We live in an era when kids’ films are almost as creatively bankrupt as romantic comedies. The Spiderwick Chronicles, based on the young adult book series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, would seem at first glance to exist among the idea-starved crowd—a kids’ fantasy series in a day and age when all youth-seeking lit seems to cower in the shadow of Harry Potter. Although it features a trio of plucky, prepubescent heroes and a whole host of magical creatures, Spiderwick weaves its own unique spell.
The film wastes little time introducing us to the Grace family. On sole parental duty is harried mom Helen (Mary-Louise Parker). Helen has recently divorced her barely there husband and—due mostly to economic issues—moved her three kids to a crumbling old family estate out in the woods somewhere. Unsettled by the move are tomboyish older sis Mallory (Sarah Bolger, In America) and ’tween twins Simon and Jared (Freddie Highmore of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory fame, playing both roles for no readily apparent reason other than jacking up the special effects budget).
It’s not long before the kids are eagerly exploring the ins and outs of their musty, secret-filled estate. In another story, they might uncover ghosts or pirate treasure. In this case, they find a book. This is no ordinary book, mind you. Penned by their long-gone great-great uncle (Oscar nominee David Strathairn of Good Night, and Good Luck), Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You is an encyclopedia packed with practical information about brownies, sprites, fairies, goblins, hobgoblins and other assorted magical creatures invisibly inhabiting the world around us.
| Trailer for The Spiderwick Chronicles. |
Rebellious young Jared believes the book is real—especially after encountering the book’s guardian, an anger-prone brownie named Thimbletack (Martin Short, contributing his most useful effort in ages). Mallory and Simon aren’t so quick to believe Jared, particularly since the boy has become something of a troublemaker since his parents’ contentious divorce. But when a malevolent, shape-shifting goblin named Mulgrath (Nick Nolte, in a small but memorably psycho cameo) sends his warty hordes to capture the book and its secrets, the rest of the Grace clan become believers in short order.
The plot itself moves like its tail is on fire, sending the kids scampering from one narrow scrape to another. Ultimately, the story is a rather simplistic one, approaching nowhere near the narrative depth of, say, The Lord of the Rings. Given its target audience, that’s hardly a criticism. The characters, on the other hand, are written with a surprising amount of subtlety. Hidden among the screenwriters is recent Virginia Film Festival honoree John Sayles (Lone Star, Passion Fish, Matewan), who can probably be credited with most of the film’s sharper moments.
Dark, mature and filled with intense moments, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a family fantasy that refuses to talk down to its audience. So banish derivative, trend-hopping fantasy books-turned-films like Eragon and The Seeker: The Dark is Rising from your mind. The Spiderwick Chronicles is the rarest of beasts: an intelligent fantasy with a genuine sense of wonderment, a better-than-necessary cast and some incredibly impressive special effects.