The Water Horse

The Water Horse - Emily Watson, Brian Cox, Ben Chaplin, Alex Etel (February 10, 2008)
A wonderful family film that isn't boring for adults. The story takes place in 1940 Scotland near Loch Ness. It's the middle of the Second World War and many villages have had their men taken away to fight in the war. A young boy finds a strange rock and takes it home. To his surprise, it hatches and a mystical creature is set loose.

What I liked about this film was that there were no all bad people. In films like these, the older sibling is usually a pain and doesn't side with the younger child at all. In this film, when the boy's sister sees the creature, she immediately knows that she has to help her brother, and in fact does. There is also a stranger who comes to work at the house. It is war-time, he could be a spy, and that fact is discussed. People were forced to allow soldiers to billet in their homes, as in this movie.

The boy and his water horse share a bond that feels real. The animation is quite good, and the creature is very beautiful in its way. It's an enjoyable film, that somehow reminded me of Whale Rider. It's not quite as good, but still very enjoyable.