The Water Horse - Legend of the Deep (Two-Disc Special Edition) Reviews

• Much better than the trailers

  
  By A3AVJCB1ZD6ZY5 on 2008-01-22
  The legend is only one water horse lives per generation. When the old one is ready to die, they lay an egg from which the new water horse is hatched and must grow up on its own as an orphan.
  
  In this case, a young boy named Angus McMurrow found the egg and helped the waterhorse hatch and grow. That's not a mean feat, considering this is World War II and a cadre of British soldiers are staying in the manor house where Angus' family lives. But if any kid is in need of a friend, it's Angus. You see, his father went off to war--and Angus still believes he's going to come back despite being told to the contrary. Angus finds a surprising ally in Lewis Mowbray (Ben Chaplin), a returning soldier who still believes in the old myths and is in need of a dream as much as Angus is.
  
  Of course, the complication is the British soldiers led by a toff commander who's noble father probably stuck him in Scotland to keep him out of the action. They think that the Germans are going to come down Loch Ness and they've got the guns and ammo to take care of the problem if they do. Not a healthy environment for a baby water horse to grow up in...
  
  "Water Horse" is beautifully filmed. It captures the rugged beauty of Scotland amazingly. The soundtrack, by James Newton Howard (of Toto fame and too many soundtracks to name) is gorgeous. The music is perfect--as always.
  
  Warnings:
  
  Kids younger than five had problems with some of the scenes and a couple had to escort their frightened parents out into the lobby
  
  
  
  

• "Seeing Is Believing"

  
  By A3EE0H0NWQ9QVL on 2008-01-02
  Crossing a tale between an explanation of the fabled Loch Ness Monster with the backdrop of World War II, `Deep Water Horse' comes across as `Pan's Labyrinth' for children. Full of whimsy and brimming with innocence, the movie is a harbor for the imagination.
  
  Taking place in Scotland where the legend of Loch Ness has allegedly been spotted, an elderly man engages a couple at the local pub where he relates a fabled adventure of the past. Transporting us in the narrative to 1942, Angus MacMorrow examines some "magical shells" around Loch Ness to collect and take home. His father has been absent from The War for about a year now. Angus (perfectly cast as Alex Etel of `Millions' fame) spots one and takes it home to his father's workshop where he tries to pry through its exterior to find dazzling layers beneath. Being called away, it is a short time later that noise in the shop alerts him of some new development. Angus to his astonishment sees a creature waddling on the floor of his father's shop. Looking much like a cross between a seal and a platypus, the awkward young thing soon takes a liking to Angus who feeds it and makes some space for him in a bucket of water.
  
  The trouble is Crusoe, as he soon names him, grows very quickly. Trying futilely to keep him from his sister, Anne (Emily Watson), his mother (Lorraine McDonald), and a newly hired hand, Lewis (Ben Chaplin), he, nevertheless, puts him in the bathtub. Soon everyone except his mother is in on the secret, but once he grows too big, it is apparent he must let him go back to the water to accommodate his amphibious nature.
  
  Enter the Scottish army. While they laudably provided for the Allies, they do make life uncomfortable for Angus and will soon do so for Crusoe when they find his presence in Loch Ness. Captain Hamilton (David Morrissey) is a reassuring presence for his mother, who certainly could use a man around the house, but the changes are certainly unsettling for Angus, who needs Crusoe as a reassuring outlet and companion. Crusoe is a nice escape for a boy who misses his father and must deal with a surrogate who knows little more than to say, "The boy needs more discipline." (In this way I saw the closest parallel to Pan's Labyrinth.)
  
  The scenes when Angus rides and befriends Crusoe are a highlight of the film, and the playful voyage is filled with nifty special effects. Some of the chase scenes in the harbor and around the house keep a playful spirit to the adventure. Like 'Stardust' and 'Enchanted' before it, 'Water Horse' is an entertaining and fun ride. While some of the elements borrow a bit from the classic 'E.T.,' this film is original and transporting enough in its own right. (Based on the book by Dick King-Smith)
  
  

• When you wish for magic, you might get a handful

  
  By A26TSW6AI59ZCV on 2008-05-11
  Angus MacMorrow is the lonely son of the head housekeeper of a Scottish manor, on the shores of Loch Ness. It is World War Two, and Angus's father went to serve in the Royal Navy. Angus is struggling to accept the possibility that his father might not come back.
  
  While Angus is not allowed to have any pets, as his family does not own the estate where they live, he unexpectedly finds a most unexpected pet, when he brings an egg back from the shore of Loch Ness. A magical creature, straight out of Celtic legends, the water horse is also known as a kelpie. It is now known by another name: the Loch Ness monster. But, when the egg hatches, what emerges acts much more like a puppy than a monster. However, water horses grow very rapidly, and the situation quickly gets out of hand, as Angus tries to keep his pet, whom he has named Crusoe, a secret.
  
