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The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)

Director: Jay Russell

Time Out rating

Average user rating

20 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

There’s backbone to spare in this superior family film aimed at the type of kids who like a wee splash of Scotch on their cornflakes. The classic ‘Free Willy’ animal/child union-of-souls template is neatly transposed (with added grit) to the Highlands circa World War II, where young Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel, last seen in Danny Boyle’s ‘Millions’) discovers a crystalline egg on a local beach.

What hatches is a cutesy dragon-like creature he names Crusoe that rapidly expands to the size of a lorry and has to be re-housed in the local loch. When a platoon of soldiers stationed in Angus’s home mistake Crusoe for an enemy sub, this pleasingly non-ironic yarn expands into an angry window on the brutal, inflexible nature of the military. But what pushes the film above its peers is the way that director Jay Russell – like Spielberg – only resorts to syrup when he can fully justify it.

Author: David Jenkins

Time Out London Issue 1955 Feb 6 to 13, 2008

User reviews of this film

Patsy W said...

Posted on Apr 17 2008 20:39 A really good film with a little bit of everything in it ! Go and see for yourself - you won't be dissapointed.I think it fills an important gap in the market by appealing to 7 - 12 year olds and probably of more interest to boys although my 10 yr old daughter loved it.

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orin said...

Posted on Apr 04 2008 17:08 it was one of the best films i have ever sar. it made me cry a lot as well. bt if you go to the cinema you should see the watr hourse because it is realy good

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Jessica Claxton said...

Posted on Mar 26 2008 22:10 Seen the trailor on television, sounds great. Going to see it tomorrow, can't wait.

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john said...

Posted on Mar 22 2008 09:03 Exelent film! It realy has a good storyline and actors.

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Tink said...

Posted on Mar 15 2008 14:02 Excellent! all the things a kids film should be,but take a tissue -its quite moving! :)

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Ashlee Sarah said...

Posted on Mar 15 2008 12:57 wicked film u hav got to see it!!

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Becky Mc said...

Posted on Mar 11 2008 17:48 Looks great! Have seen trailer looks fabby!

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josie said...

Posted on Mar 11 2008 09:45 this film was good, kids around 8-13 would enjoy it most i would say, but its got a nice story line and good actors

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Nicole said...

Posted on Mar 08 2008 09:51 Hiya, its my birthday and im wondering if the water horse or the game plan is better! Could anyone help me out?

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rachael d n dikie said...

Posted on Mar 04 2008 12:06 hi peeps this film
is a legend
i thought tho it more 4 a lad
to watch
as i was amazed but it a rly action film
id say but id recomend
a lad to it
lots of love
hugs n kisses
love rachaeld n dikie
xxxxxxxxxxxxx

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gabi said...

Posted on Feb 29 2008 14:10 best film

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Jaycee said...

Posted on Feb 28 2008 23:17 Is this a kid's film? - probably, but I more closely identify with the story teller in the pub, in age, and I thought the film was a sheer delight. A good story and wonderful scenery.

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Maria said...

Posted on Feb 27 2008 14:31 This film is amazing, One of my favorite films of this year and last. A must see and a definate purchase to see again.

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o b laden said...

Posted on Feb 21 2008 17:50 aaaamazing film loved all of it the grafics were unbelievable and a would recommend it and watch it again

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zac goodenough said...

Posted on Feb 19 2008 16:09 It was really good and funny. My favourite part was when the dog was chasing the water horse through the house.6/6 - a must see film!

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