Magic in the Water

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Magic in the Water ★½ 1995 (PG)

Divorced, obnoxious radio shrink and neglectful dad Dr. Jack Black (Harmon) takes the kiddies on a summer jaunt to a Canadian lake, where they begin to ex plore the legend of Orky, Canada's an swer to the Loch Ness monster. Dad be comes a believer when Orky possesses his body and (New Age Alert!) releases his inner child. Harmless fun for the kids, but parents will gag at the attempt to provide a meaningful and symbolic message, which arrives with all the subtlety of an Oliver Stone history lesson. Sort of an “E.T.” meets “Free Willy” with Orky shilling for the EPA. Beautiful cinematography showcasing the British Columbia landscape helps, but not enough. 100m/C VHS, DVD . Mark Harmon, Joshua Jackson, Harley Jane Kozak, Sarah Wayne, Willie Nark-Orn, Frank S. Salsedo; D: Rick Stevenson; W: Icel Dobell Massey, Rick Stevenson; C: Thomas Burstyn; M: David Schwartz. Genie ‘95: Cinematog., Sound.