  Two other factors come into play, as a mysterious stranger, Lewis Mowbray, shows up, plus a detachment of the Royal Army arrives under the dubious leadership of Captain Thomas Hamilton. Captain Hamilton distrusts Lewis, and is very attracted to Angus's mother, Anne Mac Morrow. Hamilton also feels that Angus needs more discipline, while Lewis and Angus become friends, as well as allies in keeping Crusoe a secret. It is Lewis who recognizes Crusoe as the legendary water horse.
  
  Things get very complicated when Hamilton pursues his cockamamie idea that Loch Ness will become a front in the war, vulnerable to a German submarine attack. His response to this bizarre idea, that might be an unconscious, or conscious, way for Hamilton to keep himself out of any real fighting, eventually puts Crusoe and Angus in great jeopardy. This all leads to a stunning, fast-paced climax, where both tragedy and triumph are possible. One suggestion: If you watch this film have no lights on in the room, when you watch that sequence, as it is very dark.
  
  Cast: There are no weak spots in the cast, but four characters really stand out and dominate their scenes.
  
  The entire story is being told, in retrospect, in modern-day Scotland, by an older gentleman to a pair of tourists, in a pub. You do not find out who the older man until the very end, but he tells the tale perfectly, and captures the attention of his audience, and mine. He is portrayed by Brian Cox, and he is perfectly cast.
  
  Ben Chaplin portrays the mysterious Lewis Mowbray, and he is also perfectly cast. Despite his air of mystery and tendency to be evasive about his past, he gives a thoroughly likeable Mowbray, whom you know, and Angus knows, can be trusted.
  
  Alex Etel was a real find by director Jay Russell, and is brilliant as Angus. He gives us a very credible little boy who desperately wants to believe in some things, while not wanting to believe the awful reality of his father's fate. Much of the film focuses on Angus, and he never stumbles or disappoints. In the Special Features, you see that Jay Russell immediately knew he had found the right boy to portray Angus, when he met him. You also see how physically demanding the role was.
  
  The other main character is Crusoe, and it is a real tribute to the special effects team that they could take computer-generated graphics and a set of models, and give us a magical beast that is noble, powerful, vulnerable, playful, thoroughly bonded with Angus, and highly expressive. I was especially impressed that, while the water horse grows rapidly, and does change as he grows, Crusoe remains Crusoe throughout the film. Plus, I never felt the interactions between Crusoe and the human actors were "off" or not realistic-looking.
  
  Two memorable moments There is a famous/infamous photograph of the Loch Ness monster, taken back in the thirties, that was later proven to be bogus. This film gives us a moment of comic relief, by giving a version of how that picture came to be.
  
  Just as Angus's mother is chastising him for believing in the old water horse legend, and giving Lewis an equally hard time for encouraging Angus to believe in such nonsense, all the characters stop looking at her, and look behind her. Her look, when she turns around, is priceless, and rivals the moment of wonder we saw in Sam Neill and Laura Dern, early in the original Jurassic Park (Widescreen Collector's Edition).
  
  Chris McCallister, author of Coming Full Circle
  
  

• What happened to the girl ?

  
  By A27CAEBK1DCSOQ on 2008-04-07
  In the book the main character is the sister. The change to a boy was not lost on my 10-year-old daughter, who lost interest in seeing the movie once she figured out from the previews that the sister lost out on the story. I don't see any reason for the big change - did they think no one would have actually read the book ?
  
  

• 3 Great reasons to see this film;the director,the cameraman and the composer

  
  By ATXL536YX71TR on 2008-01-15
  Don't dismiss this film as a kid's flick folks.You will do yourself a disservice.(Read other reviewer's plot synopses...this is not my reason for review!)
  
  In 2001 I had the privilege to work for director Jay Russell when he was here in Baltimore to film his second feature film Tuck Everlasting.His first film had been a sleeper hit,My Dog Skip (Keepcase).Russell is a very exacting individual and things will change and change and change until they are what he wants! I admired this in him,and consequently both of his films,very "G" to "PG", are beautifully and wonderfully tender and sentimental and really have staying power.So, though Russell generally aims for wide appeal to all audiences,I knew that THE WATER HORSE would require Kleenex and a huge cheer.I was right.The story is really quite simple as all of his films are...the "truth" behind the fantasy of The Loch Ness Monster of Scottish lore. BUT, there are two other reasons that this Jay Russell film should be viewed by film buffs who can see beyond that this is potentially a "Family Film" only.Russell was able to secure Oscar winning cinematographer Dick Pope (The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Widescreen Edition),Topsy-Turvy,Nicholas Nickleby etc) (see my Listmania ) who in my opinion is unrivaled in camera work in current cinema; and the next reason to view THE WATER HORSE is for top soundtrack composer James Newton Howard's amazing Celtic score (Water Horse: Legend Of The Deep with the help of Ireland's #1 group "The Chieftains" and singing sensation Sinead O'Connor.Russell,Pope and Howard take this film way beyond "just for children" and delight the artist's eyes and ears.There is more to a film than just the story.It is all about the packaging and delivery that makes 'em enduring and endearing.Young and old,artist or not,THE WATER HORSE is a first class trip into excellent film making.
  
