User reviews

I want to start by saying that when it was all said and done, I did end up enjoying the movie. Now on to my critique... Black Beauty was one of my absolute favorite novels when I was a young girl, and I've always loved the 90's movie adaptation. There were A LOT more changes in this new version than I was expecting, and I was not a big fan - especially with the mustang angle. I feel like they did too much to try to modernize the story and to also try to stay close to the novel, it seemed kind of cluttered. I'm a sap for any heart warming story that involves animals, though, so again I did end up enjoying it. But I think it probably would have better if they would have tried to make it more of its own film.

But Dear Film team, her name is Mackenzie Foy, not Mackenize Foy... never noticed a misspelling of a films leading actor in the CREDIT ROLL before... so that's a first....

A nice short and simple movie with the story we all know. Nothing wrong how they proceeded with it. And the cast is quite interesting too. Can be watched with family as it doesn't have any gratuitous content. PS : the horse actually looks very beautiful.

Black Beauty was a horse born in Britain and raised on a country farm. In the movie, they keep calling Beauty a mustang, which is a SMALL wild horse. Beauty is not small, not in the books, and not in this movie. Whoever wrote the screenplay for this movie knows NOTHING about horses, and it shows.

So I was scared to see this. But gave in. Black Beauty was one of my favorites growing up. Not 100% upset with it but I got weird Flicka vibes. Was like Black Beauty meets Flicka.

Should not have called it "Black Beauty" when there's elements of other horse films throughout it.

Obviously being set in the modern day there are differences from the book, but that means that it's not just another remake. It's not the most factual when it comes to horses, but it doesn't need to be, it holds it's own as a horse movie. The biggest problem I had was the unnecessary forced romantic subplot, it would have been a good movie on it's own without the romance. It wasn't the best movie ever, but it was pretty good and a cute family movie.

I don't think Disney streaming is that world-wide yet, so that may effect viewing some. This was colorful movie, of course great horses. The thing that annoyed me was the narration. It needed another person. Until movie over and looked on here was surprised was Kate Winslet and not Sarah Paulson. I am tired of the latter so that was my annoyance.

It annoyed me that they kept trying to pass off a very obviously tall thoroughbred as a mustang...I liked the movie otherwise. It wasn't perfect, but worth the watch.

If you are willing to stoop to mere name recognition to get views you've already lost my respect. A black smudge on everyone involved. Am I too harsh? No. It's not a bad story and not badly executed, but when some nameless groom burns down the stable it shows disrespect to the audience on another level. This story is diametrically opposite to the story of Black Beauty.

Don't get me wrong, I love re-envisioned classics but it must be analogous to the original.

Sure there might be mistakes in a film, but just watch a fim for the film's sake! I thought it was very thought provoking and beautifully filmed. Well acted by both people and horses. Quite a tear-jerker. Very recommended viewing!

I mean, where the hell making Beauty a mare benefits the story?! And also, why did Ashley Avis made it just another Horse Girl Story?!?! On the other hand, at least it still has some elements from the original, and the best: the horse is the main character, like the book. Another thing I can notice is the fact Beauty is there is no animal dialogue in this movie. Also, the first part with the herd being caught was not the best, they could have made something cooler, like in Spirit, and why did she come back to Birtwick in the end? I know, that's what most of the fans would want in the original story, but here she was supposed to go back to the wild. And also, why is Beauty the only one who changed the gender? Why is Merrylegs still male and Ginger still female?

This story makes no sense in parts, poor writing. The original was 1000 x better and the book was better still. At least they knew something about horses the people who made the original. It's just laziness & sloppiness. Everything is so dumber down now in movies. It's supposed to be geared towards horse people yet any decent horse person can see flaws in any scene. Very poor writing, directing & producing. That horse definitely is not a thorobred, colic isn't caused by or have anything to do with the lungs. How do these people get to make movies. Most movies are horribly written now. I didn't go to film school but I can make a better movie than 95% of stuff that comes out now. Where are they getting these people from?

