Filipe Neto
The story of this film is clearly inspired by the legends surrounding the "Loch Ness Monster", a creature that supposedly inhabits Scotland's deepest and most famous lake. The script is based on the deep relationship between the creature, a "water horse", and a young boy who had few friends, fear of water and an unresolved mourning after his father died in a shipwreck, probably provoked by a German submarine (everything happens during World War II). It does not matter if you believe in the existence of this creature or not, the fact is that the film works well as a family movie, creating a moving story and managing to form a strong bond of empathy between the audience and the characters, especially the boy, his mother and the little monster, who is a perfectly lovely creature. Everything was thought to create empathy with the audience, to involve our emotional side, and this works wonderfully well. A curious point is that the great villains are the British soldiers, with a deeply harsh and somewhat imperialistic pose, which may possibly be a subliminal criticism of the relationship between the English and the Scots.Alex Etel did a good performance in the role of little Angus and Brian Cox also performed very well with the task of playing the character these days. Ben Chaplin made a very good character who made an excellent counterpoint to the villain, the British official played by David Morrissey. Emily Watson also pleased me, playing a careful, stiff but loving mother who has recently widowed and still misses her husband. However, it's the monster that enchants and deserves greatest attention. Of course, it's great quality CGI. The cinematography is excellent and the Scottish landscapes enchanted me, with large green hills and picturesque villages. The soundtrack is very good and plays its part wonderfully, but is quickly forgotten after the movie ends.Overall this is a great movie for an afternoon with the whole family and it has everything for everyone, but it will be especially appealing to the younger ones of course. I recommend!
gamerlordluna
water horse. this movie has terrible CGI and a trash plot. With the idea of the loch ness monster, they could have done much more. Example: have an boy with no friends and he's an orphan then he meets the water horse and they bond and become best friends. But they went with a terrible plot that leaves me wanting to read Percy Jackson over again to rinse my brain. The WWII theme is much to violent for a adult/kid movie. With soldiers blowing stuff up all the time and not many scenes of water horse-kid bonding. And then the water horse just leaves. Which leaves US with a ban movie with: Bad CGI, bad plot, to violent scenes, not enough bonding, and not the best ending. So that is why i hate this movie.
classicsoncall
There's something about legends of mythical creatures that make them endure - The Abominable Snowman, Bigfoot, and yes, the Loch Ness Monster. I didn't know "The Water Horse" was a whimsical telling of the origins of the famous monster, but it was readily apparent once the story got under way. It was rather innovative the way the writers came up with the background story with the egg and all, and I always marvel at the way film makers can make a computer creation look real on screen. The baby water horse in the bath tub looked absolutely real, becoming only slightly less so as it grew into the huge monster of legend. There's an element of whimsy at work in the picture to go with the magic, and as a family viewing experience this one entertains well enough. I would only caution those with young kids that the adult water horse can be a fearsome creature, so prepare the youngsters accordingly. I'd put this film in my list of 'Movies About Horses', but that would obviously be a bit of a stretch.
gilligan1965
I'm so surprised at the low rating that this wonderful movie has received on here.I just saw this and really enjoyed it. The story is great in the way that they wove a Scottish legend into it. The effects are great, too.This is the kind of movie that can be enjoyed by all ages. It's exciting and interesting enough for adults; and, it's not very scary but very 'cute,' so it's perfect for children.There is a very good cast as well, with solid characters and memorable performances...especially the child actor, Alex Etel, who plays Angus MacMorrow. The water horse, itself, is very life-like as well.I highly recommend this movie to all! :)
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