DVD Review: The Spiderwick Chronicles

Above average kid's flick should keep 'em busy for a couple hours

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Tuesday, June 24th 2008 at 5:22 PM

Based on a series of children's books I admit to being entirely unfamiliar with, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a fairly pleasant adventure that, while not particularly original, is fairly enjoyable. The enjoyment one takes from it is surely relative to their age, but I highly doubt anyone could justifiably hate it.

Revolving around a group of kids who unwittingly come into possession of the "Field Guide" of magical beasts found in their New England country house, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a surprisingly solid movie. Led by Freddie Highmore (who has a rather convincing American accent for such a young actor), they are forced to fend off a wide variety of monsters to protect the secrets of the book.

In a setup up more than a little reminiscent of the climax of Straw Dogs, they must defend themselves and their home from the forces of evil. Aside from the help some supporting adults like Mary-Louise Parker and David Strathairn (who I really, really wanted to say "Good night, and good luck" whenever I saw him), the young talent is left to carry most of the movie, and they do a fine job of it. These three young people are clearly more talented than your average child-actors. The film also does a good job with the action, handling it much more ably than others of its type. Other than the flat CGI, the only real complaint one can place is that The Spiderwick Chronicles is almost too effective. [ ... ]