  
• Eye-catching,sensitive,beautifully rendered "Water Horse"
  By AG5B52W3Z10V4 on 2008-02-09
  If this film had been made in 1980 like E.T. - The Extra-Terrestrial (Widescreen Edition),throngs would be going to see it; but alas the cynicism of a jaded 2008 audience will relegate this film to a "good family flick" because of the lack of cussing,sex and violence.Jay Russell has always known how to construct a good film and he has always hand-picked the very best in the business to be on his crew;"The Water Horse: The Legend of the Deep" is one such film,eye-catching,sensitive,beautifully formed narrative,gorgeous cinematography and lighting and superb performances from the likes of Emily Watson,Ben Chaplin, Brian Cox and a talented newcomer Alex Etel shouldering the majority of this film.There is an enormous amount of the finest of cast and crew available to the film industry that has assembled this outstanding movie.
  
  Special kudos go to the art department and model-people who constructed the Loch Ness Monster,Crusoe, who comes off as real as any human actor in this picture.The underwater photo sequences are brilliant, and the editing is first rate,capturing the ride that Crusoe gives his young friend,Angus.
  
  As far as plot,it is 1940 Scotland,WW2 is raging,British troops are engaged and young Angus' father has gone to War leaving him as a quiet,lonely child along with his Mother (Emily Watson) and older sister (odd name which I missed!).The British troops garrison the home as a lookout for German U-boats entering Loch Ness.At this time, Angus, finds an odd "egg" buried in the stones of the shoreline.Lo,it cracks open,and this engaging little sea creature of sorts appears;he is adorable.Angus names him Crusoe, and attempts to raise him with no one knowing.Crusoe thinks that little Angus is his Father and looks to him for food. This is where the fun really begins in this film.Up to this point, things have moved rather slowly to set up all that is to come.Now, the story breaks wide open to everyone's delight.It impossible to not remember other sea creature films such as Triple Feature: Free Willy/Free Willy 2 - The Adventure Home/Free Willy 3 - The Rescue and Flipper,but neither of those films can compare in breadth to "The Water Horse."
  James Newton Howard's soundtrack, by Richard Lancaster and Andrew Kitchen,top film score actualizers,along with the vocal assistance of Sinead O'Connor and the Celtic Wonders,"The Chieftains", make this a complete and satisfying adventure.If you relegate this film to "family status" you will do yourself an adult injustice.A
  
  
• would have been good without all the guns
  By A3KM9UA6MAVURN on 2008-04-09
  This was a good story (from the book) made mediocre and pat by film-makers and with the added idiocy of gratitous violence. Since when does family fare mean men machine gunning a child's pet?
  
  The story couldn't be about the trials of dealing with such a huge wild creature in a domestic setting, no, they had to introduce guns and cannons shooting at the creature. The girl from the book is turned into a boy in the film (because the powers that be decree that girls will go to movies about boys, but we can't expect the reverse, even in the 21st century).
  
  I could have done without the whole war subplot. First we have the animal machine gunned and bombed. Then we see the men who were so brave to go after the creature with machine guns turning into snivelling crawlers when face to face without their weapons. Why is any of this necessary, or good family fare?
  
  While the animation of the waterhorse is wonderful, and the creature brought to life most delightfully -- and the boy actor was quite good, even if a standin for the original girl - the storyline was just awful.
  
  Rent this movie, don't buy it, and beware it's not for children of whatever age that would object to a lot of men shooting at or trying to trap and kill a child's "pet". Not a movie for all children. 2 1-2 stars, for great animation, good music and scenery, but terribly bad script that suffers from the Hollywood idea that action requires shooting. It's time for parents to just start boycotting this sort of pointlessly violent and damaging adaptation of what was (in the book) a good story.
  
  
• a much better family film than the usual Hollywood schlop
  By A1GPLRNNATEDNE on 2008-01-09
  I'm surprised to see so many reviewers state that this is good only as a kids' movie. I thought it was great myself, and both I (at 34) and my daughter (just turned 6) loved this movie. It had both humor and serious themes, and both realism and fantasy; history and lore. I can't imagine how it could have been better myself. I like that it wasn't dumbed down for kids. We get enough of that and we're tired of it. We don't want to sit through that rubbish ourselves and we don't like our kids to be talked down to. This movie doesn't condescend. It basically shows a child in an adult's world, dealing with responsibility and loss... but strangely it is a feel-good movie. Highly recommended!
  
