I've always been a sucker for animal movies, especially when they're made well. Steven Spielberg's “War Horse” – an amazing historical epic – is easily one of the best films this year.

“War Horse” begins with a poor, hard-working family right before World War I. The father (Peter Mullan) buys a horse at a local auction while trying to outbid his greedy landlord. His wife (Emily Watson) is furious and decides that their son, Albert (Jeremy Irvine), must train the horse to plow the field. But, as the war draws near, the ­father sells the animal in a last-ditch attempt to save the farm. The rest of the film follows Joey the horse and his trek across Europe as he endures the grueling war.

The first 45 minutes of the film show the beauty of Europe before the war. There are landscapes of green mountains, an ever-present duck for comic relief, and the growing love between the boy and his horse. Although the family struggles, the film remains light. It's somewhat like a mixture of “Babe” and “Seabiscuit,” satisfying and enjoyable.

The characters are unique as well. The father is an honorable man who loves his family. The trash-talking landlord is witty but cruel. And the hardworking mother makes you want to stand up and shout “You go girl!” But sadly, everything changes when the war begins.

The movie quickly grows bleak and grisly. Joey the horse meets various people who are affected by the war. Though each situation is different, the characters are united by their struggles. One story follows a soldier rescuing his brother from certain death. Another shows a girl and her grandfather's discovery of the horse. Each is a tragic miniature tearjerker.

The climax occurs in the trenches during the Second Battle of the Somme. The film depicts this carefully. There is toxic gas, rats in the trenches, and a no man's land surrounded by barbed wire. I ­really appreciated the meticulous detail. In one scene – probably the best in the film – Joey is caught in barbed wire on the battlefield during a short cease-fire. A British soldier and a German soldier work together to free him. The soldiers approach the war with a sense of humor, yet there's an earnest honesty in their eyes. They joke around, knowing that they will again have to shoot at each other in a matter of minutes. It's like the Christmas truce – but sadder.

As I mentioned, I'm a sucker for animal movies. I love the relationships Joey has with various characters. Joey and Albert's friendship is especially sweet. The finale is hugely satisfying and crowd-pleasing. I'll admit that I cried like a baby. John Williams' score is intrepid, allowing the emotions to run rampant. The final image of the film is bold and leaves the audience with a teary smile.

“War Horse” has a compelling story, interesting characters, spectacular production design, and superb direction. Looks like Master Spielberg has done it again. 4.5/5