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

The special effects of this movie are worth 5 stars. The water horse looks so real and cute that I want to touch it. The problem is there is no touching moment compared to other kids' films. "The two brothers" is more heart-wrenching and as beautiful as this one. I don't know why. Is it because of the directing or acting? The plot is typical of any family movie.

It's worth renting.

I didn't feel that Crusoe (the waterhorse) was the main character of this movie. He felt very incidental through a lot of it. Like he was there just to play a bit part so the real main characters could have epiphanies. Which is sad, because he and Churchill (the dog) had more personality than most of the human cast!

I will say that this movie was far sadder and more depressing than I would have imagined. Those looking for feel-good Disney fluff should turn away now. There's not a whole lot of happy in this movie. It has a very dark, depressing feel to it despite some of the more lighthearted moments (mostly starring Crusoe and Churchill). The ending was oh so predictable, leaving me with a 'why did I bother' sort of feeling. In fact, the movie as a whole left me flat. The only highlight is that Crusoe really was adorable as a young creature (not so much when he grew up).

This is a fabulous venture into fantasy. The Water Horse is a great example of the depths of love a child has for any creature, even one that is most unusual. It is good viewing for the whole family.

This delightful tale of a lonely boy who rears and befriends a mythical beast hits many of the right buttons as far as family-friendly fare goes. Set in the Scottish Highlands, predominantly in the Second World War (a drama-heightening but not overwhelming backdrop), The Water Horse is an unusual but affecting film about friendship - funny, poignant and uplifting. There are a few inauthentic Scottish accents, but there's so much to commend it: beautiful scenery, a satisfying framework, fantastic effects, confident storytelling and an unpatronising tone that doesn't tie up all the loose ends in the way that, say, a Disney film would. Terrific.

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...