  (To parents: you must know your child - it has some tense moments and atypical of the American kids' movies, people still smoke and say "arse", but not a lot. Also there is artillery fire by the English army who plays a somewhat negative role in parts, but is basically redeemed as their leader begins to believe.)
  
  
• "He can't live in the toilet bowl forever!"
  By A3RWR50VUII07D on 2008-02-03
  Director Jay Russell knows how to put a film together,there's no doubt about that;his films comtain some wonderful and reliable crew,notably Tony Burrough whose set design is, as per usual magnificent; and the uncredited lighting expert,Dick Pope,whom we, in the film industry,seek to emulate."The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" is really at it's core an adult film;children will love and laugh at the sea creature in all his stages of development;and they will cheer for him as eludes those who wish to harm him as he attempts to leave the Loch;but with it's theme of Royal British Navy occupying Highlands Scotland during World War 2 and the danger of German U-boats invading the Loch,"The Water Horse" lands solidly on adult ground for deepest understanding of the back story.
  As an adult,I was charmed and delighted with Jay Russell's latest gem;after My Dog Skip and Tuck Everlasting, Russell takes us to Scotland Lochs and New Zealand to recreate the story of the Loch Ness Monster Fable and his "father", the lonely Angus, who keenly feels the loss of his own Father to the War effort.Angus discovers the egg that hatches,names the creature Crusoe, and attempts to raise him as a parent would raise his own child.In fact, this really is the theme of the picture: losing a parent and growing up,and being a parent and letting go.
  It was refreshing to see Ben Chaplin as the handyman speaking in a perfectly clipped Highland Brogue.The radiant as ever Emily Watson plays the mother.Alex Etel, though,portrays the young Angus with true heart.a hallmark of all of Jay Russell's films.He finds a wonderful child actor,then touches the child in all of us.
  No child can stay at home forever, and no monster "can live in a toilet bowl forever." A very compelling and beautifully visual film.
  
  
• Lost
  By A4JP4T1F95D0A on 2008-04-13
  I watched this movie with my 9 year old boy. I thought the movie was well made and well acted. The story was interesting and the special effects were for the most part good. Aside from a few seconds when the boy was riding the monster, Nessie looked pretty real. The story takes place in Scotland during the beginning of WWII. A fatherless boy finds an egg which hatches into a baby version of the lock ness monster. Soon enough the monster grows into the full sized version of the creature. For me the story was good and above the usual kid fare. For my son however, the story didn't hold him. Aside from the dog chasing scenes and the ending, he was reading a book during most of the movie without looking up much. Normally he is captivated by most movies in his age group and won't do anything else while it is on. But I rate this one low because it is a kid's movie and it didn't entertain my own child.
  
  
• Excellent, Excellent Movie
  By ALNFHVS3SC4FV on 2008-06-06
  What makes a movie 5 star?
  
  Is it an intertesting storyline? Is it well written? Great directing? Wonderful actors? Great casting? Beautiful scenery?
  
  Or does it have drama? Supsense? Or a movie that stirs your emotions? A movie that makes you say "Wow, I really enjoyed that!"?
  
  Well, the Water Horse has all these elements. The story of a young boy and a mysterious egg that hatches into a legendary monster.
  
  This movie is worth buying and watching for years to come. A movie for the whole family; adults and children alike can enjoy. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed it. One of the best movies I've seen in a long time. You'll treasure this DVD.
  
  
• OK as a children's film
  By A2TT4AA3QO0DPY on 2007-12-26
  When I saw the preview for "Water Horse: Legend of the Deep," I was hoping it would be an entertaining, if kid-oriented movie. Well, at least it's kid-oriented.
  
  An American tourist couple in a Scottish bar see the famous alleged photograph of the Loch Ness Monster. The man says that the photo is fake, and an elderly Scottish man says that there's more to the photograph than they think. So we flashback to the 1940s, and see the story of young Angus MacMorrow, who finds a large egg on the shores of Loch Ness. Out of the egg comes a mysterious dragon/dinosaur creature. Angus names him Crusoe. The animal turns out to have a pleasant disposition, and except for occasionally snapping at Angus and running through the house (and drawing the attention of the dog in the process), is generally very loveable. Crusoe, of course requires food and a wet environment, which Angus does his best to provide. Unfortunately, a division of the British Army, having reason to believe that the Nazis might try to invade Scotland via the shoreline where the MacMarrows' house is, come and station themselves there. So Angus must keep Crusoe a secret from the troops and everyone else. His sister does find out, however, as does the new handyman Lewis Mowbray. As Crusoe eats, however, he becomes too big to keep in the house, and Lewis and Angus decide they should put him in the lake. In the meantime, Angus's mother Anne finds her son's behavior erratic, and decided to put him under the supervision of the head of the garrison, Captain Hamilton. Angus cannot stop thinking of Crusoe, however, and goes off looking for him. Eventually Angus finds his "pet", who is now as big as a dinosaur. After Captain Hamilton fires artillery into the lake, Crusoe is seriously frightened, and loses his friendly disposition next time Angus sees him. The rest of the movie basically consists of Angus trying to get Crusoe to have a happy time on his own and getting him past the army's submarine net.
  
