Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

It plays better than it reviews — the watch lands harder than the write-ups suggest.

• “It's an extraordinary feat of animation, possibly the most lovingly conceived, uncompromisingly executed and totally successful animated film since "The Lion King."”

  William Arnold, Seattle Post-Intelligencer · 100

• “It's classic animation wedded to modern technology -- painted pictures that move in magical splendor.”

  Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal · 90

• “The movie's big action scenes, at times, make you forget you're even watching animation. There's an in-your-face sequence involving a runaway, crashing train that will make you squirm in your seat trying to get out of the way.”

  Desson Thomson, Washington Post · 90

• “An animated fairy tale made with simple, elegant conviction.”

  Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly · 83

• “The animators have re-created equine movement and behavior with uncanny verisimilitude.”

  Staff (Not Credited), Chicago Reader · 80