This is an amazing movie about a girl and a horse's relationship I learned a lot about horses and different things it dohes seem like they tried to pack a lot and do it which can be bad at sometimes it was very stereotypical with some of its characters and was sometimes even predictable but at its heart is a fun family film filled with joy and a moral lesson this makes me want to read the book it would have been even better this was a true story story I would definitely recommend this to families who have gone through troubled time families that just want to find a good movie to hang out over and families who have lost their parents also families who have horses and animals in barns the character development and the relationship between all the characters and how it grows is okay the film was way well executed and is a hit or miss depending on which person you are overall I'd give it give it a c+ on the rating scale instead of a percentage because I'm not sure about this one

LIKES:

Beautiful Cinematography Great Coming of Age Approach, at least at the beginning Takes the Horse perspective, so different Poetic and Beautiful, if Sad Hits those heartwarming moments just right

Dislikes: Slow No real character development details Simplistic intense moments Very fast progression of the good parts Writing a bit a bland in terms of dialogue and character involvement Extremely Depressing and heartbreaking for much of the movie

Summary: I give many movies a hand these days in their ability to capture the beauty of the world through the camera. Black Beauty's opening shot is gorgeous of the wild life of the mustangs and the spirit that Winslet's voice over explains. Disney's crew uses their technology to constantly paint the picture and pull you into the scene, whether it be out on the open plains feeling free, or in some of the stables where each condition brings a different mood that really does affect the audience member if you are like me. This technique fits well with the whole coming of age approach this movie takes, using the simple idea of setting being the paint brush that creates the experience and guiding you through the harsh reality of life. What's different from this though, is that though we have Jo's (Mackenzie Foy) own emotional growth, the movie really is more about Beauty (Winslet) and how she changes over the course of a horse's life. While certainly not the original, this perspective gets points for being different and providing a fresher, more direct take on the horse's life compared to other movies. I did enjoy Winslet's commentary at many times, finding the words poetic, as her philosophical thoughts sprang out through my soundbar. The many metaphors and nods to various cultures, tied with the scenes that were running tandem with it, further brought out the "Beauty" of the movie, which I think will speak to a lot of audiences with similar looks on life (at least according to my friend's Facebook status they would). And though the movie has many sad moments, the movie has those moments where the alignment of music, shots, and writing is perfect to really give you goosebumps, helping to harbor you in the shores from the storm of depression this movie is.

As I'm sure you have already read though, the movie has some shortcoming for me personally I did not enjoy. Starting out, the movie has little character development outside of the mind of Beauty, the rest of the cast, including Jo, sort of diluted down to props that Beauty has to accept. Sure, they make for some interesting and "dynamic" experiences, but given the previous installments and how the horse affected their lives, I would have loved to have seen more involvement to get that dynamic nature other horse movies have gotten. Throw in that much of the solutions and "exciting" moments are very simplistic, most of the hurdles leapt without so much as an afterthought during the "tense" moments made the spectacle less grand given all the buildup they were working towards, teasing you that something spectacular would come. This was especially true for one set of characters I hoped would have gotten the kick in the pants that they really needed, but nope, happened in the background and very lackluster finish for that story arc. I guess going with the coming of age and realism vibe, they kept to their standard, as even the good moments for the other characters was flown over, again much of the human cast's lives being pushed to the background as Beauty's journey progressed. Sadly, I would have liked to stay on these good points a little more to help lighten the mood and energy of the movie, but then again life does have a way of pulling the joyful moments out from under you, so it fits. And despite all this poetic action from the mind of the wild mare, the writing surprisingly is very flat for much of the movie. At times they nail the line, giving you a quote to belt out for future days, or checking that box for proper description of the action (partnering over breaking) that I did quite enjoy. But much of the time was just simplistic dialogue you might have with a teenager, and though again realistic, it's boring given much of the film's already somber tone. Throw in the fact that much of the film is depressing and heartbreaking, and you get a journey that is not easy for people like myself. I can't say much without spoiling, but let's just say seeing some of the treatments in this film, is more than enough to drop your spirits down a notch or too, so go in warned. All of this comes down to a very slow pace for yours truly, and though I'm a bit of an action freak, this pace was certainly slower than I would have liked. It magnifies all the dislikes for me and leads to again a blander experience that really takes the enjoyment out of this film for many when I read their posits. So don't go in there ready for bed, or you might be fighting sleep.

