As far as fantasy horse flicks for girls go, there are plenty of films to choose from. Some are abismally bad, others had potential and lost it. But to find a clean film for a young audience set to a backdrop of horses, the best options are in short supply, and this one is on the line for watchable.
First some of the bad: The cinematography, from a technical standpoint, was sorely lacking. Some scenes suffered from poor lighting, others had blown out highlight or had contrast and colour settings that distracted from the story - which was so so. But there are some good things.
In spite of these challenges, Kevin Sorbo deserves recognition for delivering a good performance. There are plenty of shots of competition riding in rodeo, and this also plays to the audience intended.
There are better films, of course, and more accurate films for those educated in equine practices, but if you've seen those big blockbusters, this is a watchable option for an evening with young daughters.
Rodeo Girl: Dream Champion
2016
Drama / Family / Sport
Rodeo Girl: Dream Champion
2016
Drama / Family / Sport
Plot summary
In New England, the spoiled Priscilla loves horse riding and lives with her mother Abigail. When Abigail decides to travel with her wealthy boyfriend, he gives the US$ 75,000 horse Lassie to Priscilla and she sends her daughter and Lassie to stay with her estranged father Duke Williams in his ranch in Michigan. The snobbish Priscilla does not treat her father well, but soon she befriends his friend Laura Mae and his employee Sage. When they go to a rodeo, Priscilla decides to train to dispute barrel racing and Sage teaches her. Meanwhile, the wealthy farmer Carl Davenport wants to buy Duke's land and his reckless son harasses Priscilla that is improving in the rodeo competition. When Abigail arrives in the ranch, Duke and Priscilla learn that her boyfriend was a con-artist and she does not have money to pay the price of Lassie, and will have to resell the horse. Priscilla vanishes and Duke has to take an attitude.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Watchable for the right audience
Mediocre
Anyone else notice she rode a different horse to win the finals.
The acting isn't the best.
Good Family Film
I gave it 5/10 because it's a family friendly film. The language was clean, and there were no innuendos. However, it drug along. Our 13 year old son lost interest after about 30 minutes.
Priscilla (the main character) was a teenage girl in New England attending an elite Boarding Academy where Equestrian was a large part of her life. Her mother and her new fiancé announced to Priscilla they were leaving on a 4 month world cruise without Priscilla. She would have to go to Michigan to stay with her father, whom she had not seen since she was 1 year old after her mother left him.
She arrives in Michigan cold and distant. Through various circumstances, after her horse arrives from the East Coast, she becomes interested in barrel racing at a local rodeo. The rest of the movie revolves around her quest assimilate and to excel at the sport. This desire brings about conflict and growth with her dad, whom she calls "Duke", and her mother, who makes a devastating decision that could derail all the progress Priscilla has made over the summer.
I don't want to say too many bad things about this film, as it was obviously a low-budget production and the producers were trying to make something that was wholesome that the entire family could enjoy. The filming quality and editing were good but the acting was a bit stiff and continuity was almost non-existent.
However, despite the flaws, it was still a decent family film.