Racing Stripes

This started in Australia early, so my partner and I went to see it for a change of pace. Expectations weren't what you would call high (this is the home of Babe after all), but we both enjoyed it quite a bit. The film is well put together, visually it's attractive, earthy, and the horses used are stunning -- any horse lovers will adore the movie, despite the main character being a Zebra. Actually, Stripes himself is overshadowed by some of the excellent supports, including Hoffman's unappreciated pony and Pantoliano's gangster Pelican called "Goose" (a very funny role). One exception is Snoop Dogg's Basset Hound -- a waste of time, really. Then there are the horseflies, Spade and Harvey -- some of their jokes are dated (an M.C. Hammer gag in 2005???), but they're usually a high point. The human characters were well cast -- Bruce Greenwood gives a very down to earth performance and is totally believable as a mourning farmer. Hayden Panettiere is a standout, look for big things from her in the future. I remember her as Will Patton's mini-coach daughter in Remember The Titans -- she's grown up with a great look and fine acting. Direction is fine, the effects of animals talking, etc are all well done. Story is basic, but I guess that's what you want in a family film. Funny animals, good values/morals -- definitely worth watching.

Racing Stripes_720p(480P)

source: Racing Stripes

Trailer—Racing Stripes

Racing Stripes

Please, why do so many adults persist in reviewing children's films and reading stuff into it that just isn't meant to be there? Ignore the mean comments on this film, it is a rib-tickling and engaging effort. Sure, it is completely non-challenging but why should a kid's film have to have a message? (That's where Pixar has gone wrong lately with reprehensible, Disney slop like Cars.) As for the morons who claim to be offended on their kids' behalf by the flies farting or pelicans crapping - double please! Kids love fart and poo jokes and they just add to the general fun. Hayden Panetierre is spot-on as the cute teenage rider and doesn't even try to be sexy. The villain and villainess are just bad enough to boo but not nasty enough to be threatening, especially when you know all along that the zebra is gonna whoop their butts. Family fun that won't leave a nasty taste, or indeed any taste, but so what!

I thought this was a very funny movie. I laughed a lot and don't think that the jokes were too much (maybe the pecker joke). Someone said that the first 20 minutes were slow but OK to get used to the animation, but I think the animation was done really well and the race with the mailman is in there as well. The mailman was very cool ! (my father is a mailman, but this one is a lot more fun and hotter). I would have liked to see more with him. Hopefully he will be in more films. The relationship between the father and the daughter could have been a little better, but the father and the zebra are nice together (with the training). The story is a lot of fun for kids and families. My 5 year old loved it !! The horses are really beautiful. and so is the zebra (especially as a baby) I have never been to Kentucky, but I did not know it was not made in America, it looked beautiful. All around I think you will like this movie !

Comedies seem to systematically get worse reviews. Harder to please maybe as a genre. And stripes is built on Shrek-type movies, and this one even comes close to Babe for me. Yes we know the plot is unreal. Yes we know the hero will win in this thoroughly unashamed melodrama. Yes we expect the jokes to be potty. Still, it is a lot of fun, even hilarious, and even for adults. The flies are fun and original. Kudos to the filmmakers for using real zebra sounds. There are many obvious lessons for us all to learn within this film - notably to be tolerant of those not like the rest of us, and to have confidence in our ability to overcome disability. Still, while not subtle, fun!

Okay, don't get me wrong, I love Hayden, and I think this is a brilliant film, and I do know that it is a U rated film, so it was expected to be like this, but...I think the storyline was a little too predictable. For example, when we learnt Channing's mother had died from falling off a horse - we KNEW the first thing that would happen when Channing raced Stripes was that she'd fall off. And correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it was a little obvious that Stripes was going to win, and Trenton's Pride actually DID like Stripes. But other than that, Hayden's acting was brilliant, and I loved the two flies - they were absolutely hilarious. The script was well written, and aside from the predictability of the storyline, it was also well written.

Don't be swayed by the negative reviews...I don't know what it takes for some folks to enjoy a movie! I took my 8 year old to see this and we both spent most of the movie in laughter. There is something for EVERYONE in this film! On top of a great story and an enjoyable script, there are many, many lessons for children to learn within this film. It was so good to hear children splitting their sides in laughter during the movie. And, in places, adult laughter drowned out the kids! This movie has humor on all levels. It will definitely be added to our DVD collection upon release. This is Rudy and The Little Engine That Could all rolled into one. Don't miss this or you'll be sorry!