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Magic in the Water

Play trailer Poster for Magic in the Water PG Released Aug 30, 1995 1h 38m Kids & Family Fantasy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
21% Tomatometer 24 Reviews 58% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
On vacation at a beautiful lake in British Columbia, Ashley (Sarah Wayne) and Joshua (Joshua Jackson), the children of workaholic radio host Jack Black (Mark Harmon), learn about its mythical inhabitant, a sea monster named Orky. Soon, the kids learn that Orky is not only real, he's attempting to communicate with humans to warn them that an evil corporation is illegally dumping pollutants into his home. They try to save Orky with the help of an elderly Native American (Frank Sotonoma Salsedo).
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Magic in the Water

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Critics Consensus

There might be Magic in the Water during this family-friendly adventure, but precious little of it ended up on the screen.

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Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader A singularly unconvincing parable, ultimately hamstrung by awkward, choppy storytelling. May 5, 2014 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times On the minus side are a heavy-handed dose of political correctness and a needless flight into dubious whimsy in an already fanciful situation. May 5, 2014 Full Review Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune If Magic in the Water had been written smarter, both children and adults would have enjoyed it more. Rated: 1.5/4 May 5, 2014 Full Review David Sterritt Christian Science Monitor [A] mildly entertaining fantasy. May 5, 2014 Full Review Daniel Etherington Film4 A formulaic (think Free Willy meets Loch Ness) but pleasant enough family film. May 5, 2014 Full Review David Aldridge Radio Times The result is a slice of delightful escapism that will enchant children and entertain parents as well. Rated: 3/5 May 5, 2014 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Meredith L Kind of a waste of time. Poorly edited, improbably of getting from one place to another around such a giant lake. Disjointed fantasy. What happened to Jack Black’s head injury- now you see it, know you don’t? When the girl loses her wooden carved Orky into the water, it ought to have floated rather than sink. That kind of stuff. I accepted the fantasy premise, but continuity lacked. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/25/24 Full Review Steve D Even the kids will find it quite lame. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Rosana B Muito lindo e apaixonante, como não amar a carinha fofa do Orky, lindinho, o roteiro é todo fofo, as crianças são adoráveis (sou suspeita, amo filme com pirralhos), a dose de humor na medida, aquela reunião dos doidos anônimos, adultos infantis, fofo, tudo muito mágico e encantador, com aquela lição de moral fofa sobre preservação a natureza, respeito a cultura e valorização das tradições... Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/19/22 Full Review Audience Member Full of the greatest mysteries ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/28/23 Full Review Audience Member My favorite movie as a kid I watched it over and over again Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/04/21 Full Review ashley h Magic Water in the Water is a cute film. It is about radio psychologist Jack Black takes his children Joshua and Ashley on a 'vacation' to a lake in British Columbia. Mark Harmon and Joshua Jackson give excellent performances. The screenplay is well written. Rick Stevenson did a great job directing this movie. I enjoyed watching this motion picture because of the adventure and fantasy. Magic in the Water is a must see. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Magic in the Water

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Cast & Crew

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Rick Stevenson

Director

Mark Harmon

Jack Black

Joshua Jackson

Joshua Black

Harley Jane Kozak

Dr. Wanda Bell

Sarah Wayne

Ashley Black

Willie Nark-Orn

Hiro

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Magic in the Water

Magic in the Water (1995) Magic in the Water (1995) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis On vacation at a beautiful lake in British Columbia, Ashley (Sarah Wayne) and Joshua (Joshua Jackson), the children of workaholic radio host Jack Black (Mark Harmon), learn about its mythical inhabitant, a sea monster named Orky. Soon, the kids learn that Orky is not only real, he's attempting to communicate with humans to warn them that an evil corporation is illegally dumping pollutants into his home. They try to save Orky with the help of an elderly Native American (Frank Sotonoma Salsedo).
Director
Rick Stevenson
Producer
Tony Allard, Matthew O'Connor, Rick Stevenson, William Stevenson
Screenwriter
Ninian Dunet, Icel Dobell Massey, Rick Stevenson
Distributor
TriStar Pictures
Production Co
TriStar Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Kids & Family, Fantasy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 30, 1995, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.3M
Runtime
1h 38m
Sound Mix
Surround
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