Flicka 2
by Phil Boatwright

The uplifting DVD release from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, directed by Michael Damian (Moondance Alexander), stars Patrick Warburton (Family Guy, Seinfeld,) Tammin Sursok (The Young and the Restless), and country-western singer Clint Black.

FILM SYNOPSIS: Carrie (Sursok) is a big-city teenager whose life is turned upside down when she moves to a horse ranch in Wyoming to live with her father (Warburton). But everything changes when Carrie meets Flicka, a wild, jet-black mustang who's just as free-spirited and strong-willed as Carrie. The two form a special bond and Carrie opens her heart to her father and a handsome local boy, but when a jealous rival puts Flicka's life in jeopardy, Carrie must do whatever it takes to save her best friend.

PREVIEW REVIEW: The 2006 remake of My Friend Flicka, simply called Flicka, was well made. There was nothing new being said and certainly did not possess the same panache found in National Velvet some fifty years ago. But a new generation of 13-year-old girls, and maybe even their male counterparts, found the new version absorbing and relatable. I myself found it an enjoyable horse-and-her-girl movie. But it didn't quite do well enough to generate a further theatrical adventure. So, we get a straight-to-DVD follow-up.

A bit corny in spots, still it's a tried-and-true formula. Both girl and animal struggle with authority, finding something within one another that makes life tolerable. Director Michael Damian keeps the pacing just right, the Wyoming vistas are breathtaking in many shots and the performances are sound, though Ms. Sursok is no Elizabeth Taylor (parents, make sure your daughters see National Velvet) and Clint Black, looking squinty throughout, adds little interest as the "wise" ranch hand.

Rated PG, I found it tame, lacking objectionable language or crudity. Though parental units may occasionally lift an eyebrow at the adolescent revolt, positive family relations develop and it contains valuable life lessons.

The theatrical release had a further dimension that might have been a help in gaining a preteen male audience: more rodeo action. But Flicka 2 (clever title) should satisfy their female counterparts. It's a clean film, one suitable for the entire family.

Further info from the press release: The Flicka 2 DVD includes behind-the-scenes featurettes, a documentary on the North American Mustang, an in-depth interview with Clint Black; bloopers and more for the suggested retail price of $22.98 DVD and $34.98 Flicka / Flicka 2 2-pack DVD. Both can be purchased at Walmart and Sam's Club locations nationwide and in Canada.