Loch Ness

the acting at first i thought seemed a little dry but really builds up character throughout the movie, now Ted Danson adds a great actor to the cast and the little girl really brightens up the movie, all in all not a bad flick for an afternoon movie.

7 out of 10.

This movie can be enjoyed as long as you are prepared to accept the plot for what it is - A far fetched romantic tale to well the tears in your eyes and make you think "Awww... isn't that sweet" The plot as far as the actual "Beastie of the Loch" is far-fetched enough without stretching the bounds or reality with the love story.

Being far-fetched does not, however, mean that this movie is not worth watching. I actually quite enjoyed it, and was able to watch along with a young family without having to cringe at foul language or blatant sex scenes. Take this movie for what it is - family entertainment. The kids will live the monster storyline and the special effects, the romantic among us will sniffle at the course of true love, and the others will probably find this to be a fairly average, fairly entertaining way to spend 90 minutes or so of your time.

Ted Danson stars as John Dempsey, a college professor who's hit rock bottom. His car breaks down, he's being chased for money and has zero professional credibility left. But his boss offers him a job to redeem himself "Go to Loch Ness, Scotland". Naturally, John thinks he's being asked to find the monster, but his boss says quite the contrary. "Go there and prove it's not there" he offers. Out of options and out of money, Dempsey reluctantly takes the job and heads off to Scotland.

Far from home and hating it, Dempsey reluctantly drags his feet through the nearby town, where his reputation as a monster hunter follows him. Colleagues from the scientific world approach him like adoring fans, asking how he tracked the Yeti and found Bigfoot. It's a past Dempsey would like to forget, as it's the reason no one takes him seriously anymore. And from all his past searchings of urban legends, he's never found anything, so is in complete denial that he will find the Loch Ness. After all, it's isn't real... right?

Armed with a boat he decks out with the best scientific equipment, Dempsey hits the water, with the assistant of his predecessor tagging along. Up and down, back and forth; the professor maps the massive lake with his scanners and sonar gadgets, but nothing is detected. Once again, Dempsey is the centre of jokes and ridicule, as he puts his already tarnished reputation on the line to find something not even the locals believe exists. Until he meets a young girl on the banks of the lake. Her name is Isabel; a wee lass with locks of red hair, and the strongest Scottish accent since Billy Connolly. For the age of nine, she is very cluey and switched on, and might just hold the secret behind the truth of the Loch Ness monster.

"Loch Ness" is not a film about the monster itself, but more about mans search for the monster. And it's an interesting character study, when Dempsey validates his argument that the creature does in fact not exist. He references his past, about being the optimistic monster hunter that believed in the unseen and unexplained. But when he turns up nothing yet again at Loch Ness (to start with at least), he is reminded that like every other story about Bigfoot, aliens and UFO's, they are probably just stories made up to makes us believe there is something better and far greater beyond what we just see with our own eyes. The unexplained mysteries of life allude to that, but when most of us never see such things, it's hard to believe. That is what the message of this film is all about; "Believing is seeing"

Dempsey (Ted Danson) is a sort of photojournalist of the weird happenings on planet earth. Having fallen on somewhat hard times, he, nevertheless, is reluctant to attempt his next assignment. The boss directs him to Scotland, where he is to use modern technology to PROVE once and for all that there is no Nessie Monster. There is no real choice but for Dempsey to get on a plane. When he lands, he almost drives over a pretty local lady, Laura (Joely Richardson). In short order, he finds out that she has the only rooming house and, after some begging, she lets him a room. Also in the house is her beautiful young daughter, Isabella (Kirsty Graham). Of all of the Scots, Izzy is the most welcoming to Dempsey. Hiring a boat and crew, Dempsey begins his exploration. This greatly displeases the bailiff (Ian Holm) but the lawman can do little to stop the efforts. As time goes on, no monster does appear, so Dempsey is soon ready to go back to the States. However, one day, Izzy reveals some secrets, big ones. Also, Laura, despite her outward dislike for Dempsey, may, in fact, be attracted to the brash American. Is there romance ahead? First, this film has a terrific setting, the beautiful country around Loch Ness. If you always wishes to go to Scotland but, have little money and big flying anxieties, you will be enchanted with the view. Then, the main actors are quite good, with Danson doing a variation of his smug humor and Richardson looking great and sporting a fine accent. Holm, Graham and all of the others support them nicely. The production also features fine costumes, an arresting script, gorgeous photography and a steady direction. In short, look for Loch, you fans of romance and family-friendly features. It's lovely.

A discredited American scientist (played by Ted Danson) is appointed the task of proving once and for all whether there is an unknown species in Loch Ness.

This is a fine family film which manages to be warm and sincere without losing sight of its main theme. There are plenty of interesting characters and moments of humour.

The only problems are the monsters themselves, which have faces like Jurassic Park Raptors. And caves under the castle? Only ten minutes of this were actualy filmed at Loch Ness, most of it taken at another Scottish loch which apparently 'looked more like Loch Ness than Loch Ness itself'.

If you can ignore the odd clanger, however, this is still a film hat's certainly worth seeing.