i saw this film this afternoon with my partner . i agree with other poster that the opening modern day scene in the pub and set up the narrator and felt force and false . otherwise and what a wonderful film this be . it a real coming of age story of an introverted young boy and miss his dad ( off to war ) terribly and and the event that help him come out of his shell and begin to interact with others . the cgi water horse be totally convincing and from newborn baby just out of the egg to full blow adulthood . it really have a personality . the actor be convince in their role and too . my partner and i be bring almost to tear and in a good way and by some scene . the end and which i will not reveal and bring the tale full circle beautifully . if not for the jarring narrator scene and i would have rat this film high than i do .