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Movies / On DVD / The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

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The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)

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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

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Release:

Mar 25, 2008

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Reviews for The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

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1 - 20 (sorted by rotten rating)
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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

an intriguing if incomplete experience

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
12/24/07
Bill Gibron
Bill Gibron
Filmcritic.com

It's a mess of a movie, too frightening for the wee ones and a sleeping pill for adults. It's childlike wonder blared at top volume and there's no need for such disorder to steal free time from your holiday season.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
12/24/07
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
eFilmCritic.com

The Water Horse features an awkward combination of real-life drama and cutesy physical humor that never blends.

Full Review Source: The Deadbolt | comment Comment
12/26/07
Brian Tallerico
Brian Tallerico
The Deadbolt

...a bit too calculated and reliant on special effects.

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
12/27/07
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Kids could go with the dino-pet theme pretty easily, and adults won't hate it, but the few E.T. moments do not excuse the predictability and choppiness found throughout the entire picture.

Full Review Source: Beaumont Journal | comment Comment
12/20/07
Danny Minton
Danny Minton
Beaumont Journal

By the end of the The Water Horse...Russell's film has pretty much morphed into Free Willy IV: Lassie Go Home.

Full Review Source: rec.arts.movies.reviews | comment 1 Comment
12/21/07
David N. Butterworth
David N. Butterworth
rec.arts.movies.reviews

It's a movie for kids, and I suppose they will like it well enough, its pedestrian story notwithstanding.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment 1 Comment
12/20/07
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

Nessie lays an egg literally and figuratively in this inoffensive, visually attractive but highly derivative family movie about a boy and his beastie.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment 3 Comments
12/23/07
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

A tepid, CGI-enhanced family movie that should delight 6-year-olds with a lap full of popcorn.

Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
12/26/07
Geoff Pevere
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Despite the occasionally charming or amusing moment, an air of familiarity hangs over the proceedings.

Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Movie Page | comment 4 Comments
12/13/07
James O'Ehley
James O'Ehley
Sci-Fi Movie Page

It all moves with predictable deliberation, with a revelation at the end that will be a surprise only to those who have been asleep through the movie.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
12/26/07
Jim Slotek
Jim Slotek
Jam! Movies

The star of this Scottish fable, about the mythical Loch Ness monster, looks like a raw chicken breast with teeth when he hatches.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment 7 Comments
12/12/07
Karen Valby
Karen Valby
Entertainment Weekly

Not too hard to figure how it all ends up.

Full Review Source: Hollywood.com | comment Comment
12/26/07
Kit Bowen
Kit Bowen
Hollywood.com

The average 12-year-old will find it slow and predictable.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment 2 Comments
12/26/07
Kyle Smith
Kyle Smith
New York Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Spends too much time on dull shenanigans by military men and sound effects of the screech-knock-bang variety.

Full Review Source: Metromix.com | comment Comment
12/24/07
Matt Pais
Matt Pais
Metromix.com

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

[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

[It] isn't the child-friendly romp you might think.

Full Review Source: Salt Lake Tribune | comment 1 Comment
12/24/07
Sean Means
Sean Means
Salt Lake Tribune

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
 
 
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