  Kids (at least the younger ones) will probably enjoy "Water Horse." It has a nice (if predictable) story of a boy finding and befriending a loveable creature and trying to protect it. Unfortunately, there are far too many flaws for the movie to appeal across the age range. For instance, the movie takes way too long to get to the main plot development point of Crusoe being bombarded. Further, it's not really clear who the antagonist in the movie is supposed to be. There's a sinister-looking soldier that Angus sees a few times, but he really does not turn out to be a villain. Nor does Captain Hamilton. Some parts of "Water Horse" were not believable. For instance, the first time after Crusoe surfaces after being bombarded, he turns vicious, but then turns back to his old self, just like that. Finally, the scenes of Crusoe trying to get past the submarine net are way too cloying, not to mention them being a rip-off of Free Willy. This movie is good for kids, but to everyone else I would advise waiting until it's available to rent.
  
  
• A decent kid's movie that could have been simply a great movie.
  By A1HNFI34RIL4RS on 2008-01-02
  This is a kid movie. It is definitely aimed at the 8-14 set, and my son aged 10 adored it. It definitely captured his budding cryptid interest, and has set him in search of the book the movie's based on and all other things Nessie.
  
  This did not need to be a kid movie.
  
  This could have been the movie that straddled the gap between Narnia and Pan's Labyrinth. It would have been a delight, with a strong central plot and lots of character development among the secondary characters. The visuals are good, the water horse well realized. The background - well, it's Scotland. Craggy and beautiful.
  
  Except some film idiot got a hold of it.
  
  The movie, if just a shade darker, could have the same inspirational notes and themes. The same imagery, the same tonal moods in both score and visuals.
  
  There is a place near my home that makes wonderful homemade old-style pies. She does not use the filling that is in a jar; there is no syrup in her apple pies. There is one drawback to her pies: After you've eaten one, you can tell when a can of goopy fructose is used to substitute for inferior ingredients or skill.
  
  This movie could have been great, but I could not help but be annoyed at the heavy saccharine glaze. It was a little too obvious - the music swells noticeably when it's inspirational, the lightning flashes on the antagonist's face a little too cartoonishly. It is like taking a delighful pie and dumping fructose on it, like taking a natural beauty and covering thier face in cake makeup, like a finely crafted tiramisu and covering it in hot fudge.
  
  Don't get me wrong - the goodness in all of those things does show through. It's a movie well worth taking your kids to, both to spur thier interest in things unusual and to have a fun time. It's just a shame that this movie wasn't made to its full potential - still accessible for kids, but not leaving adults with a saccharine aftertaste.
  
  
• Excellent!!
  By AG20KA5386FKG on 2008-01-04
  Such superb visual effects that the water horse could almost be real. Depicted how it would have been during wartime, I found this movie entertaining and great viewing. Adults and children ages 5 and over would like this movie.....excellent!!!!!!!! Can't wait for it to be sold as a dvd.
  
  
• Take ME for a Ride!
  By A28OB1QLXN5BM6 on 2008-03-13
  I just saw this film with my husband and 10 ½ year old daughter...excuse me, she says 10 ¾. The Water Horse was thoroughly enjoyed by all. It is a treat for the entire family, sparking the imagination of young and old alike.
  
  A near-tear jerker, set in WWII, on the banks of (we find out later) Loch Ness, this is a whimsical story of healing, full of adventure, laughter, friendship, and love. The beginning is filled with an appropriate amount of tension, drawing the audience immediately into the tale. As the story unfolds, we learn a little about Scottish folklore, a little about WWII behind the Allied front (way, way behind), and a lot about a young boy, who conquers his worst fears, helped by the love of his unique best friend. In the end, they save each other.
  
  The cinematography is simply breathtaking. The location, the lighting, and the camera angles all work together to immerse the viewer in a rural Scottish village of the time. The starkness of the loch and the beauty of the rugged land create a perfect setting for this film.
  
  I have no idea how the creature was created. I assume CGI. But let me tell you, it really did look like the animal was swimming in a bathtub full of water - splashes, slop, and all. I completely believed it. Near the end of the film, I found myself yelling at the characters to save Crusoe...to the high amusement of my family.
  
