War Horse
Metascore
72 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
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  1. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    Dec 26, 2011
    100
    Spielberg has been ridiculed for shooting his actors from below against impossibly Spielbergian skies and a denouement that lays the love on copiously. But there's nothing simpleminded about how he uses movie magic, as a spell to dispel nihilism, to save us from the worst of ourselves by summoning up the best.
  2. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Rene Rodriguez
    Dec 26, 2011
    100
    There isn't a moment in the movie where you don't feel Spielberg's passion, and this time, the film is worthy of his enthusiasm. It's a knockout.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    Dec 23, 2011
    100
    It's not a knock on Steven Spielberg to say he is history's finest maker of children's movies. His capacity to evoke simplicity, awe, beauty and unconditional love are his genius, and his vision of the children's story War Horse is a gorgeous, majestic fable about a boy who yearns to be reunited with his steed.
  4. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    Dec 23, 2011
    100
    An entirely fitting Christmas Day release -- filled as it is with magic and talk of miracles -- and easily one of the best films of 2011.
  5. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Keith Phipps
    Dec 22, 2011
    100
    To create his disarmingly earnest film, Spielberg draws from the past. Its tone is humanistic and its technique classic.
  6. New York Observer
    Reviewed by: Rex Reed
    Dec 20, 2011
    100
    War Horse is a don't-miss Spielberg classic that reaches true perfection.
  7. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Corliss
    Dec 19, 2011
    100
    In his most painterly film, Spielberg has appropriated the lavish visual palette of John Ford movies: "The Quiet Man" for the rural settings, "The Horse Soldiers" for the war scenes. Boldly emotional, nakedly heartfelt, War Horse will leave only the stoniest hearts untouched.
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    Dec 16, 2011
    91
    This is a beautifully built, classically framed movie, shot with the unshowy natural expressiveness of a John Ford Western by Spielberg's great cinematographer, Janusz Kaminski.
  9. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: A.O. Scott
    Dec 22, 2011
    90
    You may find yourself resisting this sentimental pageant of early-20th-century rural English life, replete with verdant fields, muddy tweeds and damp turnips, but my strong advice is to surrender.
  10. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    Dec 22, 2011
    88
    War Horse gets to you. It's one from the heart.
  11. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    Dec 21, 2011
    88
    War Horse is bold, not afraid of sentiment and lets out all the stops in magnificently staged action sequences. Its characters are clearly defined and strongly played by charismatic actors. Its message is a universal one.
  12. Movieline
    Reviewed by: Stephanie Zacharek
    Dec 26, 2011
    85
    For all its borrowing from old Hollywood, I don't think War Horse is particularly nostalgic. The word I'd use is wistful. It's the largest, most lavish handful of wistfulness money can buy, and sometimes it's too much. Yet it's nice to know that even Steven Spielberg can still wish for something.
  13. Tampa Bay Times
    Reviewed by: Steve Persall
    Dec 26, 2011
    83
    War Horse takes time reaching its full emotional gallop with a late sequence combining man, beast and barbed wire. Yet it remains a technically magnificent ride throughout, and a checklist of visual influences from "All Quiet on the Western Front" to "Gone with the Wind."
  14. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: Shawn Levy
    Dec 22, 2011
    83
    Pieces of War Horse that may charm some eyes might well bore others to tears.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 253 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 71 out of 114
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 114
  3. Negative: 27 out of 114
  1. jbuddah
    2
    SPOILERS - This war film insults my intelligence. They attack the German camp - which has zero guards and protection. After storming through they are met in the woods with a batterie of German cannon that are inexplicably pointed directly at the German Camp. Were the Germans planning on firing upon themselves just before the English attacked? If they want to win the horse in the second auction, why do they wash and dress the horse to make it look attractive to buyers? Why not make the horse appear lame and get him cheap?… Full Review »
  2. gvk123
    2
    Well, what do you know. Steven Spielberg's 'War Horse' is a stunningly bad movie, from beginning to the end. Is it beautifully made? Sure, it is Spielberg, after all. Does it matter? Not one single bit. Because from the amazingly bad plot concept to its ultimately pointless conclusion, this is Spielberg at his worst. It is one of the Worst movies of the year.… Full Review »
  3. coxmail
    2
    I do not recommend to go see this movie, I expected much more from a Spielberg direction. Bad plot, unexplained solutions... Where is Private Ryan?.... The scenery is indeed beautiful however it does not make up for the bad script and painful shortcuts. No, No and No.… Full Review »
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