RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Check out the new RT Community
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / Upcoming / The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
73 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:81

Fresh:59

Rotten:22

Average Rating:6.5/10

Consensus: The Water Horse is a fine family film. It takes a classic tale and infuses it with extra imagination, sly humor, heart, and inventive special effects.

Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

Genre: Childrens

US Box Office: $40,412,817

Synopsis: Based on the novel by BABE author Dick King-Smith, THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP is set in Scotland during World War II, and focuses on Angus (Alex Etel), a young boy who discovers an unusual... Based on the novel by BABE author Dick King-Smith, THE WATER HORSE: LEGEND OF THE DEEP is set in Scotland during World War II, and focuses on Angus (Alex Etel), a young boy who discovers an unusual egg at Loch Ness. When the egg hatches to reveal a dinosaur-like creature, Angus finds that he has a unique pet--a mythical "water horse," which he names Crusoe. Complicating matters are Crusoe's fast growth rate and soldiers stationed near the lake, factors that make it very tricky to keep the friendly beastie a secret. A thoroughly likable family film directed by Jay Russell (TUCK EVERLASTING), THE WATER HORSE provides an intriguing spin on the classic boy-and-his-dog tale. While Etel, who won over audiences in MILLIONS, ably carries the movie, he is supported by a topnotch ensemble that includes Emily Watson as his mother, newcomer Priyanka Xi as his sister, and Ben Chaplin as a good-natured handyman. Primarily sharing the screen with Etel, however, is the Loch Ness Monster-in-the-making, which is wonderfully rendered by Weta, the company behind the digital effects for THE LORD OF THE RINGS films. Both cute and--in his larger state--intimidating, Crusoe strikes up a surprisingly believable relationship with Angus, providing the heart of this beautifully photographed story. [More]

Starring: Emily Watson, Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, David Morrissey

Starring: Emily Watson, Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, David Morrissey, Brian Cox

Director: Jay Russell

Director: Jay Russell
Screenwriter: Robert Nelson Jacobs
Producer: Robert Bernstein, Douglas Rae, Barrie M. Osbourne, Charlie Lyons
Composer: James Newton Howard
Studio: Columbia Pictures

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Trailer
    >
    Ben Chaplin
    >
    Alex Etel
    >
1 - 3 of 3

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

A heart-warming film about a boy and a magic sea creature, The Water Horse captures the wonder of a timeless tale by combining good storytelling with a strong sense of time and place

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/08/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

... we are able to sit back and enjoy the fun without ever losing sight of the sadness underneath.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
07/04/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
ESplatter

The story nicely interweaves the legend of the Loch Ness monster with a tale of childhood angst, wartime drama and adventure.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
04/17/08
Brian Webster
Brian Webster
Apollo Guide

Pleasingly evokes the days when Roddy McDowall frolicked with Flicka and Lassie, [but] it must be said that a CGI pet is not quite so easy to love as a flesh-and-blood performer, animal or human.

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
04/06/08
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

Mal conseguindo ocultar o fato de ter sido claramente inspirado em "E.T.", é um filme terrivelmente irregular que traz personagens esquemáticos e um monstrinho tão "simpáticos" que jamais temos certeza se este irá devorar seu amigo humano ou não.

comment 2 Comments
02/14/08
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

'Tis a great beastie, and not a wee pig, this time around.

Full Review Source: Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) | comment Comment
02/09/08
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

The only reasons to stay awake are the nature porn shots of the Highlands impossibly green hills and gray skies, and a nimble bit performance by a bulldog named Churchill

Full Review Source: I.E. Weekly | comment Comment
01/29/08
Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson
I.E. Weekly

It doesn't condescend to kids; its themes and narrative structure are fairly sophisticated.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
01/14/08
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Although it's a fantasy, 'The Water Horse' makes us believe we're actually seeing 1940s Scotland on the big screen.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
01/12/08
Betty Jo Tucker
Betty Jo Tucker
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

An intelligent and family-friendly variation on the boy and his dog story in which the 'dog' is a cuddly little creature that turns into the Loch Ness monster.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
01/10/08
M. K. Terrell
M. K. Terrell
Christian Science Monitor

The Water Horse's fluctuation between wholesome kiddie flick, complete with silly humor, and dark fantasy/coming-of-age drama ultimately proves too unwieldy for the filmmakers to handle, causing the film to sink under the weight of all its well-meaning bu

Full Review Source: IGN Movies | comment Comment
01/08/08
Stax
Stax
IGN Movies

[A] disappointing mixed bag.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment 1 Comment
01/07/08
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...the pacing flags a bit in the protracted climax, but it's fun overall.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
01/04/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

The film does affirm the basic message of the best kind of fairy tale: as with water, so with other things: there is more to this world than what we see on the surface.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
01/04/08
Peter T. Chattaway
Peter T. Chattaway
Christianity Today

One of the strengths of The Water Horse is that it doesn’t compromise and keeps things real even with the fantastical elements.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
01/03/08
Jonathan W. Hickman
Jonathan W. Hickman
Entertainment Insiders

Predictable family fantasy not as good as book.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
01/02/08
Charles Cassady
Charles Cassady
Common Sense Media

If you're in search of family fare that won't have the adults in the audience checking their watches, this is it.