The VERDICT:

Black Beauty is certainly beautiful on the literary device and cinematography standpoints. The horse's perspective is certainly unique and brings a lot of emotional delight and lessons with it, and just seeing this amazing horse work on camera is a treat to the eyes. Yet, the movie gets lost in realism, beauty, and the life lessons that it loses a bit of the entertainment spectacle and story telling that I enjoy in these movies. The fact that the human partner story is sort of lost midway through the movie and used as merely a motivational saying of the horse did not impress me, and the fact that there are still some poetic justice moments lacking did not deliver on the promise the trailer laid. What is really limiting for me on this movie, is that is a very depressing movie, and though I understand that is the story, but to cut out the parts that help weather the depression was not my favorite choice. And diluting the justice parts to give more of that poetic realism got a little old for me. And when all of this feels a bit slow, well... it only helps to amplify how sad this story really is. Thus, the people who will like this tale the best are those who enjoy the somber nature tales, little girls and those who love horses, and those Disney fanatics who think they do little wrong. As such, this movie is fine for the viewing online should you have Disney+, but again if you miss it, not the biggest blockbuster to grace the small screen. My scores are:

Drama/Family: 6.5 Movie Overall: 5.0

"Black Beauty" is about the genuine bond between a girl and her horse, who share similar sad fate. Throughout the film, the charming visuals, especially ones filmed in South Africa in terms of cinematography, make every moment in the movie presented beautifully with soft color tones. The story plays out conventionally, and predictably, with fast-paced editing incorporated so as not to lose the viewers' (especially younger ones) attention. On the whole, the movie isn't doing anything revolutionary and like many other stories about the bond between a human and an animal it tugs at the heart strings while showing the evolution of that relationship. In the end, though the story may be derivative, don't forget it's done for Disney+, which is pretty much completely geared towards family viewing. For that purpose, this film offering something nice and enjoyable for the whole household. To be honest, I didn't expect to like "Black Beauty" as much as I did.

Rating: 7-

This movie really is not bad at all. It's very heartwarming and beautiful. A lot of people are just mad because this movie has the title "Black Beauty". It's a remake, a re-adaptation, it's not supposed to be EXACTLY like the original. This is the writer and directors own take on their own version of Black Beauty. I think it's a great movie. This Black Beauty portrays the beautiful relationship between a girl who lost her parents and a horse who lost her family. It's sad how people are too focused on the practicality and the realness of these movies instead of the message behind them.

Could have been a ok film, However calling this Black Beauty when it is so far from the original film/book premise has really annoyed me. So Beauty is now a mare, it's set in the U.S. and the 'posh' British family are so stereotypically 'nasty' upper class it's ridiculous. I love Kate Winslet usually, but even her voice had me irritated.

All the negative reviews must be from people who don't like change! Agreed, it's way different than the classic '90s black beauty, but once you get past that it, is a darling film. I absolutely love black beauty, although she is not a mustang...I was confused by this. I like the fact that it was a female led cast. The scenery was breathtaking, I love out west and I love Mr. Manly's New York ranch. Very warm and fuzzy feelings for me as I used to have my own female quarterhorse when I lived with my mom on her ranch! This movie is adorable, the horses are so gorgeous they literally steal the show, especially black beauty! Watch this movie if you love horses!

