Flicks, Andrew Hedley
Another fantasy book series enters the cinematic adaptation competition. It loses to Potter, but certainly beats Narnia; coming in at a respectable place just behind The Golden Compass.
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The Spiderwick Chronicles
A fantasy film based on the best-selling book series, with an array of magical creatures including Brownies, Boggarts, Goblins and Faeries. Peculiar things start to happen the moment the Grace family (Jared, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory and their mum) leave New York and move into the secluded old house owned by their great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick.
Unable to explain the strange disappearances and accidents that seem to be happening on a daily basis, the family blames poor old Jared (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's Freddy Highmore). But when he, Simon and Mallory investigate what's really going on, they uncover the fantastic truth about the Spiderwick estate and of the magical creatures that inhabit it. Featuring the voices of Martin Short and Seth Rogen. Nick Nolte plays the evil demon Mulgarath.
2008Rating: PG, Some Scenes May Scare Young Children96 minsUSA
AdventureKids & FamilyFantasy
- Director:
- Mark Waters ('Mean Girls', 'Freaky Friday')
- Writer:
- Karey KirkpatrickDavid BerenbaumJohn Sayles
- Cast:
- Sarah BolgerFreddy HighmoreSeth RogenMary-Louise ParkerDavid StrathairnNick NolteMartin ShortJoan Plowright
The Spiderwick Chronicles / Reviews
Variety
A work of both modest enchantment and enchanting modesty, grounded in a classically Spielbergian realm where childlike wonderment crosses paths with the tough realities of young adulthood.
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Hollywood Reporter
An enjoyable adventure fantasy that pushes all the requisite buttons while still managing to throw in a pleasant surprise or two.
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Empire Magazine
A late entry in a crowded field, Spiderwick works hard to set itself apart from the competition, and almost entirely succeeds - no mean feat these days.
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Dominion Post
But The Spiderwick Chronicles is at least essayed with a bit of flair, some darker than expected moments - a lot of this film is going to be far too intense for anyone under nine or 10 - and a nicely understated visual style that complements the characters, rather than distracting from them.
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Christchurch Press
It benefits from a great cast, which includes Joan Plowright, the voices of comedians Seth Rogen and Martin Short, plus a cameo from '80s star Andrew McCarthy. It's only let down by a schmaltzy ending. It may also be too scary for the little ones, but my nine-year-old nephew loved it, rating it five stars. Thankfully, there's plenty to keep the adults entertained, too.
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BBC
Elegantly condensed from a series of books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, The Spiderwick Chronicles is an intimate fantasy flick: it never aims for the broad-canvas thrills of the Potter or Rings movies, concentrating instead on a small group of characters and a self-contained world.
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