Parent Movie Guide, Parental Site.com - Review:The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

	Film Title: The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep		Best for ages: 8 and up.

	Movie Website: Click Here	Year Released: 2007	Rated: PG (US) PG (UK)

SYNOPSIS
The Water Horse is based on the novel by Dick King-Smith and David Parkins. American tourists in a Scottish pub come across a picture of the Loch Ness Monster, as they are talking about it, they are invited by an older man hear the legend of the mystical creature. The story takes place in Scotland during World War II. The main character, Angus MacMorrow is a young boy who loves collecting rocks and shells at the shoreline of Loch Ness, he is a lonely boy who longs for his fathers return. He finds an unusual rock, which later hatches into a sea-creature, he names Crusoe. Crusoe comes into Angus' life at a good time, his life is turned upside down. His father is fighting the war (later we find out he is not coming home), English Soldiers take over their house (they are there to fight off the Germans) and his family is not as close as they used to be, they are lacking laugher and closeness. With a fun turn of events, Angus, Kirstie MacMorrow (his sister) and Lewis (the handyman, who becomes very close to the family) tries to hide Crusoe from Anne (their mother) and the soldiers. Some scenes will make you laugh. Almost overnight, Crusoe grows into the a gigantic Loch Ness Monster, knowing he must be released back into the water. Angus is very upset to loose his best friend. Some of the town's people and soldiers get wind of the "monster" and Crouse survival skills are put to the test, while Angus and Lewis try to protect him.
VIOLENCE/GRAPHIC CONTENT/language
There is a lot of using God's name in vein and using come Scottish slang words. Nothing to offence in my opinion. There are a few kisses from a female household chef and a military cook. The household chef does smoke and drink in an early scene and there are a few scenes in a pub where there is smoking and drinking. This movie take place during WWII, there are scenes where the solders are shooting their riffles and cannons. If your child is war sensitive, this is not a good movie to watch. Some of the later scenes were on the violent side. The lock ness monster because evil looking, red eyes and shows his sharp teeth (due to the cannons being shot into the water) and snaps his teeth at Angus and some others. Crusoe also picks up a man with his mouth and shakes him violently and throws him to the ground. In a rage, he also flips over a military boat. The military cook had a bulldogs that harasses Crusoe as a small "monster", but after Crusoe grows into a gigantic "monster" he takes revenue on the dog. It is implied but never shown that he attacks the bulldog.
OVERALL VIEWS
Overall, it is a fun whimsical movie for the whole family to watch. During the middle of the movie, it does get a bit slow, but it will soon capture your attention towards the end. The ending has a scene that reminded me of the 1993 move, FREE WILLY. Great special effects on the mystical creature of mythology. The "Water Horse" goes from a mini creature to a gigantic "monster", very believable. The special effects are by Weta, the same company that did the digital effects for THE LORD OF THE RINGS films. The Scottish scenery is beautiful, you'll feel like you are sitting on the edge of Lock Ness. The acting and cinematography work well together, making this a great movie for your collection.
BUY THIS MOVIE.