After a smash hit with the Oscar-winning “Shrek,” how does Dreamworks Pictures’ animation wing choose to keep its momentum going?

Dreamworks honchos opted to go with “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.” Unfortunately, the ambitious film focusing on a wild mustang isn’t the runaway hit creatively for which they were hoping.

“Spirit” can’t be faulted for its animation, a seamless blend of traditional and computer methods that do an admirable job of evoking the endless vistas of the unconquered American West. You can feel an eagle fly or a horse run free.

The animators are also to be commended for not having the horses talk, instead communicating emotions through the animals’ facial expressions and actions. Also, the story of Spirit is told through a narration by the horse, voiced by Matt Damon. It tells of Spirit’s harrowing journey without too much wordiness, no simple task. Instead, the filmmakers choose to let the animation speak for itself.

Spirit’s tale is actually that of the untamed American West as the frontier pushed westward. Moviegoers see young Spirit grow into the leader of his herd. He gets captured by horse traders, and sold to cavalry soldiers, led by The Colonel (voiced by James Cromwell), who try unsuccessfully to tame him. He forms a tentative relationship with a fellow escaping captive, the Lakota Indian Little Creek (Daniel Studi), who respects Spirit as the free creature that he is. Spirit falls in love, overcomes hardship and keeps striving to return to his herd.

While the mustang’s indomitable, well, spirit is praiseworthy, most adults are going to find the movie to be more than a little predictable. While they may enjoy the healthy dose of revisionist history, and the photorealistic animation, the plot itself isn’t going to hold most adults’ imaginations.

My junior critic enjoyed the film overall, especially when “he and the girl horse got together.” The funniest moment for her came during the army officers’ futile attempts to break the stallion. There were also a couple of loud sections that younger children may find scary. My toddler critic, in his cinema-going debut, didn’t really start wandering until late in the film, when the novelty of the vat o’ popcorn wore off.

In a summer packed with films for children, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” is an adequate beginning. It will keep the young kids glued to the screen, but most parents, while following along, will be mostly glancing at their watches.

Dale McGarrigle is the NEWS veteran entertainment writer. His 6-year-old daughter, Samantha, enjoys drawing horses herself, and may be ready to help animate a “Spirit” sequel.