  I highly recommend this film for children of all ages. You will not be disappointed.
  
  
  
• Water Horse
  By A245AST0T0AZTJ on 2008-03-22
  This is a delightful movie. The characters are genuine and the story is entertaining for children and adults alike. Taking a legend and building a movie around it may not be a new idea, but this movie was done in such a way that it is believable throughout, even though it is all fiction. The movie was both entertaining and intriguing. The only thing I suspected all along was the identity of the old man telling the story. The rest was just a darn good movie.
  
  
• cute movie
  By A1DQHS7MOVYYYA on 2008-04-08
  Ok, I'll admit it, I didn't see this movie for the kids(I don't have any!). I watched it by myself. I love animals and the legend of the lochness monster I find really interesting. I was thrilled when I saw the preview in the theatre, but later decided not to see it because I form unnecessary attachments to fictitious animals(for the duration of the movie) and get really upset when they get hurt/die. So at that time decided it was a rental option only.
  The special effects were awesome and they gave an amazing realism to Crusoe, the water horse. From hatching to adulthood he was so real looking! I found some of the dialog to be..a little low(mumbling maybe) and the Scottish accent can be a bit hard to understand, I did fine with it but I think some kids might be bewildered by it. The kids in the film were super, their mom seemed a bit...stiff. That might be just how the actress decided the character was.
  PLOT SPOILER AHEAD(Barely):
  My only concern was I found some of the missiles they were shooting into the loch to be really upsetting. For those kids who are too young to understand that Crusoe is digital, they might think this is a real animal getting nearly killed by missiles. So I didn't really love the war aspect of it to be honest. I found the best part of the movie to be the first 1/2 before Crusoe moves to the loch. After that, embarrassingly enough, I cried thru most of it (maybe I was just having an emotional moment, it's probably not a normal reaction!)but thank goodness the water horse survives, otherwise it would have been a really miserable movie for me.
  Anyway! I think it would be a fun movie for kids 8 and up, and the special features on the 2nd disc were great. They delve more into movie making and also the story of the Lochness creature.
  
  
• Water Horse
  By A2ZEYDCQVPTNKS on 2008-04-16
  A wonderful movie for children, it gives them responsibilty in caring for something that could not care for itself..to see it grow up & the animal still cared for the person who helped it! My Grandchilren loves animals & that helped them to see how important it is to follow through on caring for anilmals....I give it a 5 Star! Thanks
  
  
• IT'S GOOD MOVIE!!!
  By A2WE94927YC3KI on 2008-04-18
  THIS MOVIE IS GOOD, IT'S FANTASY AND INTERESTING. THIS MOVIE INTERESTS FOR CHILDREN. THIS MOVIE WAS GOOD SCRIPT AND NICE STORY. THIS MOVIE WAS KEEPING EYES OPEN FOR CHILDREN. EVERYONE ENJOYS THIS MOVIE.
  
  
• 5 stars? Come on people.
  By A2VRAT69JDAD3W on 2008-05-21
  The Waterhorse isn't a terrible movie. But it definitely fancies itself much grander and more important than it really is. The movie is quite simply a Free Willy rehash with window dressing. (I won't insult E.T. by putting them in the same sentence).
  
  Kids will love The Waterhorse, no question. But for adults, it will overstay it's welcome. The CG effects start out pretty good but once the creature reaches full size, the CG goes from passable to terrible. That's forgivable in a movie like this. But what isn't forgivable is that the plot overstays it's welcome and moves in slow motion the entire time. There is no real peak or emotional summit. It's one big flatline interrupted by the occasional cutesy boy and his dog scene.
  
  5 stars? I think not. Not even close.
  
  
• A well done fantasy that is much more than the Monster
  By AUHG8KSHI529U on 2008-05-22
  What is unusual about this story is that while it involves a magical monster, the movie is really about the family, the situation, and involves the monster - the Water Horse - almost incidentally. The story we see is a visualization of a story told in a pub by an older man in response to a young couple's comment about the famous picture of the Loch Ness Monster. The story begins during World War II in Scotland at and near Loch Ness. It is about a boy, Angus MacMorrow, who is terrified of the water and yet is drawn to it. He finds a strange egg and when it hatches into a strange creature much like a miniature sea dinosaur with funny looking horn like knobs on its head, he befriends and cares for it.
  
  Angus lives on a huge estate because his mother, Anne, runs the staff of servants for the absent Lord. Her husband was lost at sea when his ship was torpedoed and while she realizes she is a widow, Angus keeps his father's workshop as a shrine and is determined he will return. The army comes to the estate and sets up camp ostensibly to protect Scotland from an invasion of the German Navy from the North Sea into the Loch. In reality, someone in power gave the commander this assignment to protect him and keep him out of the way. The commander seems to be the only one oblivious to the silly nature of his mission and he treats it with a dangerous seriousness. He also takes a shine to the widow Anne, and while she is flattered she has her son's troubles and running the estate on her mind.
  