For many it may seem like just another chapter in the political agenda of diversity, where Disney takes the 1979 classic "Black Steed" and remakes it where not only the protagonist is female (Mackenzie Foy from "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms") and even the horse becomes a mare. But this is not the case: it was "Black Corcel" that was inspired by the book by Anna Sewel written in 1887 where the protagonist was a girl. In fact, this production is a remake of the 1994 film of the same name. What does this matter for the film? Nothing, but it's a good piece of knowledge that can sometimes be overlooked by some people. Except for the fact that the plot has already been explored in several versions and series over at least the last 40 years and now there is practically not much variation.

The plot revolves around a wild mare, who finds herself captured and taken away from her family. Full of revolt and indignation, no employee at the stable where she was taken can take her, not even the experienced and kind John (Iain Glen). When John receives news of the sudden deaths of his sister and brother-in-law, he finds himself becoming legal guardian to teenager Jo (Mackenzie Foy). Lost and dealing with sudden grief, she mirrors the mare's feelings, and friendship is born between the girl and the animal, whom she names Beauty. Angry at the world, Jo softens after meeting Beauty, who had also lost her family. In the sunny pastures of the farm, the girl and the horse heal each other, until a fire destroys the stables at Birtwick. Having financial difficulties, John rents Beauty as a show horse to a wealthy family of knights, the Winthrops, for their spoiled pre-teen daughter Georgina (Fern Deacon). Jo despises Georgina's cruelty towards Beauty - the spoiled girl kicks the mare until she burns holes - but Jo still falls in love with Georgina's dreamy older brother, George (Calam Lynch).

Although Winslet is the prominent name on the cast list, "Black Beauty" does not materialize as the story of the horse, but of Jo. Unfortunately, even this character's grief is underwritten as she longs for an elusive teenage romance and a reunion with her beloved mare rather than revisiting her parents' deaths. Avis loses the novel's sincerity by diluting Sewell's animal welfare appeal. In this update, humans are not so villainous. Beauty is not so prominent. And the mustang spirit of the novel turns into an ordinary horse movie. This is a story between unlikely friends that has moved generations for more than a century, while also promoting debates about animal cruelty. Unfortunately, Mickey's studio film fails to create a significant bond between its protagonists and, consequently, with its audience.

As with the source material and its many adaptations since, director Ashley Avis begins "Black Beauty" with the colorful life of a young mare. Kate Winslet lends her voice to our mustang heroine from her humble roots in the American West (in fact, the film was shot in South Africa), through her journey through the hands of several different owners. Some are kind, like John Manly (Iain Glen) and his niece, Jo Green (Mackenzie Foy), who moves in with John after her parents' death. It is during this difficult time for humans that Beauty forms bonds with young Jo. Things are going as well as they could for Beauty after losing her home and her group when circumstances beyond John and Jo's control force her to be sold to other strangers, including a rescuer, a farmer, and some carriage drivers.

Avis's adaptation, which she also wrote and edited, brings "Black Beauty" to contemporary America, out of Victorian England. Here, Black Beauty is both harmed and helped by cellphones and forced to deal with the spoiled young rider, Georgina (Fern Deacon), and her ruthless mother, Mrs. Winthrop (Claire Forlani), who wants her daughter to win trophies in dressage competitions. In an added twist, the character of Jo, originally Joseph Greene in the book, receives much more backstory than any of the horse's other handlers and owners. Although she is absent for a considerable portion of the film, the horse thinks of her constantly, like a great first love that got away. "Black Beauty" also gives Jo a love interest, George (Calam Lynch), the opposite of her mother and sister's treatment of horses. Through Jo's experience, the film gently touches on the issue of class, delicately pointing out the differences between Jo, whose uncle works in a stable, the rich girls who make fun of her, and the Winthrops, who more or less make their own rules because they have their own stables. However, it's a little disconcerting to take on an animal's narrative and hand it over to developing the human characters, but after a while, the film shifts back to Beauty's point of view.

