even an animated cartoon like "Home on the Range," you realize Stripes is on autopilot with all of the usual elements: a heroine missing one parent, an animal missing both, an underdog (or underzebra), cute animals, the big race.
  10. Like most movies aimed at the younger set, Racing Stripes has easily absorbable lessons to teach: Be yourself, never stop trying if your goal is worthwhile, and so forth.
  11. Reviewed by: Russell Scott Smith
    50
    A predictable but pleasant kids movie that veers between old-fashioned girl-and-her-horse sentiment and "Ren & Stimpy"-style poo jokes.
  12. Muniz, however, is hampered by Stripes' constant moping, which brings out the "Malcolm in the Middle'' star's whinier tendencies.
  13. The movie, which is roughly as predictable as the attraction of flies to dung, is a hackneyed mix of sentimentality and anarchic comedy.
  14. So what disturbed me? It was the Shetland pony, which sports both Dustin Hoffman's pipes and his "I Heart Huckabees" toupee, and will haunt my nightmares forever.
  15. 50
    Sweet, innocuous and about as fresh as yesterday's lettuce.
  16. The digital computer work is smooth and convincing; the animals look as if they are talking. But their voices are either devoid of personality or grating and annoying.
  17. Reviewed by: Dana Stevens
    50
    Racing Stripes is unlikely to ascend to the pantheon of perennially watchable children's films, but like its hero, what it lacks in skill, it makes up for in heart.
  18. 50
    Dumb but harmless live-action comedy for kids.
  19. Racing Stripes is oddly torn in tone: is it an old-fashioned family drama, a coming-of-age story or a crass comedy? Live action or animation? Unlike "Babe," it fails to integrate its conflicting personalities.
  20. Reviewed by: Ethan Alter
    40
    Bland family comedy.
  21. Reviewed by: Anna Smith
    40
    It's been done before, and better. With pigs.
  22. 40
    A film divided against itself. Granted, neither part is particularly distinguished or appealing but the old-timey sports-movie elements at least possess a quaint charm. Unfortunately, that's wholly negated by the film's stumbling attempts at comic relief.
  23. Reviewed by: Chris Tamarri
    40
    The film shares a problem with its hero: identity crisis.
  24. Although this film about a zebra who aspires to win horse races has a marvelous premise, it slows to a mediocre canter right out of the starting gate.
  25. Reviewed by: Mike Clark
    38
    Almost everyone in this has done better, and those who haven't, like young Ms. Panettiere, have plenty of time to do so.
  26. Simply put, no matter what this zebra thinks of himself, Stripes is no thoroughbred.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. MarkK.
    7
    A good movie for first - second graders. While it is not four-star Disney stuff, it doesn't try to be -- it is happy to be about a zebra who wants to be a racing horse. My wife and I both remained seated throughout the movie -- which is unusual with kid movies of late. Pop some corn and enjoy! Full Review »