Customer Reviews

Loch Ness

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I thought this was a great family movie. While it won't hold the attention of the younger kids, older children will enjoy it. The acting is wonderful, especially the "young lass", what a great part for her. Too bad about the cynical review earlier, but that's what I expect from profession movie critics, they are out to pick apart the film itself, where I am looking for entertainment factor for myself and for my family. As for MY family, we thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

Although not Oscar material with the script, this film makes up for it with the acting by a little girl, her lonely mother, and their colorful and ambient patrons of their little hotel and pub in Scotland. The hotel is closed for the season, but Danson makes the mother an offer she can't refuse...they could really use the Yank's money. Danson plays a scientist that had lost his credibility but who is now 'volunteered' by his University and sent to Scotland to find proof that Nessie does exist. Of course Danson's character wants to disprove it-with an attitude problem. Even though he doesn't believe in Nessie, there are those locals that would scuttle his hi-tech research anyway. The little girl, liking Danson's character, trusting him, and seeing that he'd be good for her mother...she's a bit psychic..and trusting him, takes him to enjoy her secret place. An underground cavern and its inhabitants shocks him beyond his wildest imagination. Now Danson's character must choose between fame and glory, or leaving the Loch the way it was always meant to be...peaceful. The wrong choice and he loses the ones that he loves, and those who love him. It's a colorful piece with wonderful acting and equally wonderful music. It is a great family movie where the ending leaves you with a warm heart and a smile. For the price of one movie ticket, you can entertain the whole family...and maybe some friends.

This movie is great! The speacial effects are great! The acting is great! The story is great! Ted Danson is great! That is all I have to say. I want to talk much more but I'd spoil it. See this movie.

This is what I call a guilty pleasure film. It's not the best thing ever made, nor will it ever be noted as a "must see" film.
What appeals to me is the combination of many things found in the film. The locations (even though I am told it was not filmed at Loch Ness) are beautiful to look at. The music is nice and mellow and the story is put together in a fun fashion. All in all it is a great film to relax with.

Critics panned the film and many folks don't see what I see in it, but films are a very individual thing. It is a good family film and worth taking a look at.

I first saw the movie "Loch Ness" when it was on TV and I have to say that it looks so much better on DVD especially without the commercial interruptions in between scenes and the picture is much clearer than when I first saw it on TV in 1996. The film stars Ted Danson as a down on his luck cryptozoologist who despite several failed attempts to find other mysterious legends in the world and in the mist of a bad marriage with a lawsuit thrown in, he is finally given the one in a million chance to redeem himself professionally by going to Loch Ness at the request of his employer to prove that the legendary monster that haunts the Loch is a ridiculous hoax. After arriving there he discovers that there's more to his plum assignment that first meets the eye, literally. Throughout his quest to find the mysterious monster that the world has come to know as "Nessie" Danson's character John Dempsey comes across wacky and sometimes completely irate locals who appose his study of the lake and his bad bedside manner. However, along the way there is no shortage of adventure for Dr. Dempsey in the form of unexpected clashes with other boats on the loch and the rather violent sinking of his research vessel by a territorial Nessie who miraculously saves him from a near drowning in one harrowing scene in the movie. But there are a few friendly and charming characters in the film to help keep Dempsey from going off the deep end in his pursuit for answers. One of the most memorable was the little girl Isabell and her mother played by Joey Richardson who help open John's eyes and his heart in very unique ways to the mysteries of their home and the haunting lake that serves as the family's backyard. In 1998 my dad and I took a trip to Scotland to tour Loch Ness and what I found interesting when I went there was that only fifteen minutes of the film was actually shot on location at Loch Ness. The rest of the film was shot at another loch nearby called Loch Torridan. The filmmakers thought that Loch Torridan looked more like Loch Ness than Loch Ness does itself. I'm not going to comment on their decision to do so, even though after seeing the real Loch Ness and comparing the scenery in the film, it's easy to see that they were shooting in different locations for the film but that's beside the point. In conclusion, Loch Ness is definitely worth a look you won't be disappointed. The story is good, the scenery in the film is beautiful, the acting behind each of the characters was excellent and the animatronic dinosaurs for the film were the most believable Lake monsters that I've ever seen portrayed in a movie of this genre. If you're lucky the film might just inspire you to go see the real Loch Ness and if you're hoping to snap a photo of Nessie just remember what the little girl says in the film, "You have to believe in it before you can see it." After seeing this film with an open mind I assure you that you won't have any trouble believing what's there for yourself.

