ViewGuide

Created Apr 19, 2008 01:12AM PST • Edited Apr 19, 2008 01:12AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Really Great 4.5

   A young Scottish boy, finds an egg-like item by the sea, which eventually hatches a legendary creature, Loch Ness.

4. Acting

   Great 4.0

   The creature effects work seamlessly throughout the engaging plot and the strong acting fills the experience with genuine emotions. Angus MacMorrow, well played by Alex Etel (“Millions”), misses his father, gone at war (World War II), while his mother Anne, played by Emily Watson, cares for him. The audience feels for both of the characters.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Great 4.0

8. Male Costars Great 4.0

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    This heartfelt film becomes a bit predictable, a little long (at 112 minutes) plus many of the scenes don’t have strong lighting, so it can be hard to tell what’s going on at times. The upbeat, whimsical musical score from James Newton Howard (“Space Jam”, “Batman Begins”) offsets the scares a bit while heightening the drama. The film benefits from experienced filmmakers who have experience in adult dramas and children films.

11. Direction Really Great 4.5

12. Play Really Great 4.5

13. Music Really Great 4.5

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Tame 1.5

    Darkly lit scenes make the creature more scary at times and might surprise some young ones. Impending German attacks, the new caretaker, played by Ben Chaplin, and the soldiers provide a bit of tension.

17. Sex Innocent 1.5

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Polite 1.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.8

    Brian Cox (“Bourne Supremacy”, “X2“) provides the narration as an older Angus telling this story to a young couple – the reality all depends if you believe or not.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.8

23. Biological Glib 1.8

24. Physical Glib 1.8