In the middle of a raging thunderstorm, a traveling circus ac...cidentally leaves behind some very precious cargo--a baby zebra. The gangly little foal is rescued by horse farmer Nolan Walsh, who takes him home to his young daughter Channing. Once a champion thoroughbred trainer, Walsh has given up horse training for a quiet life with Channing on their modest Kentucky farm. The little zebra, or "Stripes," as Channing calls him, is soon introduced to the farm's misfit troupe of barnyard residents, led by a cranky Shetland Pony named Tucker and Franny, a wise old goat who keeps the family in line. The group is joined by Goose, a deranged big-city pelican who's hiding out in the sticks until the heat dies down in Jersey. The un-aptly named bloodhound Lightening keeps a lazy eye on goings-on at the farm - in between naps. The Walsh farm borders the Turfway Racetrack, where highly skilled thoroughbreds compete for horse racing's top honor, the ultra-prestigious Kentucky Crown. From the first moment Stripes lays eyes on the track, he's hooked--he knows that if he could just get the chance, he could leave all those other horses in the dust. What he doesn't know is--he's not exactly a horse. But with characteristic zeal, he devotes himself to training for the big time, with a little help from Tucker, who has coached a host of champion racehorses in the past. Highly recommend this one for the whole family.
4 s...tars because nothing is perfect although this gets pretty darned close. The story takes place in Kentucky's horse racing country. A newborn Zebra foal is accidentally abandoned only to be found by the widowed father of a young daughter who talks him into adopting the baby. The girl has the secret desire to follow in the footsteps of her mother who was a jockey but was killed while riding in a horse race. The father is a former horse trainer who can't get beyond the grief of having lost his wife and the fear of losing his daughter so he's very conflicted and over-protective. "Racing Stripes" has turned out to be very popular among the Grands. 11 year old granddaughter and friends identify w/the a-w-w-w-w factor of the foundling - its joys and let downs. 12 and 13 year old grandsons and buds? Well-l-l-l, they're pubescent boys and the raucous (often "disgusting") humor of Scuzz and Buzz (the flies) gets a laugh every time. The story has its good lesson (moral) about the feelings resulting from discrimination and bullying from one's peers (and prejudiced adults - both human and horse!) and overcoming harassment. It also points out that it is permissible for one's friends to come from a thoroughly mixed bag of backgrounds and ethnicity. Dustin Hoffman (the Shetland Pony) and Whoopie Goldberg ("this old goat"-literally) pull it all together by gently guiding and supporting Stripes (Frankie Muniz) through the hard lessons of growing up while fighting to achieve one's goals. Stripe's notable friends include the filly (Mandy Moore), the flies (Buzz and Scuzz voiced by David Spade and Snoop Dogg), and the pelican (wish I could have recognized who voiced that character). Jeff Foxworthy does a really good job as the rooster. I believe Michael Clark Duncan voiced the once champion race horse and sire of the current favorite to win the big race, a peer of Stripes. I think of the story line and it seems they've pulled out every cliche they could find but the Grands ask for it. Turned out to be worth the money because it has been played many times already (especially in the car). I'm very glad I bought it. So, for 102 minutes of quality time with the family, you should buy it too.
this is a great movie for all ages great picture quality entertai...ning movie i just loved it THANKS!!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this movie for my students at... school after a few people had suggested it and sait how cute it was. Well, the movie is adorable and features the girl who plays the cheerleader on Heroes. However, there are some spots where the humor is a bit too crude and there is a word here and there that could have been cut out. Overall, a good movie with cute talking animals. My four year old loved it, but I was a little wary about the humor being something she might pick up if the movie was watched several times in a row which is something 4 year olds are want to do.
Silly Family Movie! Enjoyable! Factory sealed, terrific price, ...quickly delivered!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New