The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Directed by: Mark Waters | 97 minutes | drama, adventure, family, fantasy | Actors: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Seth Rogen, Mary-Louise Parker, David Strathairn, Nick Nolte, Andrew McCarthy, Martin Short, Joan Plowright, Jordy Benattar, Tod Fennell, Mariah Inger

For many, Nickelodeon’s ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ will be more of the same again; an answer to Disney’s favorite children’s fantasy adaptations of ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ (2005 & 2008). But – as is also evident in these fantasy films – appearances are often deceptive. ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ isn’t nearly as grand and epic as ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ in terms of story; it takes place in the now, with cell phones, the internet, MP3 players and adolescent kids. The story is more intimate and seems to be aimed at a younger audience than its competitor, but the special effects suggest otherwise. The film is generally quite exciting – also for adults – and there are a number of frightening effects in it that are not so suitable for the little ones. Fortunately, the scary moments are interspersed with fairytale flower fairies and funny boars that provide the comic relief.

Two brothers Jared and Simon Grace (both played by the talented Freddie Highmore) are forced to move with their sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and their single mother (Mary-Louis Parker). They exchange New York for an old mansion their mother got from her aunt Lucinda (the respectable Joan Plowright), who is now in a madhouse for telling absurd stories about fairies and other magical creatures. The obstinate Jared prefers to live with his father and causes the necessary commotion and frustration among his relatives. When he slowly unravels the dark secrets of the old house, he is not believed at first. Until his brother and sister become victims themselves. An adventure begins and they soon have to face Mulgarath – an evil creature after their great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn) book, which Jared now owns. With the knowledge from that book, he can dominate both the world invisible to humans and the human world. The only one who can help them is Arthur Spiderwick himself, only there is one problem: he suddenly disappeared eighty years ago, and should now be 125 years old…

Meanwhile, Mulgarath and his evil subjects have found a way to lift the protection of the house, and time is running out. Kudos to Freddie Highmore, who has already built up an impressive resume. His Jared and Simon are so different in character that you almost start to believe that they are twins who act. Johnny Depp had already discovered this talent during ‘Finding Neverland’ and it looks like we will be hearing a lot from this young actor. Film sister and ‘newcomer’ Sarah Bolger is also welcome, although she is not nearly as strong in her game as the younger Highmore. Mary-Louis Parker is unfortunately less convincing as a mother, but the beautiful role played by the underappreciated David Strathairn makes up for it. The special effects that the film has to offer make ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ look quite spectacular and exciting, but unfortunately it cannot hide the fact that there are quite a few things wrong with the script here and there. But all in all ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ is a nice film that young and old can certainly appreciate.