Full Review Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) | comment Comment
01/02/08
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Despite the drama, there is nothing in The Water Horse that will frighten young children. The cast is good, and the special effects are even better.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
12/31/07
Maria Garcia
Maria Garcia
Film Journal International

You can't go wrong with a family movie about a boy and his pet ... even if that pet goes from the size of a puppy to a full-blown sea monster in a matter of days.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
12/29/07
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

Russell scores big by casting young Alex Etel as Angus. Etel made us believe in saints in the film Millions. Now he makes us believes that a computer generated water horse is a living and breathing creature.

Full Review Source: KPBS.org | comment Comment
12/28/07
Beth Accomando
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
all

Latest News for The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

February 29, 2008: UPDATED: UK Box Office Breakdown: Odeon Snubs Rambo
Jumper holds on to the number one spot at the UK box office, but only because a dispute between Sony and Odeon kept the film of the cinema chain's 100+ screens. More...

February 22, 2008: UK Box Office Breakdown: Jumper Leaps into First
Jumper takes the top spot in this week's UK box office, but Juno holds strong at number three and there are strong performances for There Will Be Blood and Cloverfield. More...

February 01, 2008: Claire Danes Joins Zac Efron in Linklater's Me and Orson Welles
He's been known to make the most of modern technology in his films, but for his next project, Richard Linklater is taking his inspiration from a good old-fashioned book. More...

January 10, 2008: Box Office Guru Preview: Captain Jack and Captain Morgan Set Sail
For the first time in three weeks, studios will pack a Friday with plenty of new releases as four films open or expand nationwide giving the box office chart a major shakeup.... More...

See All

More Movies

Coming Soon in Australia
Tomatometer Percentage Movie Date

85% 85% Cloudy With a Chance o… 26/11
48% 48% Antichrist 26/11
56% 56% The Invention of Lying 26/11
75% 75% Cold Souls 26/11

What’s Hot On RT

Coen Brothers

Coen Brothers

We count down their 10 best-reviewed films

Avatar

Avatar

Watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video

RT's Twilight corner

RT's Twilight corner

Everything you need on New Moon is here

Doomed Romance

Doomed Romance

Our top 10 star-crossed movie lovers

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
68
  • Idris Elba Joins Thor Source: Hollywood Reporter
112
  • Jackass 3D Coming in 2010? Source: Collider.com
32
  • 6 Reasons 'Twilight' Is Doomed Source: The Wrap
62
  • Forbes Names Hollywood's Most Overpaid Actors Source: Forbes
20
  • Chris Weitz Says He's (Almost) Done with Directing Source: Film School Rejects
26
  • Spider-Man 4 Casting Rumors Multiply Like Rabbits Source: Deadline Hollywood Daily
51
  • McTeigue Says Superman Is "In a Weird Place" Source: MTV
204
  • Rachel McAdams Debunks Spider-Man 4 Rumor Source: Entertainment Weekly
117
  • Avatar: Gambling on Film's Future Source: Los Angeles Times
128
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes
127
  • Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle?
96
  • Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers
67
  • Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog
50
  • Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors
34
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records
32
  • Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more!
28
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
8
  • RT on DVD: Harry Potter returns, Bella heads to Adventureland
4
  • Win the Entire 007 Collection on DVD
3
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
8
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
19
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
6
  • RT on DVD: Wassup, Bruno
3
  • Scott Hicks Talks The Boys Are Back
0
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Richard Kelly chats about The Box
2
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
16
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
8
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep at Rotten Tomatoes
  • The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi?
Why Don't Australians Make Sci-fi? External Link

The New Matilda's Lynden Barber looks at the recent success of low-budget sci-fi -- and asks the question.

New Moon Portraits
New Moon Portraits External Link

TIME offers us a closer look at the characters from the latest Twilight film.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes on Twitter External Link

Get all the latest movie updates, reviews, interviews and features here.

Competitions
Win Star Wars prizes
Win Star Wars prizes External Link

Enough Prequel, Original Trilogy and Family Guy DVDs to fill a space cruiser

Win the entire 007 collection
Win the entire 007 collection External Link

Everything from Dr. No to Quantum of Solace could be yours.

Win Fight Club Special Editions and more
Win Fight Club Special Editions and more External Link

We're giving away the 10th Anniversary Blu-ray, plus Braveheart and the Rocky collection

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.