I saw this movie first on broadcast TV, a place many discover great "B" movies for the first time.

But beyond the plot, beyond the charming photography of Loch Ness locales, beyond the excellent roles played by everyone in the cast, the thing that made me HAVE to own this movie is the unexpectedly charming accent and mannerisms of the real "star" of this movie, "Isabel Mary McFetridge" played by Kirsty Graham. So winsome is this bright red-haired girl of eight years in this film, it is hard to imagine the movie having the same charm with any other child actor. And the fact that Kirsty was not a professional actress prior to being cast in the film may be why all of her dear mannerisms are unlikely to have been "directed," she is just winsome naturally.

Ted Danson played a somewhat disgraced professor/researcher and "seeker of unusual phenomena." He is the man who COULDN'T find Sasquatch, proof of UFOS or any other of the "quests" he pursued. His reputation is more as a laughing stock at this point, and he only reluctantly agrees to go searching after "one more folly," (the Loch Ness Monster) when he is told he only has to prove it "ISN'T there." He is to take state of the art sonar and imaging equipment, scan the Loch with it, and prove the Loch Ness monster is a complete fable. He figures it should be easy to prove this type of negative, and heads for Scotland to "do his job, then get out of Dodge."

Performances by Ian Holm (Lord of the Rings) as the "Water Bailiff" and Joely Richardson (playing mother of Isabel) round out the main roles, but the large blue eyed "Isabel" steals the show.

This is a "must see" film that leaves you cheering at the end. You'll want to buy this one because you're going to want to re-savor the sweet gaelic charm of this film many times over. It's a "keeper."

Will Laura (Joely Richardson), owner of the pub beside Loch Ness, get the man, Dr. Dempsey (Ted Danson)? It's expected from the start, when they meet in confrontation. It's about as predictable as the doctor/scientist getting the facts and a real photo of "Nessie," the monster. But, what will happen if he gets the photo, and wants the girl? How can he save his career and grab the sassy lass as well? It's the progress of the relationship between those two as well as other characters that makes this movie worth the viewing.

Laura's little girl, Isabel (Kirsty Graham), red head and blue eyed lassie with an accent and facial expressions that will melt your heart, opens the eyes of adults with her powers of knowing and seeing. She's almost worth the movie price all by herself. Watch her closely, what a grande bonny job of playing this wee lass.

I'd rank this up there with "The Water Horse." Both are good films for everyone to see. A must for Nessie fans and anyone loving views or stories of Scotland.

Fun fantasy film. Those who want to believe in the Loch Ness monster will enjoy this movie, and for those who enjoy the landscape of Scotland, it is not to be missed. Beautiful shots of Urquhart castle at the edge of the loch. Entertaining romantic comedy as well.

Just what is beneath the surface of the dark waters of the Loch? According to documentaries consumed as a child (narrated by Rod Serling, more often than not - In Search Of Ancient Mysteries), it's quite possibly a missing link dinosaur. We've seen photographs and grainy black and white film footage. Now with "Loch Ness," an immensely enjoyable family yarn released in 1996, let's see if Nessie can take on modern science!

The film stars Ted Danson as a burned out U.S. scientist suffering from alcoholism, divorce and professional scandal after fruitless years in search of Bigfoot (History's Mysteries: Bigfoot and Others Monsters). Depressed and broke, he's given a chance at redemption. Armed with the latest in technology, in addition to a bottle of whiskey, he arrives in Scotland to disprove the legend. He lodges at a picturesque inn with a nice view of the water and, as luck would have it, owned by a single mom (Joely Richardson) with an adorable daughter (Kirsty Graham). He partners with a youthful guide (James Frain), who also happens to be his biggest fan, "I've read all ye books!" Danson, in one of his most appealing performances, samples a wee bit of the local brew in the inn's first-floor pub, where the single mom spends evenings as a no-nonsense bartender brushing off men's advances. On a nightly basis, local eccentrics throw darts, sip pints and eye the stranger with suspicion.

A water bailiff, played by the incomparable Ian Holm, is none too happy at Danson's presence, and attempts to sabotage his efforts while eerily standing at the foot of moldy shoreline castles. Danson tugs along in a boat loaded with scanning computers to expose the empty depths. But what are those caves near the shoreline?

