New movies for kids are in short supply this holiday season (witness the unexpected success of “Alvin and the Chipmunks”), so “The Water Horse” might just find its niche.
This small-scaled film, set in Scotland, comes on like an indie movie, although it fulfills most of the expectations (including special effects) of a much bigger-budgeted picture.
The story is based on a book by Dick King-Smith, the man who wrote the book that inspired the beloved piggie movie, “Babe.” There’s a creature in this one, too.
It’s about a little laddie named Angus (Alex Etel) who finds a large egg on the beach one day. Well, you turn up an egg on the shores of Loch Ness, you’d best be careful about what’s inside.
It turns out to be a “water horse,” although when it grows to full size, it looks like the beastie most of us know as the Loch Ness Monster. Angus calls him Crusoe, and nurses him to health.
There’s a wee bit of intrigue in the subplot: World War II is on, and a mysterious stranger (Ben Chaplin) is regarded with suspicion by local soldiers. The man has come to work for Angus’ mother (Emily Watson), whose husband has gone off to war.
Nobody involved in the film seems to take this subplot seriously, so we don’t need to, either. This is a film about a boy and his dinosaur, or water horse, or whatever it is.
As the boy, Alex Etel is as likable and lively as he was in “Millions.” His monster comes courtesy of the special-effects people who did the digital stuff on the “Lord of the Rings” movies, and Crusoe looks about as real as any big computer creature has.
The tale is narrated by pubgoer Brian Cox, and if some of the Scotland locations look unfamiliar, it might be because most of the movie was shot in New Zealand.
With its bulldog chases and toilet-dwelling creature (that’s before Crusoe grows to full size), “The Water Horse” should keep kids entertained. Crusoe has a few alarming moments, but in general he receives the cute treatment.
Adults might have a harder time with the illogical actions of the grown-ups in this film, including British soldiers who would easily have lost the war to Hitler if they’d ever been let out of Scotland. No wonder the Loch Ness Monster wants to get away from everybody.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
