The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker, David Strathairn, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright
Director: Mark Waters
Screenplay: Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum
Running Time: 107 minutes
AFTER my seven and five year old boys saw the trailer on the gigglebox, it was a fait acompli as to what movie we'd be seeing during the school holidays. Was a bit apprehensive that my five year old might freak out, but he survived the experience.
Based on a set of cute little books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, pic tells the story of the Grace children - twins Jared and Simon, and elder sibling Mallory - and their adventures when they arrive in rural New England to start a new life after their parents have separated. Spiderwick is the name of an estate inherited by the Grace children’s mother from Great-Aunt Lucinda Spiderwick, who is in the local nut house after apparently seeing faeries, goblins and the like.
Turns out that back in the day, Lucinda’s father, Arthur, discovered a way of reaching out to faeries, goblins and assorted other creatures of mythology and wrote a book about his experiences. Said book offers main plank of story, with chief ogre/goblin/villain Mulgarath believing that if he manages to get the book, he not only controls the faery world, but our world as well. Luckily the book is kept in the house, which is surrounded by a charm to protect it from Mulgarath and his band of evil goblins. Story revolves around the kids trying to keep the book out of Mulgarath’s hands.
Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) takes on the dual role of the Jared and Simon – not an easy task for a young actor considering the twins have different personalities. Sarah Bolger does well as the competent, if not whiney, Mallory, while Joan Plowright gives the best performance of the supporting cast. Also a cameo by former Brat Packer Andrew McCarthy is a pleasant surprise (whatever happened to his career – thought he’d outdo Tom Cruise and the like).
I don’t think I’m giving anything away by saying the bad guy looses, but the way in which his demise occurs is certainly sudden, original and made everybody in the cinema laugh.
Holds a place somewhere ahead of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe but behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy in the pecking order of fantasy films adapted from a book.
3.5 stars out of 5
