Albeit slightly sugarcoated it follows the book quite well.
We start the movie with this beautiful opening that showcases the film's setting. We then see John Arable trying to decide what to do with a pig who is a runt. But, before he can do away with it his daughter Fern is able to stop him. John then decides that Fern can raise the pig until he's big enough to be sold. She develops a bond with the piglet and names him Wilbur, but the bond is cut short. Much to Fern's protest John then decides to sell Wilbur to his brother in law Homer Zuckerman this way Fern can come for a visit.
Wilbur is lonely until he meets a spider by the name of Charlotte A. Cavatica. The two become friends and although Wilbur is excited to have made a friend he later learns that he will be slaughtered in the fall. Charlotte decides to help save Wilbur's life. With the help of a rat named Templeton Charlotte is able to write messages in her webs to describe Wilbur.
The pig becomes famous and Zuckerman decides to take him to the county fair. Where a final message from Charlotte decides the fate of Wilbur. "Humble" is the word that makes Zuckerman decide that his pig will live to a ripe age. Charlotte is proud of Wilbur and decides to show him her egg sack containing 514 baby spiders. Sadly, Charlotte tells Wilbur she will not be able to go back to Zuckerman's farm because she is too old and exhausted. Charlotte passes away and Wilbur is saddened. Taking her egg sack Wilbur decides to keep her children safe until Spring when they hatch. 511 spiders are seen leaving the farm and this upsets Wilbur. Until he sees three little spiders up where Charlotte's Web used to be. He christens them Joy, Aranea and Nellie.
This movie does a good job telling the story but the emotional scenes were toned down compared to the 1973 animated film. Added slapstick involving Templeton and a couple of crows and a celebrity heavy voice cast including Julia Roberts and Reba McEntire. Personally I think it's a fine adaptation and families will love it.
We start the movie with this beautiful opening that showcases the film's setting. We then see John Arable trying to decide what to do with a pig who is a runt. But, before he can do away with it his daughter Fern is able to stop him. John then decides that Fern can raise the pig until he's big enough to be sold. She develops a bond with the piglet and names him Wilbur, but the bond is cut short. Much to Fern's protest John then decides to sell Wilbur to his brother in law Homer Zuckerman this way Fern can come for a visit.
Wilbur is lonely until he meets a spider by the name of Charlotte A. Cavatica. The two become friends and although Wilbur is excited to have made a friend he later learns that he will be slaughtered in the fall. Charlotte decides to help save Wilbur's life. With the help of a rat named Templeton Charlotte is able to write messages in her webs to describe Wilbur.
The pig becomes famous and Zuckerman decides to take him to the county fair. Where a final message from Charlotte decides the fate of Wilbur. "Humble" is the word that makes Zuckerman decide that his pig will live to a ripe age. Charlotte is proud of Wilbur and decides to show him her egg sack containing 514 baby spiders. Sadly, Charlotte tells Wilbur she will not be able to go back to Zuckerman's farm because she is too old and exhausted. Charlotte passes away and Wilbur is saddened. Taking her egg sack Wilbur decides to keep her children safe until Spring when they hatch. 511 spiders are seen leaving the farm and this upsets Wilbur. Until he sees three little spiders up where Charlotte's Web used to be. He christens them Joy, Aranea and Nellie.
This movie does a good job telling the story but the emotional scenes were toned down compared to the 1973 animated film. Added slapstick involving Templeton and a couple of crows and a celebrity heavy voice cast including Julia Roberts and Reba McEntire. Personally I think it's a fine adaptation and families will love it.