Being a kid is full of of small indignities. Grownups are always pushing you around, telling you what to do. They'll even pick you up if they feel like it. Is there anything less dignified than that• So, it's no wonder that having a really big friend is a recurring fantasy of children's literature -- and especially movies. A creature so big or so strong, he could pick up your parents, if you tell him to. Not Big Bird, but a creature that's bigger, more powerful and potentially scarier. One that can be dangerous if provoked -- but not dangerous to you, its tiny best buddy. Two current movies in theaters use this theme. The kid in "The Water Horse" -- which opens today -- raises the Loch Ness Monster from an egg. The child protagonist in "The Golden Compass" befriends a giant armored polar bear. But those aren't the only "big best friend" movies out there. We've included some others that spring to mind. Which big buddy would you rather have• "The Water Horse" (2007) Wee Scottish lad finds an egg on the beach. It hatches, unleashing a rambunctious, biting little beastie, like a tiny dinosaur with flippers. He names it "Crusoe." But it keeps eating, and growing, and eating ... Care and Feeding: When little, it's cute and playful, and seems happy eating potatoes, kitchen scraps and old leather boots. When it's big -- well, you're going to need your own salmon run. Pros: When big -- it's like having your own pet Navy. You can ride it across the Loch, to the bottom like a submarine, and knock over pesky patrol boats like tub toys. Cons: Gonna need a bigger bathtub. "The Golden Compass" (2007) Little girl, fleeing from the all-powerful Magisterium, befriends a giant polar bear, named lorek Byrnison, with a fondness for strong drink. She helps him find his missing, hidden armor, and he decides to help her. Care and Feeding: It's not clear what Iorek eats, but it probably isn't pretty. Also, don't send his armor out for dry-cleaning -- Iorek's armor is actually his soul (long story). Pros: An armored bear -- with the booming voice of Sir Ian McKellen -- is sure to impress your friends and neighbors. Or you can just have them stomped flat and eaten, your choice. Cons: Nicole Kidman is not amused, and as the unofficial empress of the Magisterium, she will be looking for you. Also other bigger, badder armored bears may want to fight you. "The Iron Giant" (1999) Little boy befriends a giant, 50-foot-tall metal robot/weapon system from outer space, who crashed to earth. Care and Feeding: Eats cars, trucks, tanks, power stations. Pros: The Iron Giant can fly, shoot missiles, recycle large metal items, and pretty much do whatever you want. Cons: Smashing stuff never gets old, but neighbors might call in the National Guard. "The Goonies" (1985) A gang of unruly, unsupervised kids goes on a quest to find a lost pirate treasure, pursued by a gang of ruthless thieves. The kids free the thieves' imprisoned brother, a giant, monstrous freak of nature named Sloth. Care and Feeding: Sloth likes Rocky Road ice cream. Pros: Despite his terrifying demeanor, he's friendly, and handy at tossing bad guys around. Cons: You'll love Sloth until you discover his secret -- he's played by John Matuszak ("The Tooz"!), former defensive end for the Oakland Raiders, and nemesis of the '70s Steelers. "Kazaam" (1996) A young kid, growing up in a very tough 'hood, gets jumped by a gang of local toughs. While fleeing, he ducks into a warehouse and finds a magic boom-box, which summons the ancient genie Kazaam (Shaquille O'Neal). Care and Feeding: Who knows what Shaq eats• I'm guessing sushi by the wheelbarrow, or the leather uppers from old Nikes. Pros: Grants wishes. Cons: Hard fouls, terrible rapping. "Whale Rider" (2002) A young Maori girl believes she is destined to be the chief of her tribe, but her old-school grandpa waits for a male heir. When a group of whales become stranded on the beach -- a terrible omen for the tribe -- she proves her mettle by commanding them and riding them back into the sea. Care and Feeding: Plankton. Whales are pretty self-sufficient. Pros: Better than a boat -- a giant yacht-sized mammal! Cons: Not very talkative. "Lilo & Stitch" (2002) A little Hawaiian girl adopts a strange creature named Stitch, who turns out to be an extraterrestrial fugitive from the law. He's not big, but he's extremely aggressive, dangerous and has few weaknesses -- other than the love of a little girl, of course. Care and Feeding: Whatever space alien/weapon systems eat. Pros: Can destroy everything in his path. Cons: Super-dense body is makes it impossible for Stitch to swim. "Free Willy" (1993) A young, troubled boy gets caught vandalizing an aquarium. While cleaning up, he befriends a killer whale named Willy, and teaches it new tricks. But that doesn't stop Willy's shady owner from planning to have the orca killed. Free Willy! Care and Feeding: Fish. Pros: Does tricks. Cons: No good at video games.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---