The Spiderwick Chronicles Reviews

Review #1 by Salpi

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” was a very good and fascinating movie. ”The Spiderwick Chronicles” happens to be part of a book series. I have never read the books before, but this movie seemed fantastic. This movie is one of the most magical movies that I have ever seen. It is an action-packed fantasy adventure that will have you on the edge of your seat. It is full of fairies, creatures, mystery, and suspense, and special effects are outstanding as well. The story takes place in a house that could fit into any haunted house movie easily so it helps to sell the whole idea of magical presence. Some parts of the movie my eyes felt like they were glued to the screen, not sure what would happen next. The movie is directed by mark S. Waters. The actors include: Freddie Highmore as Jared and Simon, Sarah Bolger as Mallory, Nick Nolte as Mulgrath, Martin Short as Thimbletack, Seth Rogen as Hogsqueal, and David Strathairn as Arthur Spiderwick.

Helen Grace (Mary-Louise Parker) has just separated from her husband and decided to move into the former home of her great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. The completely rundown Spiderwick mansion is isolated in the countryside. Helen's three children include twins (both played by Freddie Highmore) Simon, the brainy one, and Jared, the rebellious one who desperately misses his father, and teenager Mallory (Sarah Bolger), who loves playing with her sword. The long vanished uncle, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn), an unusual naturalist, fit the family pattern of unreliable fathering. He Spent his days in the attic full of spooky odd things, neglecting his only child Lucinda, eventually disappearing without a trace. Lucinda (played as an adult by Joan Plowright) explained to investigators that dandelion fluffy pixies carried her dad away. I liked the fact that this movie goes from present to past and back to present again.

Additionally, the mother, Helen Grace is battling with the rebellious Jared, one of her twin sons. He doesn’t like being away from his dad, he is homesick, and he doesn’t want anything to do with this dusty and spider webby old ruin that was left to his mom by her aunt. Jared’s smarter twin Simon looks identical, because he is also played by Freddie Highmore. The twins’ sister is the courageous, Mallory (Sarah Bolger) a fencer who seldom goes anywhere without her sword. Jared is the kind of kid who is always getting blamed for everything like when stuff starts disappearing. For example, his sister’s medal disappears. But he is brave. In the attic, Jared discovers Arthur Spiderwick’s “Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You” that contains his findings and experiences with the secret realm of creatures like goblins, trolls, and spirits that can transform into different shapes. Jared meets Thimbletack (the voice of martin Short) who wants him to protect Arthur’s book. It must not fall into the hands of the shape transforming and evil ogre Mulgrath (Nick Nolte) and his nasty followers. Jared, his twin brother, and his sister take on the mission of protecting the book. They also involve their great aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright) who has spent some time in a mental institution after her encounter with Mulgrath and Arthur’s disappearance.

Basically they discover the magical history of the property. The magical spy glass was cool because it lets you see through to a different world of creatures. This movie reminded me of the “Haunted Mansion,” “Bridge to Terabithia,” “Jumanji,” and “Narnia” because of all the creatures and magical stuff that was going on in the movie. In this movie the book brought bad luck, and in the other movies like “Jumanji” the game board brought bad luck.

Overall, the moral turns out to be “revenge tastes sweet.” Revenge is one of the most fundamental drives of human beings, and may God forbid that children be taught about it at an early age, it is better by far to let them without a doubt discover it on their own. From this movie anyone can learn that forgiveness is important and even though Jared hates his mom for a certain amount of time in this movie, it teaches us that love can take the enemies away as well. “The Spiderwick Chronicles” is a terrific entertainment for the whole family. I would definitely recommend this movie. Go see it and enjoy.