I took my 4 year old daughter, and she absolutley was glued to her seat for once. The water horse is too scary for the younger children like mine. The water horse was cute as a baby, but torns into a huge monster later on... The scenery was excellent, but very military based movie. Great for older kids, but not a sweet feeling movie if that's what your looking for.

Saw this with my six-year-old on Christmas Day. Very heart-warming and well thought out story. Will absolutely buy for my son when it comes out on DVD.

I took my two kids(1 boy and 1 girl) and my mother to see this movie. It was a change from any other movie that we have seen. I loved the setting and the characters were great. The water horse was adorable-my daughter wanted one when we got home. There was a little gun firing but it was not bad. You know that the good guy is going to win. My son did get a little concerned because they were shooting at him, but it kept you on the edge of your seat. All and All I loved the movie. It is a very clean movie to take your family to. I think children under 7 may loose the story line, but the water horse was worth seeing when he was a baby and the little games that he plays with the kids in the movie. You laugh and cry in this movie. Its a great one.

I have to say that that was one of the most boring movies I've seen in a while. I got through forty minutes without falling asleep and then left to read my book. There are about ten swear words (that includes the Lord's name taken in vain) and a few "startling" moments. No sex. A few places where we see people either smoking or drinking wine. No drunkeness, though. I recommend for younger kids, although my parents enjoyed it, so apparently some adults get meaning out of it. Teens will probably find it boring, as it is devoid of any action whatsoever.

As other reviewers have said, there are very scary and/or suspensful bits in this movie. 7yo son closed eyes and covered ears at several points. This movie would be great for the vast majority of 10 year olds and SOME 7 to 9 year olds but the 6-and-unders need to stay home unless you want to risk leaving the theatre in tears. Personally, I enjoyed it - good acting, good animation, beautiful scenery.

My six-year-old boy loved it the first - and second - times he saw it. It's a bit of a tear-jerker for parents, as a young boy comes to terms with the loss of both his father and the need to respect the wildness of his friend the Water Horse. But for kids, it's a wonderful fantasy about conquering fear (young Angus is terrified of the water until the Water Horse takes him for an amazing ride), loyalty (Angus is willing to give his life for his friend), and friendship (Angus builds relationships with his sister and with the new caretaker, who share the secret of the Water Horse). All in all, plenty to enjoy for adults and kids who are mature enough to filter out the complexities of the war-time setting to focus on the simple messages, engaging special effects, and action sequences.

Went to see today. Not exactly what I was expecting, but it was good. The whole family said they really enjoyed it. However my 4yo was little bored about 1/2 way thru and the WW2 info was a little confusing for my 8yo, so we had a little history lesson after the movie. Beware if your kids don't like loud noises, they scared my kids a little. But this is a nice family movie that you don't have to worry about language or improper behavior.

PR/Adv agency was crazy to compare it to ET. This was not a feel-good, fun movie. There were young kids crying, scared, etc. Dark and scarey. The "monster" was not cute once he grew up. My daughter (7) said, "too violent." Hated the war/gun scenes. Didn't like the darkness and lightning. And she never gets scared at movies.