Although much of this "Black Beauty" departs from the original, the spirit of empathy and combating animal cruelty remains intact. Some of the novel's harshest scenes appear here as well, including the dark moment when Beauty realizes that one of her former stablemates, Ginger, has endured a terrible life that comes to a heartless end. The film also makes reference to the uncomfortable standard of beauty imposed on these animals for competitions. Mrs. Winthrop is obsessed with seeing the horse's head held high for dressage, a reference to the Victorian standard that also forced horses' heads into uncomfortable and unnatural positions. The publication of the book helped eliminate the practice from most conventional uses, but as the film shows, the cruelty that keeps a horse working day and night pulling a carriage or being forced into dangerous situations that threaten its well-being still it is as prevalent as it has ever been.

But not everything goes so well in this adaptation. The mare's narration (voice of Kate Winslet) throughout its duration is the way in which the script tries to take the viewer into the animal's soul. The big problem is that this device is used as a lazy narrative crutch for absolutely everything that involves any other character's feelings. If Jo is sad, the mare needs to say "Jo was so sad"; if John becomes concerned, she needs to state this fact. It seems that the actors were hired just to have a face that the viewer can associate names with, because their emotions are not felt, only described by Beauty. It is a script that tells the story, but does not show it, does not illustrate it, making little use of cinematic language. The film sounds like an immense soundtrack - beautiful in fact - by Guillaume Roussel ("Predator Instinct") populated by images, directed by the almost debutant Ashley Avis. The volume of the track is not only very high, but it also seems to guide all the events, in order to be even more predictable than the script already is.

The story is episodic, with Jo and Beauty being separated, and the mare passing through several owners, some good, some cruel, but the proud Beauty always keeps her spirits quietly high, while Jo dreams of meeting Beauty again one day. ("The Call of the Wild" and "War Horse" were both, in their own ways, influenced by this story). Horses don't have the same appeal as dogs, but the story is enjoyable, especially for those who have never come across an adaptation of Anna Sewel's work. And it is with this new audience in mind that Disney makes these commercial moves, especially now with streaming. If, on the one hand, some supporting characters are extremely stereotypical, such as the mother (Claire Forlani) and sister (Fern Deacon) of our protagonist's romantic partner, on the other, we have an honest Mackenzie Foy with her soft voice and angelic face, bringing the feelings of suffering, anger and the transformation that Beauty causes in her life in a captivating way. Iain Glen ("My Cousin Raquel") as Jo's uncle is another who always steals the scenes with his dramatic performance.

Avis' film clearly loves its four-legged protagonists. Through David Procter's cinematography, it recreates the look and feel of one of Disney's nature documentaries in the early moments of Black Beauty's life. It's an idealized golden hour look at a group of horses galloping across fields and in the shadows of mountains. It's no wonder leaving these scenes feels like a real loss. Without humans and their dramas to get in the way, we can just enjoy horses without our hindrances, saddles, bridles, or whips. This makes the audience want to spend more time with Black Beauty than with Jo or any other human character in her path. It's a narrative choice that may work better for some than others and probably won't please the book's devotees. This 2020 version of "Black Beauty" is the most discreet adaptation of Anna Sewell's classic story, but with the necessary brightness to captivate the audience of Disney streaming subscribers about an intense and emotional friendship between a girl and her mustang packed with an immersive and exciting soundtrack.

There is no problem in moving a quintessentially British story and resetting it somewhere else, as long as the backbone of the story remains. This, however, is only related to the source material in the sense that there is a horse, that is black. A British, male, workhorse, has become a man American, female, mustang. None of the plot points or morality tales are carried over. It is entirely different. It is also entirely garbage.

Additional questions, why have a British actor who has a terrible NY accent play a NY horse owner? Why have an expensive British actor voice an American horse that should be British when they could get an American voice that actually sounds American for much less?