The movie had some good messages in it -- even heroes can be wrong, who writes the history we learn to take as truth, and what happens when we empathize with an individual or group that our society tells us to vilify?
I'm glad to hear this film inspired your niece to want to check out the sea and look for a sea-monster friend. It's always good when a TV show or movie inspires curiosity like that.
Wishing you and your niece lots of luck with the monster-hunting and thank you for checking out my post! Very much appreciated!