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The Water Horse:
Legend of the Deep
Starring: Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, Emily
Watson, David Morrissey
Directed by: Jay Russell
Produced
by:
Douglas Rae, Robert Bernstein, Barrie M. Osborne, Charlie Lyons
Written
by: Robert Nelson Jacobs
Distributor: Sony Pictures Releasing |
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Who would’ve guessed, in months prior, that the very CGI
creature that would arrive on the 2007 Holiday Film Scene and
save families from the dreadful antics of a certain trio of
singing chipmunks would be none other than the Loch Ness
Monster? Sure, The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep’s
version of the mythical figure is a cute high-pitched-yelper
named Crusoe, but the discovery is unexpected nonetheless. In
Crusoe and pal Angus MacMurrow (Alex Etel), a young Scottish lad
who finds the monster’s egg washed ashore and hatches it in
secret, director Jay Russell and writer Robert Nelson Jacobs
find a magical tale sure to appeal to every demographic. The
movie is told in a very old-fashioned manner, but makes
wonderful use of technology, turning Crusoe into one of the most
compassionate works of animation you’ll ever witness. In large
part, this is because the story that surrounds him is so
well-defined, beautifully set amidst the historical-context of
World War II. (Troops are stationed at Angus’ home, at the
allowance of his Royal Navy sailor of a father who is meanwhile
busy hoarding of U-Boats himself, making it even harder for the
boy to conceal his otherworldly new friend.) But a lot of The
Water Horse’s success is realized solely in the simple
pleasures endowed upon the material by its convictive cast,
which is filled with actors who believe in its magic. Leading
the pact, Alex Etel shines even more than he did in Danny
Boyle’s Millions, crafting a sympathetic gentleness to
Angus that is heartwarming. Supporting him are Ben Chaplin,
Brian Cox, Emily Watson, and (an especially devious) David
Morrissey, all turning in fine work of their own. The Water
Horse may not be able to match the aforementioned Alvin
at the Chipmunks in terms of box office take, but it sure
deserves to. This is an elegant, exhilarating, and lovable tale
for all ages.
-Danny Baldwin, Bucket Reviews
Review Published on: 1.3.2008
Screened on: 12.27.2007 at the
Edwards San Marcos 18 in San Marcos, CA.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep is
rated PG and runs 111 minutes.
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