VIDEO: The trailer for The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

Angus (Alex Etel from Millions) is a familiar type: another shy, fatherless kid in need of a space alien or a pet dragon to help him cope. His new secret friend, a mythical “water horse” presented in dazzling CGI, does the trick, until the adorable little sea worm gets too big for the house and must be moved into . . . Loch Ness. Get the picture? The threat comes from the smarmy British military (it’s World War II), which plans to bomb incoming Nazi U-boats to kingdom come — and Nessie with them. Unlike other Dick King-Smith literary properties (e.g., Babe), the animal cruelty message here is awkward and the faux-ethereal fairy tale takes a backseat to rote slapstick scenes. Not exactly ET meets The Secret of Roan Inish (it’s one of those Walden Media movies), but director Jay Russell lends the production a warm, peaty charm that’s tough to knock. 1 05 Minutes | Boston Common + Fenway + Fresh Pond + Circle/Chestnut Hill + Suburbs