World Famous Comics: The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep [Blu-ray]
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep [Blu-ray]
Starring: David Morrissey, Marshall Napier, Joel Tobeck, Brian Cox, Ben Chaplin Directed By: Jay Russell Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: Blu-ray Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen Label: Sony Pictures Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: April 08, 2008 Running Time: 112 minutes Theatrical Release Date: December 25, 2007
Product Description: When a lonely young boy named Angus discovers a large mysterious egg along the shores of Loch Ness no one is prepared for what lies within. He soon discovers that the strange mischievous hatchling inside is none other than The Water Horse the loch's most mysterious and fabled creature! But with the Water Horse growing ten times its size every day Angus finds it increasingly difficult to keep his new friend a secret.System Requirements:Running Time: 112 minutesFormat: BLU-RAY DISC Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: PG UPC: 043396238589 Manufacturer No: 23858
Amazon.com: Based on a novel by Dick King-Smith, author of The Sheep Pig (from which Babe was adapted), the touching and often spectacular The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep ingeniously presumes to explain the truth behind "Nessie," i.e., the Loch Ness Monster. The story, told in present day to a couple of American tourists by a kindly gentleman (Brian Cox) in a pub, begins with a lonely boy, Angus (Alex Etel), pining for his father, who is serving in the Royal Navy during World War II. Angus, along with his sister (Priyanka Xi) and mother (Emily Watson), live on an estate that has been billeted by soldiers in the Scottish Highlands, near Loch Ness. The troop’s commander (David Morissey) has an eye for mom, suspicions about a mysterious handyman, Lewis (Ben Chaplin), who is also a war hero, and an absurd contention that the Highlands are the real frontline in the war against Germany.
Into this intriguing drama comes a completely different element, a fantastical creature of Celtic mythology that befriends Angus and is, in fact, the sea-beast who will eventually be known as the Loch Ness Monster. Trying to hide the dinosaur-like fellow, nicknamed Crusoe, Angus enlists Lewis to transfer it to the lake, where boy and serpent have extraordinary adventures together until human stupidity threatens Crusoe’s existence. A true family film, there is a lot for adults to like about the grownup story in The Water Horse. Meanwhile, the wistful relationship between Angus and Crusoe--each of whom helps the other move past obstacles toward their individual destinies--will leave children feeling both happy and melancholy in the best possible sense. Directed by Jay Russell (My Dog Skip), The Water Horse is the best of a mini-genre of films about or inspired by old Nessie. --Tom Keogh
Pleasant enough WATER HORSE is a pleasant enough, beautifully filmed family story, although the music and scenery can be a bit frightening for younger children. The story is fairly formulaic for adults, but our children really enjoyed it--especially the interaction between the dog and the sea horse.
It is nice that it is not full of sexual innuendo, crass "humor" related to bodily functions, and injuries to the "personal" areas of the anatomy. Most "family" films are anything but family friendly, so WATER HORSE is a nice exception.
From a conservative Christian standpoint, be warned that the children hide the sea horse and deceive their mother--without negative consequences. A parent will want to direct the thinking of younger children in this area, but the kids otherwise exhibit respect for adults and as the protagonists, present a generally wholesome appearance and attitude.
Mispresention of a DVD I ordered the special 2 disc edition and they sent me the one disc regular version and I emailed numerous times and this seller ignored my emails. Very unhappy.
The Water Horse DVD Wonderful family entertainment. Kept the kids (and adults) riveted to the screen! Especially enjoyed the Extra Features on second disc.
Cute, Life-like special effects + Lack of touching moment = Worth renting. 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.
Watery and weak 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).