Robert Nelson Jacobs adaptation of Dick King-Smith s novel is like E.T. in water, but without the extra panache that would make it a cinematic classic.

So the boy's whole adventure, if you want to call it that, is in hiding Crusoe (Nessie's nickname) from everyone, then later trying to convince everyone that he really exists. Blah, bland, boring.

The facially expressive animal, whom Angus names Crusoe, makes squeaky and scratchy noises as it wobbles about the family’s Scottish house during World War II, causing trouble.

But as Crusoe eats and grows, he gets too big for the bathtub and must be moved to the loch with the help of the family’s handyman (Ben Chaplin).