Supposedly based on the true story of cowboy Frank Hopkins, Hidalgo is about the "Ocean of Fire," a 3,000-mile horse race across the Arabian Desert. If Disney wasn't so adamant that this was a true story, I would have cut them some slack. Research conducted by the University of Wyoming turned up no evidence of a race of this kind to have ever taken place ever and that it's fairly well known that Hopkins was a notorious self-promoter. Disney seems to have fallen victim to their own hype-machine in a bid to add credibility and a level of seriousness to what is actually a rather mediocre adventure film.

Everyone is just so serious throughout the film, that it robs the film of any fun it might have generated and makes it a bore to watch. Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is a half-breed Pony Express rider, when he's not out winning cross-country marathons with his horse, Hidalgo. After witnessing the massacre of the Indians at Wounded Knee Creek, he turns to the bottle to soothe his pain. He soon finds himself as part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show traveling around the country. The powerful Sheikh, Riyadh (Omar Sharif), demands that Hopkins stop promoting his horse as the world's greatest endurance racer, or participate in the "Ocean of Fire" race to prove it. It seems that Hopkins enters, more to prove his own place in the world, than that of his horses.

When Hopkins enters the race as the underdog, the stereotypical reactions abound. The Arab racers and their pureblood thoroughbreds feel insulted to have a cowboy in their midst, along with his mixed-blood steed. The audience knows who's going to win from the beginning it's just a matter of how. The film also conveniently skirts any messages about American superiority because Hopkins identifies himself as a member of the Sioux Nation rather than the United States, so their flag flies rather than the stars and stripes overhead. The inclusions of a thieving Goat herder and an African slave boy (supposedly purchased by Hopkins) for comic relief are cringe inducing, as they haphazardly assist Hopkins at various checkpoints throughout the race.

Viggo Mortensen really tries his best to get things going, but is waylaid time and again by the sheer weight of the script. The location shooting in Morocco, Montana, and South Dakota by cinematographer Shelly Johnson gives the production that "epic" feel, as does an enormous sand storm (courtesy of ILM) that looks like it was pulled straight from The Mummy. However, the best part of Hidalgo is Hidalgo himself, or at least his equine star, T.J. T.J. and Mortensen got along so well during the shoot that the actor actually bought the horse after filming was completed. Possibly due to the clichéd and overwrought script the human actors were working with, T.J. was able to overcome those shortcomings and do what he does best… be a horse. He, even more so than Mortensen, shows the bond between Hopkins and Hidalgo in the film. Sadly, for as good as T.J. is in the film his screen time is fairly limited. Had they focused even more on T.J. as Hidalgo, then perhaps some of the stories forced ("romantic subplot") or weaker ("jealous relative") elements wouldn't have been as glaring.

The DVD:

Picture: The movie is presented in a THX certified 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The picture quality is adequate, but is slightly soft and a little grainy at times.

Audio: There is a 5.1 DTS and 5.1 Dolby Digital, as well as, a 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo track. The 5.1 channel mix is good and provided a nice audio experience throughout the film.

Extras: Included on the Extras portion of this Disc are a behind-the-scenes featurette called "Sand & Celluloid". There are also some Sneak Peeks at other Buena Vista releases, as well as, a DVD-ROM feature explaining the origins of the American Mustang, called "America's First Horse."

Conclusion: Hidalgo tries to be an entertaining, Western actioner, but seems to fall apart when viewed too closely. If Disney had tried less to make a factual based, socially conscious film with a modern day relevancy and instead headed in the wisecracking, tough guy and his smart and equally tough horse direction, they could have had a winner. In fact, the movie is never sure which it wants to be. While I'm glad it gave my Grandfather 2+ hours of enjoyment, I don't know if I can say it will do the same for everyone else. I'm going to have to say Rent It if you're a fan of Westerns, horses, or Viggo Mortensen, but Hidalgo isn't as good as it could have been, and that's a shame.