Since Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter have reinvented the fantasy film genre producers in Hollywood have been desperate to repeat that success. Producers have looked for children's books to adapt into films and hope to have a series. The Spiderwick Chronicles is a better attempt and a perfectly enjoyable family film.
The Grace Family, mum Helen (the always lovely Mary Louise Parker), daughter Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and twins Jared and Simon (both played by Freddie Highmore) move from New York to a country house they inherited. Jaden is particularly hostile to the move and clashes with his family. But Jared soon finds a book written by his great great uncle, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathaim) that is about the mystical creatures that we can not see. But the powerful ogre Mulgrarath (Nick Nolte) wants the book for himself to make him unstoppable. Soon the children have to work together to stop him.
Mark Waters is know for making family friendly films and he certainly makes a fast paced little adventure with quite a bit of action and small doses of comedy. The Spiderwick Chronicles speeds along nicely, not allowing things to drag and there is a some good CGI for the fantasy creatures. They is a light hearted tone to the film, making it enjoyable for children of all ages, I am such children would enjoy it like I enjoyed Jumanji when I was a child.
There is strong chemistry between Highmore and Bolger. You can believe that they are brother and sister, fighting, arguing and putting each other down. It was also a tough role by Highmore because he had to play two very different characters, though Jaden was the more major character. As well as being a fantasy film there is also a family drama behind all the action as the family learn to trust Jaden and come to terms with their new move.
There are some elements we have all seem before such as the kids moving to a new town and having trouble within their family situation. But it is still a well done film.
The Grace Family, mum Helen (the always lovely Mary Louise Parker), daughter Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and twins Jared and Simon (both played by Freddie Highmore) move from New York to a country house they inherited. Jaden is particularly hostile to the move and clashes with his family. But Jared soon finds a book written by his great great uncle, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathaim) that is about the mystical creatures that we can not see. But the powerful ogre Mulgrarath (Nick Nolte) wants the book for himself to make him unstoppable. Soon the children have to work together to stop him.
Mark Waters is know for making family friendly films and he certainly makes a fast paced little adventure with quite a bit of action and small doses of comedy. The Spiderwick Chronicles speeds along nicely, not allowing things to drag and there is a some good CGI for the fantasy creatures. They is a light hearted tone to the film, making it enjoyable for children of all ages, I am such children would enjoy it like I enjoyed Jumanji when I was a child.
There is strong chemistry between Highmore and Bolger. You can believe that they are brother and sister, fighting, arguing and putting each other down. It was also a tough role by Highmore because he had to play two very different characters, though Jaden was the more major character. As well as being a fantasy film there is also a family drama behind all the action as the family learn to trust Jaden and come to terms with their new move.
There are some elements we have all seem before such as the kids moving to a new town and having trouble within their family situation. But it is still a well done film.