Synopsis:
Parents need to know that the movie version of The Water Horse is quite different from the book, mainly by escalating the violence within the World War II era. After a test bombing of the Loch, the Water Horse becomes jaded and treacherous as a full grown animal. At one point Kerruso (The Water Horse) even lashes out at the boy who found it in the first place and attacks a man trying to save his dog. Small children may be frightened by the loud bombs and the action sequences in the end, but overall The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep is still a family-friendly movie.
As mentioned above, the movie takes place during the World War II era in Scotland, close to Loch Ness. Angus, who is deathly afraid of the water, finds an egg, which of course hatches the water horse. Not being sure of what he has, he hides it in the house and names him Kerruso. When the handyman finds Kerruso in the bathtub, we learn the legendary story of the Water Horse and how it is able to grow quickly when it eats. Eventually, Angus has to let Kerruso free to swim in the Loch. Threatened by what they think is a German Submarine, The British soldiers bomb the Loch and Kerruso must swim out into the ocean.
Parents should warn kids about the loud bombs and snapping of the water horse at people to minimize being surprised or scared. Angus is still dealing with the death of his father, and children who may have just lost a parent or loved one will relate to how hard it is for him to move on. The only really questionable material is the social drinking and smoking at a local pub.
