Common Sense Media Review
By Charles Cassady Jr.
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Predictable family fantasy not as good as book.
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The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie evokes mixed feelings, with some viewing it as a captivating family film and others finding it boring or disturbing. Highlights include beautiful scenery, an engaging story about a boy raising a mythical creature, and a few moments of violence or mature themes that might not be suitable for all audiences.
- mixed reviews
- captivating story
- beautiful scenery
- some violence
- family-friendly
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP takes off when Angus (Alex Etel), the lonely, nature-loving son of a Scottish WWII soldier missing in combat finds an egg by the water, and it hatches into a small, mischievous, dragon-like creature. When the family's mansion is commandeered by British soldiers to establish a defense against possible German submarines in the loch, Angus hides his baby beastie with help from his older sister Kirstie (Priyanka Xi) and Scottish handyman Lewis (Ben Chaplin), who identifies the creature as a "water horse" of Highland folklore -- a fabulous, fast-growing, androgynous lake- and sea-monster of which only one exists at a time. Now named Crusoe, the creature grows huge in just a few weeks and the heroes scramble to keep their new pet hidden. But glimpses of the monster create a stir in the area, and Angus and Krista need to think fast when Crusoe becomes the target of heavily armed British soldiers.
Is It Any Good?
Grade-schoolers are the best audience for this well-mounted, big-budget children's fantasy. For older viewers who are already familiar with the many clichés it trots out, it may be one trip to the loch too many. Just as the soldiers in the film do during roll call, it's possible to sound off -- one! two! -- the movie's many overly familiar elements. Lonely child hero whose father is dead? Here! Amazing, misunderstood monster friend who must be kept a secret? Here! Clueless single mom with nasty suitor? Here! Ending stolen from Free Willy? Here! It's not that The Water Horse is a bad movie -- it's just entirely predictable.
When Angus -- who's got a crippling fear of water -- goes for a stirring ride on through the loch's aquatic wonderland on his monster pal's back, the movie really takes off, but you're still left thirsty for something a wee bit more original. Even Crusoe, as beautifully computer-generated as he is, sorta looks like the creature from the boy-and-his-dragon epic Eragon.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Loch Ness Monster. Do you think it could be real? Why or why not? How might a story like this have gotten started? Can you think of other movies in which a child forms a secret attachment with an unusual pet or unearthly friend? How is this movie similar to and different from them? Families who've read the book the movie is based on can compare the two -- which do you like better, and why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 24, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : April 7, 2008
- Cast : Alex Etel , Ben Chaplin , Emily Watson
- Director : Jay Russell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Columbia Tristar
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some action/peril, mild language and brief smoking.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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