  Angus tries to keep the growing monster hidden and has to enlist his reluctant sister and the new handyman, the stranger Lewis Mowbray. Eventually, the Water Horse has to be put in the Loch and Angus says good-bye. But the connection between the two is too strong to be denied. This is where the magical adventure begins and has a big part in transforming and saving young Angus. However, the military inadvertently gets on the monster's last nerve and some very bad things ensue. Of course, no one in the military takes Angus seriously, but it is up to Angus to aid the Water Horse and open his mother's eyes.
  
  I will let you find out what happens in the story, but it is all quite well done. Nothing that happens is too shocking, but is often quite touching. The movie's effects are also quite well done and even impressive. But I will point out again how impressed I was that they used the Water Horse well, but not as the consuming focus of the story.
  
  While it is a family film, kids below eight may have trouble following the story unless they are quite bright. The story has a number of threads that you have to keep track of. Maybe little kids will get enough out of the effects and the slapstick with the dog and the military guys that they won't care that they aren't able to put everything together.
  
  The acting is all quite well done and a cut about what we usually get in these kinds of fantasies.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI
  
  
  
• Boring boring movie
  By A1199ZDLGRO2HF on 2008-06-17
  This was an incredibly boring movie. Good for kids, thats about it.
  
  Some really bad points:
  
  It was sooooo predictable. Examples are: The rock would be Crusoe, the water horse. The army man would be a nuisance the whole movie until the end when he saw the water horse. The handyman and the woman would fall for each other. The old man in the beginning telling the story is actually the boy that found crusoe. Crusoe would escape to the sea. These are just the main things, everything in the entire movie you knew would happen minutes before it did. Thats just poor story telling.
  
  Typical characters and characteristics. The only interesting character was the handyman because he attempted humor (and failed miserably) and he had some history to him, which, of course, they didn't develop.
  
  So the story and the characters were horrible, can it be any worse?
  
  Some good points:
  
  Cast was good, they did a descent job. They sounded realistic so thats good enough for me. The music was good, I love scotish music. And I liked the accents, love scotish accents.
  
  If you like the typical family movie with a cutsie story then this is the movie for you. If you do not want something that you can watch for ten minutes and know the whole story, then don't get this. Simple as that.
  
  
• I liked it better the first time...
  By A10WXN0EFSKHZJ on 2008-07-02
  This movie was just okay the first time I watched it, when it was called Free Willy. It might be really fun for kids 10 and younger, but the rest of the gang will be bored quickly. If you'd like a good clean movie for the kids to watch then this is a good one. Otherwise, pass...
  
  
• Excellent and sweet movie.
  By A91BK8S5QH98K on 2008-10-04
  This movie is very refreshing with its focus on the friendship between a young boy and his newly discovered pet, none other than a waterhorse of Celtic lore. The tenderness between the two is touching and people of all ages will enjoy it. The movie is very well done. And appropriate for all ages.
  
  
• 10/10 points! Great film for anyone age 7-100!!!
  By AA0NBT9XMNEJF on 2007-12-30
  Great film for anyone age 7-100! Great actors and nice environment scene ang great footage! I am looking forward to buy it on DVD!!! Greetings to you from Sweden
  
  
• Cute little story
  By A3FY3H6F4249E0 on 2008-03-10
  A cute little movie, safe for all ages, I saw this one in the theater. It is a fictional story about a lochness type monster. A young boy in Scotland finds a big old stone and brings it back home to check it out. He's called away from the shed (his daddy's workshop) and while gone, the stone (really an egg) hatches. He returns to find an absolutely adorable, and very hungry, little creature that kind of looks like a small seal.
  
  The story is set in WWII time. The boy's daddy left to fight the Nazis in a sub. A group of soldiers show up at the family estate to camp out and fight the Nazi's. Note--this is not a "fight-the-Nazis" movie. The soldiers stationed at the estate is just a sub-plot to WATCH for Nazis. They just set up a watch and fire some guns off (in case you are worried about your children seeing war scenes). A caretaker type guy comes to help run the estate. While slightly mysterious at first, the caretaker is a good guy.
  
  Anyway, as the little seal-like creature eats, he grows. He loves water too. Unbeknownst to the boy's mother, the Water Horse is moved to the bathtub, then hidden in the toilet, and he keeps growing. Eventually he gets to romping around the house and discovers the bulldog that belongs to one of the solders.
  
  It's a story of adventure, friendship, and laughter as the Water Horse grows, gets into some antics, and (as you have probably guessed) gets too big for the bathtub and has to be released in the Loch (river). His friendship with the boy leads to an incredible water adventure.
  