The beauty of "Loch Ness," is not necessarily Danson's search for the mythical beast, but his growing attachment to the small town where he temporarily resides. Multiple times I was reminded of the whimsical classic Local Hero, another film where an American tourist is charmed by the simplicity of a foggy Scottish locale stubbornly holding back the hands of modern time. The town (filmed in Diabaig Village, North Loch Torridon) closely guards a secret and Danson must decide whether to reveal his discoveries or allow mysteries to remain.

"Loch Ness" was released straight to American TV in 1996, though it did receive a European theatrical release. It's a shame, as the film deserves an audience. Lovingly directed by John Henderson, the movie displays sturdy production values, beautiful scenery and earnest performances (especially Graham as the daughter, her only film to date). It's a well-intentioned fantasy more about a troubled soul lost in modern society. I love the local color as Danson dines on meat pies, explores castles and strolls the Loch's lonely shores attempting to rediscover his future. Perhaps it's predictable and Holm has a scene almost identically mirroring his famous moment of exuberance in Chariots of Fire (Two-Disc Special Edition) so many years ago. No matter. In "Loch Ness," there's magic to be discovered, and it's not necessarily in the water. A pleasant surprise.

As the title would suggest "Loch Ness" explores the possibility of the Loch Ness monster, at least on the surface. Ted Danson plays a disillusioned cryptozoologist who is sent on assignment to Loch Ness, Scotland, to disprove the mythical creature's existence. With the assistance of a clairvoyant girl (Kirsty Graham) he discovers many life-changing things, including love.

If you're remotely interested in cryptozoology "Loch Ness" is a must. Despite the fact that the story is predictable, this is a very well-made film. It was filmed in 1994 on location in Scotland and England. Although it was primed for theatrical release and released as such in Europe, in America it was ultimately decided to release it on network TV in September, 1996, which was probably a good decision.

The film has a lot going for it: Ted Danson is perfect as the jaded scientist; Joely Richardson is Beautiful; the little clairvoyant girl is cute and spiritual; the locations are breathtaking; the people are likable and the story touches on important themes that every non-moron can relate to. If you're in the mood for a mindless slasher/monster flick with lots of gore, this isn't the film to see. See "Loch Ness Terror" instead. However, if you care to explore some of life's most vital questions, look no further.

Danson has given up on love in the aftermath of a divorce; he's also given up on his life's work, his dream. He's a laughing stock in the scientific community. Note his powerful statement to his Scottish partner at Loch Ness:

"I'm a joke. I'm the guy who chases looney tunes and you think I don't wanna find something out there? If I nailed a dinosaur in Loch Ness I would be vindicated a thousand times over. I would have it all back and more. But it's not gonna happen. There's nothing down there, there's nothing up in British Columbia, there's nothing unexplained flying around the skies at night. That's just a wish list to make us feel like there's something more to life than the $#*% we got stuck with."

As you can see, the film is more than just cutesy family fare or mindless monster mayhem. The struggle Danson is going through is real and we can all relate to it on some level. We may not be looking for the Loch Ness monster, but we all have dreams; we all hope to discover love in some manner; we all hope to find meaning in life. Unless, of course, we've given up, like Danson's character in the story. Yet, even then, in the blackest pit of anguish & despair there's hope.

There are two general views on life: 1.) That life and the universe are one big meaningless accident and you're just an insignificant bug that will soon be squashed out of existence and memory. And 2.) that there's an intelligent design to the universe and, although it's somehow fallen (i.e. severely messed up), there IS meaning, love, hope and purpose, even if we are presently unable to fully comprehend it.

The film addresses the clash of these two opposing views. We've all experienced the conflict of these two positions within our OWN hearts; it's the clash of flesh and spirit. On the one hand, we WANT to believe the latter position, but life keeps dishing out so much crap that we are seriously tempted to give in to the former.

This is the struggle Danson faces in the story. He's given up; he's stumbling in the darkenss; he's just going through the motions to exist. His smile is mostly a facade.

The little girl is a key factor in his deliverance. She is able to see things as they truly are, including beyond the areas of normal perception. Danson says seeing is believing, but the little girl insists that believing in unseen reality is more important than physically seeing, if you know what I mean.

If this review sounds like a bunch of mumbo jumbo you're not ready for this film. Check out "Freddy V.S. Jason Part VI" instead.

Grade: A-