RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
73 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:81

Fresh:59

Rotten:22

Average Rating:6.5/10

Consensus: The Water Horse is a fine family film. It takes a classic tale and infuses it with extra imagination, sly humor, heart, and inventive special effects.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some action/peril, mild language and brief smoking.

Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:Dec 25, 2007 Wide

Box Office: $40,412,817

Synopsis: Based on the novel by BABE author Dick King-Smith, THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP is set in Scotland during World War II, and focuses on Angus (Alex Etel), a young boy who discovers an unusual... Based on the novel by BABE author Dick King-Smith, THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP is set in Scotland during World War II, and focuses on Angus (Alex Etel), a young boy who discovers an unusual egg at Loch Ness. When the egg hatches to reveal a dinosaur-like creature, Angus finds that he has a unique pet--a mythical "water horse," which he names Crusoe. Complicating matters are Crusoe's fast growth rate and soldiers stationed near the lake, factors that make it very tricky to keep the friendly beastie a secret. A thoroughly likable family film directed by Jay Russell (TUCK EVERLASTING), THE WATER HORSE provides an intriguing spin on the classic boy-and-his-dog tale. While Etel, who won over audiences in MILLIONS, ably carries the movie, he is supported by a topnotch ensemble that includes Emily Watson as his mother, newcomer Priyanka Xi as his sister, and Ben Chaplin as a good-natured handyman. Primarily sharing the screen with Etel, however, is the Loch Ness Monster-in-the-making, which is wonderfully rendered by Weta, the company behind the digital effects for THE LORD OF THE RINGS films. Both cute and--in his larger state--intimidating, Crusoe strikes up a surprisingly believable relationship with Angus, providing the heart of this beautifully photographed story. [More]

Starring: Emily Watson, Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, David Morrissey

Starring: Emily Watson, Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, David Morrissey, Brian Cox

Director: Jay Russell

Director: Jay Russell
Screenwriter: Robert Nelson Jacobs
Producer: Robert Bernstein, Douglas Rae, Barrie M. Osbourne, Charlie Lyons
Composer: James Newton Howard
Studio: Columbia Pictures

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
    Ben Chaplin
    >
    Alex Etel
    >
1 - 3 of 3

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Mar 25, 2008

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

... we are able to sit back and enjoy the fun without ever losing sight of the sadness underneath.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
07/04/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
ESplatter

The story nicely interweaves the legend of the Loch Ness monster with a tale of childhood angst, wartime drama and adventure.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
04/17/08
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Pleasingly evokes the days when Roddy McDowall frolicked with Flicka and Lassie, [but] it must be said that a CGI pet is not quite so easy to love as a flesh-and-blood performer, animal or human.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
04/06/08
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

Mal conseguindo ocultar o fato de ter sido claramente inspirado em "E.T.", é um filme terrivelmente irregular que traz personagens esquemáticos e um monstrinho tão "simpáticos" que jamais temos certeza se este irá devorar seu amigo humano ou não.

comment 2 Comments
02/14/08
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

'Tis a great beastie, and not a wee pig, this time around.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
02/09/08
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

The only reasons to stay awake are the nature porn shots of the Highlands impossibly green hills and gray skies, and a nimble bit performance by a bulldog named Churchill

Full Review Source: I.E. Weekly | comment Comment
01/29/08
Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson
I.E. Weekly

It doesn't condescend to kids; its themes and narrative structure are fairly sophisticated.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
01/14/08
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Although it's a fantasy, 'The Water Horse' makes us believe we're actually seeing 1940s Scotland on the big screen.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/12/08
Betty Jo Tucker
Betty Jo Tucker
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

An intelligent and family-friendly variation on the boy and his dog story in which the 'dog' is a cuddly little creature that turns into the Loch Ness monster.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
01/10/08
M. K. Terrell
M. K. Terrell
Christian Science Monitor

A heart-warming film about a boy and a magic sea creature, The Water Horse captures the wonder of a timeless tale by combining good storytelling with a strong sense of time and place

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/08/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile

The Water Horse's fluctuation between wholesome kiddie flick, complete with silly humor, and dark fantasy/coming-of-age drama ultimately proves too unwieldy for the filmmakers to handle, causing the film to sink under the weight of all its well-meaning bu

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
01/08/08
Stax
Stax
IGN Movies

[A] disappointing mixed bag.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment 1 Comment
01/07/08
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...the pacing flags a bit in the protracted climax, but it's fun overall.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
01/04/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

The film does affirm the basic message of the best kind of fairy tale: as with water, so with other things: there is more to this world than what we see on the surface.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
01/04/08
Peter T. Chattaway
Peter T. Chattaway
Christianity Today

One of the strengths of The Water Horse is that it doesn’t compromise and keeps things real even with the fantastical elements.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
01/03/08
Jonathan W. Hickman
Jonathan W. Hickman
Entertainment Insiders

Predictable family fantasy not as good as book.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
01/02/08
Charles Cassady
Charles Cassady
Common Sense Media

If you're in search of family fare that won't have the adults in the audience checking their watches, this is it.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
01/02/08
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Despite the drama, there is nothing in The Water Horse that will frighten young children. The cast is good, and the special effects are even better.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
12/31/07
Maria Garcia
Maria Garcia
Film Journal International

You can't go wrong with a family movie about a boy and his pet ... even if that pet goes from the size of a puppy to a full-blown sea monster in a matter of days.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
12/29/07
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

Russell scores big by casting young Alex Etel as Angus. Etel made us believe in saints in the film Millions. Now he makes us believes that a computer generated water horse is a living and breathing creature.

