Sarah Bolger and Freddie Highmore star in THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES(2008).
© Paramount Home Entertainment

Mania Grade: B
DVD: The Spiderwick Chronicles (2-Disc Special Edition)
Rating: PG
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Martin Short, Joan Plowright
Written By: John Sayles, Holly Black, Tony DiTerlizzi
Directed By: Mark Waters
Distributor: Paramount Home Entertainment
Original Year of Release: 2008
Extras: Deleted scenes, trailers, Spiderwicks Field Guide, Six Featurettes
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THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (Two-Disc SE )

The Spiderwick Chronicles is based on a series of popular children’s fantasy novels written by Holly Black and Tony Di Terlizzi. The first book premiered in 2003 with four more following in the next two years. The film essentially encompasses the major plot of the five novels although a number of sub-plots and characters are left out and several significant changes were made to streamline the production, such moving the climactic battle from Mulgarath’s castle to the Spiderwick estate.

The story centers on the Grace family, twins Jared and Simon, older sister Mallory, and mom Helen, who move into the country estate they inherited from their Aunt Lucinda(Joan Plowright) who is now living in a psychiatric facility. Freddie Highmore plays the roles of Jared and Simon Grace in a remarkable performance. I was convinced that they really were twins as Highmore gives each character a distinct personality and mannerisms. Jared is the agitator and angry with his parents for splitting up and forcing the move to the country. Simon is a thoughtful pacifist and animal lover. Highmore’s performance as the twins, as well as the technical aspect of having them onscreen together is flawless.

Jared discovers an old key that opens a truck in the study of Arthur Spiderwick, Lucinda’s father. Inside he finds a book, Spiderwick’s Field Guide and a note warning not to open the book. Well of course Jared opens the book, unleashing evil forces. Jared meets a Brownie named Thimbletack (voiced by Martin Short) who scolds him for opening the book. He warns him that Mulgarath (Nick Nolte), a shape-shifting ogre, wants the book to unlock its magical secrets and gain dominion over the world. He has a legion of goblins, trolls, and other beasties to aid him. A magical circle protects the house, but Mulgarath has found a way to dispel the enchantment, putting the family in peril. The grace family has to find a way to defeat Mulgarath before he can get his hands on the book.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is an enjoyable film for the whole family and vastly superior to other recent films based on children’s/teen fantasy novels, The Golden Compass and Seeker: The Dark is Rising. The Spiderwick Chronicles is geared to kids but could be too intense for young children as some of the monsters, Mulgarath most notably, are quite terrifying. Martin Short is amusing as Thimbletack, the jittery-tempered brownie who can only be calmed by guzzling fresh honey. Seth Rogen provides the voice for Hogsqueal, a Hobgoblin who aids the children.

There is a lot of CGI in Spiderwick that threatens to overwhelm the story when there are dozens of goblins scurrying about and the massive Mulgarath smashing down walls. Still, it has its subtle moments as well with the gentle Sylphs who kidnap Arthur Spiderwick to keep him safe. The tiny fairies look like dandelion fluffs blowing in the wind. The simplicity of the plot also makes it very watchable for kids and probably the reason why so many of the book’s subplots were dropped.

The Two-Disc Special Edition comes with a trunk load of special features…Besides the ususal trailers, TV spots, and deleted scenes there is also an interactive version of Arthur Spiderwick’s field guide that you can use to learn more about the fantastic creatures in the film.

There are also six featurettes that explore the film’s making and the characters and creatures inside and out: