Windrunner

The title pretty much says it all.The concept behind the movie is fine, and in a day and age where there is so much sex and violence promoted in Hollywood's films, at least this is a movie that the entire family can see. Some may actually enjoy it, since the movie is filmed in Utah and there's much scenic beauty to be found there.However, with the exception of the charming Amanda Peterson, whose acting has always been superb, regardless of what she's appeared in, both the plot of this movie as well as the acting by most of its cast is at best mediocre.Moreover, if you are an Amanda Peterson fan ("Can't Buy Me Love" "Listen To Me" & "A Year In The Life") "Windrunner" would also turn out to be the last movie (or TV appearance) that she would ever make in Hollywood, after having had a fairly successful acting career as a child star, and co-starring in the 1987 sleeper hit of the year entitled "Can't Buy Me Love."Why Amanda's acting career did not skyrocket after "Can't Buy Me Love" became the overnight sensation that it did remains a mystery to her myriad fans; many of whom have not only lamented about the loss of this tremendous talent, but since her sudden departure from Hollywood 27 years ago, created Websites and YouTube videos as an homage to what they believe was one of the most beautiful and talented actresses ever to grace the silver screen.As a long time fan of Amanda's, myself, I would imagine that their frustration stems from the fact that even though her career was in high gear and her popularity off the charts by the end of 1987, by 1989 the momentum that she'd had going for her in 1987 had largely fizzled out.The speculation for why this occurred remains rampant nearly three decades later, and to this very day the reason for it continues to be a mystery, since it is very difficult to understand why someone with Amanda's enormous talent and beauty, did not eventually become the A-List Hollywood star that so many her fans thought she would.In fact, both she and her co-star, Patrick Dempsey, became overnight teen idols as the direct result of Can't Buy Me Love's success at the box office; their faces being seen on the covers of teen magazines all over the world for several years afterwards.However, even Patrick, although he'd met with more success than Amanda after "Can't Buy Me Love" would experience a decade of frustration in being repeatedly turned down for some of the more choice roles that he had auditioned for during his thirties, and would have to wait for another decade before his dry spell would end, when he would finally snag the lead character in a new series entitled: Grey's Anatomy.As for "Windrunner," this movie would end up going directly to DVD.However, this could have been a great movie if the producers had been given a better budget and with the exception of Amanda Peterson and Margot Kidder, access to better known actors; since the movie appears to have emulated the 1984 summer blockbuster "The Karate Kid," except without that movie's tremendous box office success.Of course, movies are always subjective, so what appeals to one movie goer, may or may not appeal to another.However, in this writer's opinion, if you want to see an enjoyable movie which has a similar theme, you'll likely find that the original Karate Kid (1984) will suffice, since it's the type of "feel good" movie that not only attracts large numbers of fans, but which has also become a cult classic thirty years after it was produced.Movies like "Can't Buy Me Love" (1987) and "Risky Business" (1983) have also become iconic, thanks to their quality scripts and the chemistry between their co-stars (Amanda Peterson and Patrick Dempsey in CBML) and (Tom Cruise and Rebecca DeMornay in RB).This is especially true when they are compared to many of the high tech CGI animated action movies which appear in the modern day, where the scripts and the actors take a backseat to the movies' CGI special effects.As such, the saying the more things change the more they stay the same no longer applies in Hollywood, since the more things change in Tinsel Town, the worse they seem to get.

This is not a movie full of special effects, big action or big name actors. It is a very low key movie and in one or two places, it seems a little too "low budget". But over all, it is just a solid, feel-good story. I had seen it one time many years ago and when I ran across it on-line I had to buy it. The story has fantasy, drama, action and teen romance that is fit for the whole family to watch. In fact, it has some great life lessons for teens and adults alike. For me, it has the character of a hallmark classic and I will be enjoying it for the rest of my life.

If your a fan of movies that show the struggle and hardwork of a player both physically and mentally this movie has a great storyline. Older style way b4 dvd/blueray. I have the vhs tape of it but it got damaged. Was happy to find it online. The ending I see was slightly changed but not to the point from the orginal where you notice. Its worth the watch.

A truly good film for young adults 10-16 years of age. The "Ghost" of the great Native American athlete Jim Thorpe is on earth and living in the high desert of Kanab, Utah. There he befriends our young hero and takes him under his wing (pardon the pun) and shows him the "ways" of life.

great story with a lesson to think about

Great movie, good for family, it was a good price also. some spookie stuff, but in a good way. not just a native movie, but a good fun family movie. I would buy this movie again. The acting was good. a lot of mountain scenery .

I loved seeing Amanda Peterson in her last film .RIP sweetie .

Excellent movie

I really enjoyed watching WINDRUNNER. It is a very good movie for young and old alike. Fun for the whole family. I would definaltely recommend this movie to my family and friends.