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Disney+ Black Beauty Review: A Necessary Re-Imagining?

Disney has re-imagined the classic tale Black Beauty for Disney+ starring Mackenzie Foy as Joy and Kate Winslet as the voice of the horse.

black beauty poster

Black Beauty is a classic tale about the unbreakable bond between a girl and a wild horse. Disney has just re-imagined the story to be featured on Disney+. But is this a re-imagining that we needed? As a young girl I read the book Black Beauty and also saw the 1994 film. I remember enjoying it, however neither stuck with me enough that I remember all the details of the story. 

Because of this I was eager to watch the Disney re-imagining of the tale, and let it jog my memory. As the story started, a lot of the plot did come back to me. Jo Green is sent to live with her Uncle John when her parents are killed in a car crash. He lives at a stable where he breaks wild horses.

Jo is angry about life, and really, who can blame her? She is reluctant to this life at first, but eventually bonds with a wild mustang, who she names Beauty, as they both have lost their family. Beauty has seemed to be unbreakable, but Jo and her learn together. 

black beauty review

Kate Winslet’s Voiceover

I am a big fan of Kate Winslet so I was intrigued when I learned she was going to be doing the voice of Black Beauty. Of course I immediately hoped that they weren’t going to make the horse talk, and was thankful when I quickly learned that was not the case. Black Beauty is the narrator of the story, and Kate Winslet does the voiceover. 

I wanted to love this aspect of the movie but honestly, her voice seemed too flat and emotionless. It was very matter of fact and I think it took away a part of the movie for me. It seems that the point of it was to help bring the viewer into Black Beauty’s thoughts during the film but it actually took me out of the story. I felt less of a connection to the horse because of it.

black beauty

 

Is Disney+’s Black Beauty OK For Kids?

While Black Beauty is perfectly fine for kids, chances are young ones could get a bit bored. My oldest daughter, who is 9, very much enjoyed this movie. In fact, she now wants to learn how to ride horses, and eventually buy one of our own. She shed a few tears throughout the movie as well. My 7 year old was completely different. Within 15 minutes she was done with the movie, and walked away. It was too slow for her, which I totally understood because it was a bit slow for me too. 

There is no language or adult situations in this movie that would make it not OK for kids to watch. The biggest thing is that there is the death of Jo’s parents, and some animal abuse. So if those sort of things would be too difficult for your child to watch, then maybe pass on Disney+’s Black Beauty. 

black beauty disney+

Is This Re-Imagining Necessary?

As with all re-imaginings of classics, you have to ask, is this necessary. While I am not sure it is, I do like that we have a slightly updated version of this film for a new generation. Is it a must watch movie for families? Not in my opinion. But there is most definitely an audience for Black Beauty. 

black beauty

Overall Thoughts

This version of Black Beauty is fine. It isn’t anything spectacular, but it isn’t awful either. Yes, it is a bit slow and kind of boring, but I attribute that to the source material, not this version of the film. Animal movies are very hit or miss for me and unfortunately this one fell a little flat. 

I will say that I think anyone who enjoys the story of Black Beauty will enjoy this re-imagining of the tale. My biggest issue with the movie is Kate Winslet’s voiceover, as I discussed above. It took me out of the movie and felt too emotionless. I understand that she was trying to be narrator, but it just made me disconnect with Beauty.

Be sure to check out the best Disney+’s Black Beauty quotes!

About Black Beauty

In this modern day reimagining of Anna Sewell’s timeless classic, we follow Black Beauty (voiced by Kate Winslet), a wild horse born free in the American West. Rounded up and taken away from her family, Beauty is brought to Birtwick Stables where she meets a spirited teenage girl, Jo Green (Mackenzie Foy). Beauty and Jo forge an unbreakable bond that carries Beauty through the different chapters, challenges, and adventures of her life.

Black Beauty comes to Disney+ on November 27th!