His stripes made him an outcast; his heart made him a hero. He is the little zebra in Racing Stripes, the last Hollywood film of the year, released on DVD in Beijing in time for the festive season.

Like most holiday season flicks, this is a fun-filled film for all the family.

What makes it different is the combination of human actors and animals instead of 3D animation. The film also boasts an all-star voice cast that includes; Frankie Muniz, Dustin Hoffman, Whoopi Goldberg, Joe Pantoliano, Mandy Moore, Patrick Stewart, David Spade and Michael Clarke Duncan.

The story begins during a strong thunderstorm, when a travelling circus accidentally leaves behind some very precious cargo, including a baby zebra (voice by Frankie Muniz). The gangly little zebra is rescued by horse farmer Nolan Walsh (voice by Bruce Greenwood), who takes him home to his young daughter Channing (voice by Hayden Panettiere). Walsh has given up horse training for a quiet life with her daughter on their modest Kentucky farm. The zebra, or "Stripes," as Channing names him, is introduced to the farm's eccentric troupe of barnyard residents, including a bad-tempered pony named Tucker (voice by Dustin Hoffman), a wise old goat Franny (voice by Whoopi Goldberg), a rooster and a goose. Stripes assumes he's a normal horse who loves to run, and he grows up to believe anything is possible.

The Walsh farm borders the Turfway Racetrack, where highly skilled horses compete for horse racing's top honour, the ultra-prestigious Kentucky Crown. From the first moment Stripes lays eyes on the track, he's hooked. With distinctive zeal, he devotes himself to training for the big time.

Stripes must overcome prejudice and self-doubt to pursue his dream of running with the big horses and landing in the winner's circle.

Racing Stripes is a delightful film that entertains all audiences. It deals with some of the same themes as films like Babe or Finding Nemo: grief, fear for one's children for one character, and growing up different and following dreams for another.

"I love doing the animated stuff," said Muniz who voiced Stripes in an interview. "It seemed like a great idea and I knew there was going to be a great cast. I love Doctor Doolittle and Babe, my favourite movies growing up."

It was filmed in South Africa so that the filmmakers could have access to zebras for the filming.

Racing Stripes is a movie where everyone learns a lesson for life, laughing all the way.