Flicka (2006)

Very disappointed :(

Too many fans seem to be blown away

People are voting emotionally.

Excellent, a Must See

If you love horses as sentient and amazing creatures, capable of thoughts and feelings and deserving of respect, then avoid this film as it will just infuriate you. If you love horses as riding equipment or as something to show off on Instagram, you'll probably enjoy it.Katy (Alison Lohman) doesn't love horses, she loves riding them. There is a difference. If she loved Flicka she would have been just as satisfied watching her run free as a wild mustang, but instead she had to imprison her and break her so that she could ride her and feel 'free' at the expense of the poor horse. I've always been a fan of Alison Lohman, but this film managed to ruin that. She is completely miscast as a sixteen year old free- spirit (read: spoilt brat). In her mid-twenties during filming she is just too old for the part, highlighted by the casting of parents so close in age to her. The character is so thoroughly unlikeable and seemingly perpetually miserable. From what I have heard the book is for a mature audience, but this film adaptation is most definitely for rednecks or the brain-dead Lifetime market.

Katy McLaughlin (Alison Lohman) struggles in boarding school and would rather work at the family horse farm. Her father Rob (Tim McGraw) is grooming her older brother Howard (Ryan Kwanten) to take over instead but that's not his dream. She returns home to the ranch with her father, brother, mother Nell (Maria Bello), ranch hands Jack (Danny Pino) and Gus (Dallas Roberts). On a harrowing ride, she is rescued by a wild mustang from a mountain lion. They capture the horse and she calls her "Flicka". Her father balks at the expense and muddying of his purebred horse herd. He entertains an offer for the ranch which makes Howard happy and angers Katy. He sells Flicka to the Rodeo. With the help of Howard and his girlfriend Miranda Koop (Kaylee DeFer), Katy enters the rodeo as a man. When her father figures out the rouse, she decides to escape with Flicka.Alison is getting a little too old to play a teenager. Tim McGraw is not the most imposing presence which his character needs badly. Maria Bello doesn't feel like a country wife. Most of it still works as a simple family movie. There are no real surprises. It's sentimental old fashion. There are a lot of horses and there are beautiful vistas. The drama is old time stuff and the villain is a mountain lion.

Why are all the horse movies about girls now? Sure, more girls than guys like "ponies," but boys like horses too! The bond between a man and his horse is one as old as time! From conquistador to Cowboy, horses are a part of history, and, more often than not, it was men who rode them! The only real exception to the "girls like horses" I've seen lately is War Horse- It managed to blend both guys and girls, as it should be, as it is in real life! Now to step off of my soap box and get on with a real review... Flicka was a good movie, in some ways better than the original, but in others inferior. Tim Mcgraw did well, as did the actress who played Katie. But all credit goes to the horse and the beautiful scenery for this movie! It's definitely a movie any horse lover can enjoy! I've probably rambled on a bit much and babbled on like an idiot, but once again, the movie was enjoyable, and I would recommend it.

I have trained un-broken horses and instructed young riders for a few years. Currently I am a Mounted Patrol officer. Please take what I say very seriously. I am very concerned about children endangering themselves based on "lessons" they might learn from this movie. As an officer on horseback I am used to having children literally run up to my horse. A normal horse, without special training would have injured/run away from these children. It bothers me that parents usually stand back and laugh as their children run at our horses. I believe both children and parents are getting the wrong idea about horses and the way they act based on movies like this one that continue the mis-notion. This movie teaches: 1) That if you get on a wild mustang's back, that has never had a rider it will miraculously understand! Oh, you may fall off a time or two, but that's alright!REAL LESSON: It takes weeks, months to even "green" break a horse (walk, trot, canter) Even the process of adding weight to a horse's back and riding equipment is done slowly and gradually. The young girl here goes against the horse's natural nature and defies all safety/acts bratty towards her Father when he tries to correct her.2) It's okay to steal/run away with a horse in the woods/rainstorm!REAL LESSON: I think you understand this one.other things that are just wrong: Galloping a horse in the rain, "talking" to the horse as if its a human instead of using riding cues, not wearing a helmet (Many Western riders do not, but on a green-broke horse this is just asking for trouble).I'm worried that someone's young daughter is going to wander into a neighbor's pasture and approach a horse thinking it will "magically" become her friend. I've seen a little boy injured because he hid into a strange horse's stall believing it was his "friend." This movie does not at all encourage realistic, safe relationships between horses and riders. If you do let your children watch this version of Flicka, try to explain to them that horses are animals and Katy's behavior is wrong. If they want riding lessons after this movie talk to your instructor about how to act around a "real" horse. Encourage them to read books such as "Pony Pals" or "The Saddle Club" which usually encourage safer practices/life lessons. It will be better for your family, I assure you.