Movie Review: Hidalgo 2 (2025)
The legend rides again — across a new frontier of danger and destiny.
After more than two decades, Hidalgo 2 gallops onto the screen as a triumphant return to classic adventure filmmaking. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), this long-awaited sequel brings back Viggo Mortensen as the legendary long-distance rider Frank T. Hopkins — older, wiser, and still unmatched in the saddle.
Set in 1901, the film sees Frank drawn into one final race — this time through the rugged Andes Mountains of South America. When a powerful mining syndicate threatens the lands of the Mapuche people, Frank is recruited by a mysterious local guide, Isabella Rojas (Ana de Armas), to ride in a brutal, winner-takes-all endurance race where the prize is more than gold — it’s survival, honor, and freedom.
The film is visually breathtaking. Sweeping vistas of snow-capped peaks, fog-drenched forests, and ancient temples create a cinematic canvas that rivals the grandeur of Lawrence of Arabia. And yes — Hidalgo, the beloved mustang, returns (or at least his offspring), continuing the bloodline of bravery and unbreakable spirit.
Mortensen slips back into the role with quiet intensity, delivering a performance full of grit, grief, and grace. His chemistry with Ana de Armas is subtle but electric, and together they give the film its emotional spine. The race sequences are heart-pounding, but it’s the cultural depth and spiritual undertones that elevate Hidalgo 2 beyond a simple action story.
While a few modernized quips feel slightly out of place, the overall tone remains earnest and inspiring — a rare feat in today’s cinematic landscape.
⭐ Rating: 8.7/10 — A soulful, sweeping adventure. A must-watch for lovers of epic storytelling and untamed horizons.
