My Movie Review on Racing Stripes · 10:32pm Feb 6th, 2019
What’s up, you guys! A Man Undercover in the house!
Today, I will be reviewing “Racing Stripes”!
In this film, a baby zebra gets separated from a traveling circus in a small Kentucky town during a terrible storm. He is eventually discovered by former horse trainer Nolan Walsh (played by Bruce Greenwood) and his daughter, Channing (played by Hayden Panettiere), the latter completely falling in love with the animal. She calls him Stripes (played by Frankie Muniz as a young adult) and keeps him as a pet. Along the way, Stripes grows up with a great many friends on the farm, gets taunted by bullying racehorses, and discovers his love for running and racing, the latter which Channing discovers her love for.
First off, I think this movie can clearly be classified as one of the most underrated of films. It obviously wasn’t promoted well by Warner Bros., and it’s quite likely that the marketing department underestimated the potential of this movie.
Here’s why I say that:
This movie is awesome!
It has all the qualities & traits that make it a perfect film!
Sure, the story may not be one that can make itself standout, but give it a break already! It’s a really great story that’s perfectly character-driven, and it’s full of heart and meaning. All the credit for coming up with this masterpiece goes to Frederick Du Chau, along with Kirk DeMicco, Steven P. Wegner, and David Schmidt, the latter also being the official writer of the film.
It also has a really great moral, which is that just because you’re different from others, you should never stop yourself from having a shot at what you want to do, and you should never let the doubts and bullying others throw get to you. And, you should never let your own fears and doubts control you, because if you do, there would be a lot to regret.
The acting and characters are also fantastic! Every character has a certain personality and wit that helps them to stand out, and the dialogue they have is extremely fun! Our lead characters have also gotten great character development throughout.
The most relatable characters come from that of Stripes and Channing, because both of them want to fulfill the dreams they have, which is to race. And they were willing to do so no matter the consequences, no matter the doubts, etc.
The most sympathetic of characters I find come from that of Norman Walsh and Tucker (played by Dustin Hoffman). Nolan has been a really stubborn person when it comes to not letting Channing ride Stripes and race, but it’s all with good reason. He just doesn’t want his daughter to get hurt because of racing, and he was scared that she would meet the same kind of fate his wife did, which is precisely why he stopped training before Stripes came along.
The reason I sympathize for Tucker is because, before he ever started training Stripes, not one of his trainees from the past, which includes the main animal antagonist of the film, Sir Trenton (played by the late Fred Dalton Thompson), ever thanked him for helping them nor gave him credit, even going so far as to call him a nobody. That, and what happened to Channing’s Mom, caused him to stop training others before Stripes came into his life.
Want to know the best part?
Each character I mentioned developed perfectly!
The funniest characters that I thought stood out to me the most were Goose the Pelican (played by Joe Pantoliano), as well as Buzz (played by Steve Harvey) & Schuzz (played by David Spade) the flies. Every moment with them was incredibly fun and hilarious! I especially loved that funny gangster mode & accent Pantoliano gave Goose, and that wonderfully comedic and brotherly dynamic Harvey & Spade gave Buzz and Schuzz, along with that sense of improvisation.
By the way, on the mention of the humor...
I will admit that some of the jokes aren’t the best, but that’s okay! Every joke is really passable.
To Frederick Du Chau: I’ve definitely got to tell you that out of all two of the movies you directed, “Underdog” (which I reviewed not too long ago) & “Racing Stripes”, the latter is very much your best work out of the two! Helming this film, you orchestrated everything like a pro!
In the end, “Racing Stripes” crosses the finish line by being one of the best family-friendly films I’ve ever seen!
So, I rate “Racing Stripes” a solid five out of five stars.
This sounds pretty good. I’ll check it it out eventually!
I remember owning this on DVD. I never really liked watching it, though.
5009165
How come?
5009175
Well, it just didn't appeal to me. I liked the animated stuff, and seeing real life old men and country girls talk and talk without blowing stuff up or shooting like in Star Wars was a letdown.
Interesting
Did you know that there's an alternate ending where the main protagonist and his love interest have a colt together?
5009240
No, actually.
Amazing film, truly an underrated gem!
5009242
Well here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkhpXeWC-nU
5009265
Thanks.
Was it included in the bonus material?
5009283
Yes, it was, if I recall correctly.