Mee-Shee: The Water Giant

A typical gentle giant film about a large creature living in a deep Canadian lake. Adored by the locals with potential earth shattering ramifications for scientific community, Mee-Shee is a water bound ET. It has all the elements of a good film for the kids under 11, and only kids under 11 that are not use to the normal breakneck paced, borderline porn, of today's 'family' films. The main character is Mac (Magder) who searches for Mee-Shee as the locals try and convince him not to tell his scientist dad about the 'monster'. The CGI is OK, and the cinematography is good. Seasoned actors keep the film from being a real bore due to lack of action and a well worn plot. It accomplishes its goal of being a clean family film for the very young to enjoy.

Before Joel Tobeck appears in the new Water Horse movie, he is a mean GreenPeace member that is trying to delay drilling in a Canadian lake, and then trying to capture Mee-Shee for profit.

The absolute beauty of British Columbia comes forth in stunning beauty on my new TV, and I don't even have the Hi-Def hooked up yet. I really wanted something to show me what I can expect, and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

Bruce Greenwood (Double Jeopardy, I'm Not There) cancels a vacation with his son to find a drill bit. Daniel Magder plays the son, who discovers magic in the water in the form of a strange looking creature.

It is a slow moving picture notable not for action, but for beauty.

Luanne Gordon (King Kong) manages to be the impetus for Greenwood to decide to slow his life down and enjoy the beauty of BC.

If you're in the mood for a low-key, pleasant little kid-centric "lock-ness" monster movie, you'll enjoy this one. I started watching it in the background while it was on a TV movie channel and quickly got interested in it.

The basic premise is as follows: A helicopter carrying an important oil-drilling bit has crashed in a remote Canadian lake. The drilling company sends their small-submarine specialist (who brings his son) to recover the item. While there, the boy encounters an elusive local resident of the lake. In the midst of all this, a rival drilling company is trying to sabotage the recovery efforts ... and the story progresses from there.

There's nothing really special about the plot and the kid-centric aspect can be a potential turn-off for many adult viewers. However, in this case, the story is well done and the characters are well acted and interesting - so it was worth the time.

As long as you're expectations are for a low-key but well done little movie, you'll have a pleasant time.

The premise of Mac Campbell's character is based on a neglected child who has lost his mother recently. His dad (Bruce Greenwood) has unintentionally ignored his son by burying himself in work after his wife died and has decided to make it up to Mac by taking him to a theme park. The boy is devastated to find out that his dad's plans have changed as a result of an emergency trip to Canada. Mac, played by Daniel Magder plays an angry, somewhat stoic, curious, brave yet emotional young man. I believe he pulled it off beautifully. In fact he adds a touch of humor to his character in a non funny situation when speaking under his breath about Pawnee, his new found friend. My kids have seen him in "Life with Derek" as "Edwin" and he portrays a totally different type of character showing his versatility. (They've coaxed me into watching a few episodes).

Mee-She The Water Giant is great for kids but I think it could have been simplified for the benefit of the younger viewers. That being said, I recommend renting it or purchasing the film. I purchased the film and my kids have seen it many times.

Poor casting, intermittent periods where the film treads water with overlong pictures of the scenery, and a lack of anyone in the cast to empathise with, render this a dreary experience. Edited with no sense of timing and with unmemorable music laid on with a trowel, the performances are unable to engage or sustain one's attention. The biggest drawback is that there is nobody one likes - the hero is the American equivalent of a shop dummy in a Cecil Gee window, the son is blank faced except when he is petulant. Custer is inscrutable and a boring character. The villains are cardboard cutouts, and the mad woman of the hills is alarming and repellent.

Custer's daughter is the only bright spark in the film, and acts everyone else off the screen, not that that was hard to do.

The Henson Creature Shop shut up shop in London shortly after this film was made; maybe they had lost heart when they saw it.

One to miss.