The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

NEW YORK (CNS) -- "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" (Sony) is an engaging but, by the end, a surprisingly intense fantasy adventure. Set in Scotland during World War II, the film draws on Celtic legends to provide an explanation of the origins of the Loch Ness monster.

Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel) is a forlorn boy coping with the absence of his sailor father Charlie (Craig Hall) and with his own fear of, but attraction to, the water. While spending time on the shore of the local loch, where the boys of the town swim, Angus happens upon an interesting-looking rock and takes it home.

He quickly discovers the unusual object is, in fact, an egg, one which hatches a rapidly growing dinosaurlike creature. Overcoming his wariness of this unexpected visitor, Angus brings him scraps of food and names him Crusoe.

He enlists the help of his sympathetic sister Kirstie (Priyanka Xi) and of newly hired handyman and scarred war veteran Lewis Mowbray (Ben Chaplin) in his efforts to conceal Crusoe from his no-nonsense mother Anne (Emily Watson), the housekeeper on a large estate. The property has lately been requisitioned as an Army camp whose strict commanding officer, Capt. Hamilton (David Morrissey), Angus finds equally intimidating.

As Crusoe's dramatic growth spurt continues, Angus reluctantly agrees to release him into the loch. However, Captain Hamilton's men are there and on high alert, fearful of the threatened German invasion.

Angus, meanwhile, has become a pawn in the subtle rivalry between Hamilton and Mowbray for the affections of his mother. Hamilton tries to instill discipline into the boy, even as Mowbray beguiles him with Scottish lore.

Director Jay Russell's screen version of Dick King-Smith's 1990 children's book, like its title character, starts off unthreateningly. But the film grows steadily more ominous as it moves toward its turbulent climax. Though the film has a minimal amount of objectionable content, such scenes will likely frighten most young children.

There are a number of good performances, with Chaplin especially notable as the taciturn and irascible, yet fundamentally sensitive, loner Mowbray. Oliver Stapleton's lensing makes New Zealand -- where the film was shot -- a convincing stand-in for the starkly majestic Highlands. Overall, "The Water Horse" is a finely made film, but not one for the fainthearted.

The film contains fantasy violence, one crass expression and one profanity; it is acceptable for less sensitive younger viewers. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.

---

Copyright (c) 2007 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops