The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep: Review By Brokaw

This enchanting story begins with a young Angus (Alex Etel), a Scottish boy who finds something special near the water. He brings it back to his house and discovers it is an egg, but not any kind of egg he has ever seen before. This egg hatches a strange creature that Angus names Crusoe. Crusoe is an inquisitive little guy, but soon he isn't so little. Angus discovers that Crusoe has to be kept in water, so he hides him in a bathtub.

This all takes place during WWII, when all the men are off fighting. Angus is a sad little lad, who cannot accept the fact that his father was killed in action and keeps counting the days until his father will return to their home. Keeping to himself Angus is withdrawn and depressed, but Crusoe changes that. Crusoe gives the boy something to look forward to every day.

When the handyman Lewis Mowbray (Ben Chalpin) finds out about the creature Angus and his sister Anne are hiding, Lewis tells them about Crusoe, who is a Water Horse. However, these sea spirits are supposed to be Celtic legend. The legend goes that only one water horse can live at a time, so Crusoe is an orphan. He is the only one on the earth. These creatures are magic. And within days Crusoe goes from the size of a puppy to a big dog, then to a horse. It is then when they decide to take Crusoe to the lake where he can swim free. Letting go is not easy for Angus, but he knows what is best and vows to come visit his friend.

The next time Angus sees Crusoe he's gigantic and Crusoe takes him on a magical adventure and for the first time in a long time, Angus is not afraid of the water. Thanks to Crusoe he is a fun-loving boy once again. And thanks to Crusoe Loch Ness will never be the same again either. Yes, Crusoe is one of the legendary "monsters" of Loch Ness. But if you ever visit there just remember the water horse is not a monster, he is a descendant of Crusoe.

The Water Horse is a charming treat of mythical proportions. It's magical, mystical, mythical and fanciful, and something the entire family can enjoy.