I had no
previous knowledge of this film franchise, having somehow managing to avoid the
release of Cowgirls ‘N Angels in
2012, but somehow I can’t imagine it makes much difference in reviewing this title.
As far as I can tell, there is no direct connection between the storylines,
aside from a title and basic premise dealing with young girls and trick
horse-riding. Cowgirls ‘N Angels 2: Dakota’s Summer is a mouthful of a title,
but the film itself is a fairly inoffensively straightforward story that could
easily be a TV movie from any number of the television stations that only my
nine-year-old sisters would watch.
The only way for
me to review a film like this is to consider what I would like my younger
sisters to have as role models, as this isn’t entertainment directed at my age
group, or gender, for that matter. Though the trick riding is somewhat
impressive to any age or sex, the narrative is clearly simplified in a way that
is predictable and contrived. This is quite fine for a younger age group
without the same expectations in entertainment. What will matter to them is
being able to relate to the characters and the story. And the horse-riding, of
course.
As is clear from
the overlong title, this time around it is a girl named Dakota (Haley Ramm) who
is the protagonist for the small bit of pre-teen soap opera drama. Angered by
her inability to perform tricks as well as her teammates, Dakota is only
further frustrated when her sister lets it slip that she was adopted. This
revelation sends her to live with her grandparents for the summer, and gives
her the opportunity to meet her birth mother while also training to trick ride
before returning to the rodeo circuit.
Despite the warnings of her grandfather (Keith
Carradine), Dakota insists on trusting that her mother has changed as an
irresponsible person, but inevitably ends up learning that she was lucky to
have the parents that raised her. There is also a predictable love interest,
which is thankfully kept minimal, and a relationship that Dakota makes with a
troubled young girl visiting her grandparent’s farm. It all remains fairly
contrived and sappy to the core, but I would have no problem with my sisters
learning the lessons that this well-acted family film has to offer. Just don’t
ask me to sit through it again.
The Blu-ray
includes a behind-the-scenes featurette, as well as the option to watch the
film digitally.
Entertainment Value:
6/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 5/10
Historical
Significance: 2/10
Special Features: 3/10
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