Full Review Source: KPBS.org | comment Comment
12/28/07
Beth Accomando
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

February 29, 2008: UPDATED: UK Box Office Breakdown: Odeon Snubs Rambo
Jumper holds on to the number one spot at the UK box office, but only because a dispute between Sony and Odeon kept the film of the cinema chain's 100+ screens. More...

February 22, 2008: UK Box Office Breakdown: Jumper Leaps into First
Jumper takes the top spot in this week's UK box office, but Juno holds strong at number three and there are strong performances for There Will Be Blood and Cloverfield. More...

February 01, 2008: Claire Danes Joins Zac Efron in Linklater's Me and Orson Welles
He's been known to make the most of modern technology in his films, but for his next project, Richard Linklater is taking his inspiration from a good old-fashioned book. More...

January 10, 2008: Box Office Guru Preview: Captain Jack and Captain Morgan Set Sail
For the first time in three weeks, studios will pack a Friday with plenty of new releases as four films open or expand nationwide giving the box office chart a major shakeup.... More...

See All

More DVDs

Close
Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
40% 40% Surrogates
83% 83% Whip It
29% 29% Gamer
97% 97% The Hurt Locker
81% 81% Michael Jackson's This…

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
87% 87% A Serious Man
37% 37% The Time Traveler's Wife
78% 78% Bronson
11% 11% The Stepfather

More New Releases…

See All

RT On Current TV

The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

Learn how you can be part of the show

More...

What’s Hot On RT

Runaways Pictures

Runaways Pictures

Run away with Kristen and Dakota!

Other News

Close
  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Tom Cruise Accepts Another Mission: Impossible Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
36
  • Chris Nolan on Board for Dark Knight Sequel -- and Superman Reboot? Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
258
  • Tim Robbins Joins Green Lantern Source: Hollywood Reporter
58
  • Fox Moves Forward with 24 Movie Source: HitFix
8
  • Bill Murray Talks Ghostbusters III Source: Sunday Mail [UK]
56
  • Captain America News, News, and More News Source: Collider.com
20
  • Taylor Lautner Is Stretch Armstrong Source: MTV
78
  • Weekly Ketchup: Sci-Fi at the Oscars, Raimi eyes The Shadow
288
  • Percy Jackson Star (Briefly) Rumored for Spider-Man Reboot Source: Hollywood Reporter
35
  • Five Facts About Alice in Wonderland
140
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: Jeff Bridges' Best Movies
114
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: Avatar Finally Toppled by Dear John
104
  • Weekly Ketchup: Sci-Fi at the Oscars, Raimi eyes The Shadow
96
  • Five Favorite Films With Precious' Gabby Sidibe
35
  • Friday Harvest: The Last Airbender, The A-Team, and more!
27
  • Critics Consensus: From Paris With Love Is Not Bon
22
  • Total Recall: Anthony Hopkins' Best Movies
19
  • Five Favourite Films with Anika Noni Rose
17
  • Awards Tour: Pixar and Disney Rule The Annies
15
  • RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: A Serious Man, Couples Retreat, and More
10
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Oscar Nominee Gabby Sidibe Talks Precious
20
  • One Man's Quest To Find The Worst Movie Ever
7
  • Five Favorite Films With Peter Jackson
77
  • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
22
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
3
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
13
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
24
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
16
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep at Rotten Tomatoes
  • The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Celebrity Yearbook Photos
Celebrity Yearbook Photos External Link

Check out PopEater's collection of childhood photos of celebs, from Tom Cruise to Kim Kardashian.

Who Will Win the Oscars?
Who Will Win the Oscars? External Link

TIME's Richard Corliss pores over the Oscar noms for the major awards and offers his take on who will win.

Oscar Fever = Terminal Illness?
Oscar Fever = Terminal Illness? External Link

For a different take, the AV Club delves into why awards season is terrible.

Who's the Razziest?
Who's the Razziest? External Link

Moviefone has put together a list of the actors with the most Razzie noms ever.

Mass Effect Movie?
Mass Effect Movie? External Link

Hollywood.com makes a case for a big screen adaptation of popular game Mass Effect.

Promos
Get the Flixster App Now!
Get the Flixster App Now! External Link

Download it from iTunes and get Tomatometer scores straight to your iPhone!

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo
About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Press | Careers
IGN | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | Direct2Drive | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Game Sites | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | GIGA.DE | What They Play | Battlefield Heroes
By continuing past this page, and by your continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2010, IGN Entertainment, Inc. | Support | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! RSS Feeds
IGN’s enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA.
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.