  I am always happy to see a nice movie like this that a family can watch together and that does NOT have violence or sex in it.
  
  
  
• Entertaining on Several Levels
  By A240FRPD4MEXND on 2008-04-10
  Some days it's great just to get away from the troubles of the world to a little bit of light, pleasing entertainment. The Water Horse will do the trick, and, like any good tale, it works on several levels.
  
  First, it features beautiful photography of the magnificent Scottish Highlands. Add to this period furnishings of a Scottish manor house, and the clothing of the World War II era -- you might get a touch of nostalgia, but not enough to be cloying.
  
  Next comes the character of the water horse. From infant through toddler through teenager and on to adulthood, this animation is utterly believeable. Movement and facial expressions are excellent.
  
  Third is that the human characters are allowed to unfold over time without the rigidity of simple stereotypes that so often characterize current films. We see not only behaviors that define character, but are given the opportunity to understand the whys underlying those behaviors.
  
  Fourth is the tale itself -- a timeless story that speaks to some instinctual yearning for true love and true freedom dwelling within the human spirit.
  
  Time will tell whether this film has the pull to become a classic. I hope it will.
  
  Highly recommended for family viewing.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• A sweet and charming children's movie that touches the heart...
  By ANCOMAI0I7LVG on 2008-04-14
  `The Water Horse' is one of those extremely good natured children's movies that just burrows itself into the viewers heart and makes for such an entertaining and memorable movie experience. The graphics are superbly done, the acting is sincere and moving and the story is one filled with the wonderment of a children's fantasy but is also grounded with a sense of human truth that paints a very realistic picture of human emotion for the audience. It's a children's movie that will touch the hearts of adults.
  
  `The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep' presumes to tell the `true' story of Nessie; the Lock Ness Monster. It tells us the story of Angus, a troubled young boy who is waiting patiently for his father to return from war. In the opening scenes Angus finds a strange egg-shaped rock that's washed ashore. He takes it home and leaves it in his father's old workshop only to return later to find that the rock was indeed and egg and it has hatched. That's when Angus meets Crusoe (aptly named after the shipwrecked hero), a dinosaur-like creature who has an insatiable appetite for destruction.
  
  Angus quickly forms an attachment to this cute little creature, but that friendship is threatened when a slew of Scottish soldiers get stationed on the same estate in which Angus lives. On top of that, the new handyman that has been hired has taken over the workshop and has left Angus without a place to store his new pet. Knowing that his mother with strongly disapprove of Crusoe, Angus enlists the help of his sister, and this new handyman Lewis to help him keep Crusoe hidden and out of harms way. When Crusoe gets too big to store indoors though and is forced to retreat to Loch Ness, things begin to get dangerous, especially when a certain soldier gets the grand idea to hunt Crusoe down.
  
  For the most part this movie was beautifully constructed and utterly charming. The relationships between Angus and the people around him are real and fleshed out well. His love for Crusoe of course gets the brunt of the films attention, but the realness of his love for his father is also a shining light in the film.
  
  The acting is great here. Alex Etel (from 2005's `Millions') is very capable as young Angus. His performance is very controlled and believable. I thought he was amazing in `Millions' and was delighted to see him in another great role. Ben Chaplin is effective as Lewis Mowbray and David Morrissey is flawless as the good-natured yet rough Captain Thomas Hamilton. Emily Watson (who is ALWAYS flawless) turns in a nice supporting role even though she isn't given too much to do. She evokes real emotion and commands her every scene, especially her closing scene. I enjoy Brian Cox quite a bit and thought that his small role here is quite effective. He knows how to command your attention, much like Sir Anthony Hopkins can; just by simply being on the screen.
  
  `The Water Horse' is a tad on the predictable side, and I found myself disliking the ending. I enjoyed the fluid and charismatic way this film flowed up until the end where it began to resemble a certain `Free Willy'. The ending still doesn't destroy all the good that this film does for the first three quarters.
  
  
• Great Family Movie
  By A1JK07R0LGQYPK on 2008-04-28
  A sweet movie about love and trust even though those involved are two entirely different species! Has a great ending and is very well made. I highly recommended this movie for the whole family.
  
  
• Entertaining - And Not Just For Kids
  By A3PR56KEC4AG5F on 2008-05-01
  I didn't see "The Water Horse" in the theater as not many children's movies appeal these days. So I was pleased to discover on DVD that "The Water Horse" was crafted with oldschool charm, story, and values as well as topnotch production. The story is simple enough for even young children (although some scenes may be too scary for the very young), but there are also nice touches of sophistication for adults. And when I say sophistication I don't mean thinly veiled dirty jokes, I mean actual drama, humor and story elements that will speak to adults. The special effects are first rate, as is the photography of the stunning Scottish countryside. A real family treat that will stand up to repeated viewings.
  
  

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