Hidalgo – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Hidalgo

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2004

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 2004 horse-racing adventure that's earnest and sweeping but feels like a two-hour slog through the desert—beautiful vistas, questionable history.

46%

→

Hidalgo

movie

PG-13, 2004

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A 2004 horse-racing adventure that's earnest and sweeping but feels like a two-hour slog through the desert—beautiful vistas, questionable history.

46%

Jump to

Also rated on

46%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Hidalgo is the kind of movie that looked great in the trailer 20 years ago but feels like homework today. It's earnest, sweeping, and Viggo Mortensen clearly loves horses—but at over two hours with early-2000s pacing, it's a slog.

The story itself is fine: underdog cowboy, loyal mustang, exotic desert race, themes of honor and cultural exchange. But critics weren't impressed (46% RT), and for good reason—the script is predictable, the history is dubious, and the portrayal of Arabian culture veers into stereotype territory.

For horse-obsessed teens with patience, there's something here. For everyone else? It's a pass. Modern kids raised on tighter editing and faster pacing will check their phones halfway through. The WISE components are decent—wholesome themes, some enrichment—but watchability is the killer. This one's for a very specific audience on a very rainy day.

Age Fit

Best for teens 13-16 who love horses, adventure, or historical epics and have the patience for slower-paced storytelling. Younger kids will find it too long and intense; older teens may find it corny and dated. Not a family movie night winner unless you've got a very specific audience.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic adventure story centered on determination, cross-cultural respect, and the bond between human and horse. Models perseverance and courage without relying on cynicism or meanness. The protagonist faces challenges with integrity. Some violence inherent to the adventure genre (horse racing in harsh conditions, cultural conflicts) but framed within a heroic journey context.

Imaginative

The premise of an 1890 Pony Express rider competing in an Arabian desert race is inherently adventurous and transports viewers to exotic locations and historical settings. However, it's a fairly conventional adventure narrative without particularly innovative storytelling. The world-building around the race and Arabian culture offers some imaginative appeal, but execution is standard Hollywood fare rather than genuinely inventive.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it 14+, suggesting moderate content concerns. As a PG-13 adventure film, expect horse racing peril, some violence (likely combat scenes, dangerous stunts), and potentially intense sequences. The 'dangerous race' premise implies life-threatening situations. No indication of sexual content or gore, but the action and peril are significant enough to warrant caution for younger viewers. Not a 'surprise scary moment' film, but definitely has sustained tension.

Enriching

Offers some historical context about the American West and Arabian culture circa 1890, plus themes of cultural exchange and mutual respect. The human-animal bond provides emotional depth. However, critics' 46% RT score and 54 Metacritic suggest the execution is middling—likely historically dubious, potentially romanticized or stereotypical in its portrayal of Arabia. Entertainment value is there (64% audience score) but educational/ethical enrichment is limited by conventional storytelling and questionable historical accuracy.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Classic underdog story with strong themes of perseverance, loyalty, and cross-cultural respect
Showcases the powerful bond between human and animal—great for horse-loving kids
Sweeping desert cinematography and exotic locations offer visual spectacle
Viggo Mortensen is committed and watchable, even when the script isn't
No cynicism or snark—just old-fashioned heroic adventure storytelling

⚠

What to Watch For

Rated for age 14+ due to sustained action peril, some violence, and intense racing sequences
At 2+ hours, it drags—early-2000s pacing means long stretches without much happening
Likely contains orientalist stereotypes and romanticized/inaccurate portrayals of Arabian culture
The 'based on a true story' claim is highly disputed—essentially historical fiction at best
Critics were lukewarm (46% RT)—this is comfort-food adventure, not prestige cinema

Conversation Starters

"What do you think it would take to race a horse across a desert for days? How would you prepare?"
"The movie shows people from different cultures competing together—what did you notice about how they treated each other?"
"Do you think the story is realistic, or more like a legend? What parts seemed exaggerated?"
"How does Hidalgo (the horse) show intelligence and personality? What makes a good partnership between human and animal?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic