Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Mee Shee: The Water Giant is a cute and entertaining family film. The storyline is pretty good--though predictable, the acting fair, and the creature, Mee Shee, looked great (but biologically improbable). And while not action laden it does have a few decent action sequences. This movie would appeal to young kinds perhaps 12 and under, and the parents will not be too bored.

Plot: Mac's (Daniel Madger) mother has passed away and he is living with his dad who is a workaholic. His dad works for an oil company as an underwater salvager. His dad has promised Mac a trip to Disney in Florida. But just as they are about to leave on the trip, Mac's dad gets called into work to retrieve a drill bit that has fallen into a deep lake in Canada. So the Florida trip is postponed until after the salvage mission. Mac is very upset, as this kind of thing has happened before with him and his dad. Mac is always being placed second to his father's work. Mac's dad decides to take Mac along to Canada saying they will go straight to Florida after his job. Upon arriving in the small Canadian town, Mac discovers that there is a legend about a creature living in the lake (a sort of Loch-Ness monster in Canada). Mac sets out to discover if the tale is real. Will Mac find the monster, and will anyone believe him if he does find it? You will have to watch the movie to find out.

A secondary plot is that there are two independent salvagers also trying to recover the drill bit at the same time as Mac's Dad. They try sabotaging the sub that Mac' Dad is using, and even resort to mild violence. Who will get the drill bit first, Mac's Dad or the bad guys? You will have to watch to find out.

The Monster, Mee Shee looks pretty good as it should coming from Jim Henson's Creature Shop (it had really big eyes). The few action sequences are good and semi-mild, but there is a fire explosion and some violence (there are a couple of fights)--which may disturb or be inappropriate for very young children. There is no foul language in the film.

The acting is good and the personality of the characters is what holds some of the slower parts of the movie together. Daniel Madger is Mac, the hurt and confused boy. He is lively, but not a troublemaker. He gets into kid trouble that is not malicious in nature. He is also a hurt and confused boy who doesn't know why his father won't spend time with him. I thought Daniel did a nice job portraying all the facets of Mac. Bruce Greenwood plays Sean. Mac's Dad, the workaholic who is used to having his wife care for their son. He doesn't really know how to relate to or help his son. They never really bonded while his wife was alive and now they don't know how to take the first step. Bruce does a nice job at the caring man who doesn't know how to treat or relate to his son. All he knows is his work; he needs to figure out how to put family first. Rena Owen is Crazy Norma. She is a Native American living in the area who also believes in Mee Shee. In fact once a week she feeds Mee Shee Salmon, which is his favorite dish. She is a very interesting character, very lively. She is a nice distraction in some of the slow parts of the film. Phyllida Law is Mrs. Coogan. She is a very British (Mary Pippins like) lady who keeps a boarding house where Mac and Sean are staying. She watches Mac while Sean is working. She is sympathetic to Mac plight and helps nudge Sean in the right direction. Luanne Gordon plays Laura who is Mrs. Coogan's daughter. She is the only sane grown-up to believe Mac about Mee Shee. She has a great smile that lights up the whole screen when she is in the shot and she also provides a love interest for Sean. Tom Jackson is Custer. He is a Native American (brother to Norma) who helps Sean with the salvage. He has a nice presence, as he is a man of few words. He also tries to nudge Sean in the right direction concerning his son. Custer's daughter, Pawnee (Jacinta Wawatai) is the cute little girl who makes friends with Mac and shares in his adventures. Overall I'd say the acting was good and was some of what held the movie together.


This would be a good Sunday afternoon family movie. It may be too violent for younger kinds but I would say kids 8-12 or so should it enjoy it and it isn't too painful for parents. So when you have watched their favorite Disney movie for the 100th time give yourself a break and rent Mee Shee: The Water giant.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12