Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicles

Directed by: Mark Waters

Starring: Freddie Highmore

Genre: Fantasy

Run Time: 107 min.

Release Date: February 2008

On The Web: Official Site

Teaser: Movie Trailer

Reviewed by Byron Merritt

Visually appealing even if the story deviated significantly from the novels, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is bound to entertain young and old alike (but perhaps more the old).

Starting with the visuals, Tippet Studios and ILM worked exceptionally well together to put out some very vivid visual effects. The creature creations were both interesting and sometimes creepy, and since this was a large part of what we see as the audience, I found that I was pretty well glued to my TV screen as I watched the DVD.

Although the kids in the film are much older than the kids in the books, I found this change acceptable and not irritating like some Spiderwick purists (and I think it’s okay to be a purist as long as you look at the film as a whole and not in snippets).

The story is that of the Grace family and their inheritance of an old mansion belonging to a (supposedly) deceased family member, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK). Strange things abound inside and outside this seemingly ancient place. But Helen Grace (Mary-Louise Parker, WEEDS) isn’t interested so much in the place as she is getting away from her husband who’s run off and left her with their three children. Mallory (Sarah Bolger) is the eldest and only daughter. Jared and Simon (Freddie Highmore, THE GOLDEN COMPASS) are twin boys but couldn’t be more different. Simon is a self-proclaimed pacifist, while Jared is the belligerent and self absorbed one who finds the new home initially appalling and can’t wait to be picked up by his father.

The house eventually reveals its secretive past: a place where Arthur Spiderwick discovered we humans are not alone in the world. Beautiful and sometimes terrible things lurk in our periphery — and sometimes they are combined. This combination is quickly revealed when Jared finds a special reference book written by Mr. Spiderwick that explains each creature that hides in this peripheral land. With the book comes great danger. Knowledge of them is the primary problem, unless these special creatures want you to see them. And such is the case with Thimbletack (voiced by Martin Short) who initially is supposed to protect this book from prying eyes but fails to keep it out of Jared’s hands. Thimbletack can also change from a caring creature to one of great disrespect and upset when things don’t go the way he plans (note: keep honey nearby to reverse this process). But Thimbletack isn’t the problem; it’s Mulgarath (Nick Nolte, PEACEFUL WARRIOR), an ogre that desires the book and its secrets so that it can rule everyone and everything. And with him are his goblins and beasts that are tenacious in their pursuit of the book.

But can three kids convince their mother that this newfound world is real? And dangerous? Looking through rounded stones and getting “spit in your eye” helps to see them, but what of Mulgarath, the shape-shifting ogre that learns many secrets when pages from the Chronicles are ripped out and passed on to him?

The Grace’s new house becomes the battleground, and the kids realize they need help and information. So they head out to see their great Aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright, MRS. PALFREY AND THE CLAREMONT) who has been confined to a looney bin ever since she revealed to those around her that her father (Arthur Spiderwick) had been abducted by some of the creatures in this nearly invisible realm. Geared up with new and important ideas on how to fight Mulgarath and his legions, the Grace kids race back home and prepare for battle (which includes salt and tomatoes ...are we making pasta here?). But can the kids win against overwhelming odds? Of course they can ...with a little help from unknown quarters (gryphons, old men who aren’t old, and Hogsqueal, a bizarre being with an infatuation for birds).

Most important to this story is that it is a modern one. It isn’t ancient history or trying to be old-English style. There are cell phones and new cars and plenty of modern items that let the audience know when and where they are.

The acting is okay, but Joan Plowright shines as the superstar even though she’s not given much screen time. I’m pretty fond of Freddie Highmore and his performances in AUGUST RUSH and CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, but here he was just “okay.”

The big winners in every sense, though, were the special effects and the scenery. It really pulled the viewer in and made you believe in the things you were seeing; no small task nowadays.

I would warn parents, though, that the PG rating is very well deserved. The violence is ever-present, as are the stabbings of small, evil creatures. It could also be a bit unnerving for kids to see a young boy being dragged off into the wilds by initially invisible creatures. Just a warning for those with real young ones.

Besides that, this is a very good film. Something to watch for on Blu-Ray disc since the visuals are so stunning.