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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:26

Fresh:20

Rotten:6

Average Rating:6.8/10

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 date)
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[A] disappointing mixed bag.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment 1 Comment
01/07/08
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
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A rich, mostly tender fairy tale.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
12/26/07
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post
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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
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The film is a triumph of empathy.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
12/26/07
Lisa Kennedy
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
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It's a little corny and somewhat overlong, but a sweet sensibility and stirring adventure scenes make The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep a welcome gift for anyone looking to keep kids entertained over the holidays.

Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
12/26/07
Elizabeth Weitzman
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News
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The film is what family entertainment ought to be, but so rarely is: a ripping good adventure, a parable about childhood and maturity, and a romp.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
12/26/07
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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The Water Horse moves along at a dutiful clip, engaging us without transporting us.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
12/26/07
Ty Burr
Ty Burr
Boston Globe
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Many lonely children yearn for a pet to call their own. In The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep based on a novel by Dick King-Smith, a boy finds not only that, but a best friend as well.

comment Comment
12/26/07
Laura Kern
Laura Kern
New York Times
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Parents, forget about those warbling mischievous chipmunks. If you want to take the kids on a delightful animal adventure that you will enjoy as much as they do, go see The Water Horse.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
12/26/07
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today
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What it lacks in originality, it makes up for in execution.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
12/26/07
Kevin Crust
Kevin Crust
Los Angeles Times
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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
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...the film looks grand. A little too grand for the sappy proceedings.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
12/26/07
Steven Rea
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
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Adapted with charming dispatch from the Dick King-Smith story.

Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
12/25/07
Rick Groen
Rick Groen
Globe and Mail
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You can't deny the solid performances, the meticulous period detail and, most importantly, the way it refuses to talk down to young audiences.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
12/25/07
John Monaghan
John Monaghan
Detroit Free Press
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In an era when pop-culture onslaughts are more fashionable, family movies of this quality are hard to find.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment 4 Comments
12/25/07
Christy Lemire
Christy Lemire
Associated Press
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A sweet, familiar story, beautifully filmed and lovingly told.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
12/25/07
Jessica Reaves
Jessica Reaves
Chicago Tribune
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Director Jay Russell grounds the fantasy in serious drama, with enough slapstick to keep it from getting too scary for tots.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/25/07
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader
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Like most British family films, Water Horse doesn't dumb down its young characters or insult the intelligence of the audience. It has a lot of sly humor.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
12/25/07
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
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No surprises, really, just a nice-looking movie with good digital effects and a cute kid.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
12/25/07
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic
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The story is clever and heartwarming enough for the film to work on some level for adults and children (although it skews younger). Plus, the CGI work is competently done.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
12/25/07
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
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