The Spiderwick Chronicles
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Sarah Bolger
Rated: PG
97 minutes
Kiddy horror is a genre generally unappreciated. It’s probably due to the massive amounts of kiddy tripe that’s thrown on the screen so often. But every few years there’s a good un and this time it’s The Spiderwick Chronicles. Yet another in the kid’s fantasy book turned movie this one is the work of Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. However, unlike the Golden Compass and Narnia this time they decided to get the whole series of books over in one neat package.
The story: single mom and three kids move away from dad into their crazy aunts abandoned house. Well wouldn’t you know it, there’s a secret book no one is supposed to read complete with a note that says Warning: do not read. If ever there was a way to get teenage boys to read books that’s the one. So the book is opened and a fantasy world is revealed with fairies, griffins, and a bad-ass goblin lord bent on killing everyone.
The acting is definitely passable with Freddie Highmore actually playing both the boys and Weed’s star Mary-Louise Parker is her usual hotty-mom-with-challenging-kids character. Not to mention the CGI Graphics, of which there are many, are quite well done.
The plot isn’t incredibly deep but the goblin and fairy action is enough to keep the movie entertaining. If you’re looking for a family friendly horror, this is definitely the movie you’re looking for. And after watching it I have the strangest urge to watch Goonies again.