| The Spiderwick Chronicles [2008] | ![The Spiderwick Chronicles [2008]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Js5MNX%2BOL._SL160_.jpg)
 enlarge
| Director: Mark Waters
Actors: Seth Rogen, Freddie Highmore, David Strathairn, Martin Short
Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment
Category: DVD
List Price: £19.99
Buy New: £6.83
You Save: £13.16 (66%)
New (14) Used (6) from £5.39
Avg. Customer Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 120
Format: Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Running Time: 92 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 5014437953537
ASIN: B0015S0S9O
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: July 14, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
|
| Customer Reviews:
 Great film July 20, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
I'd forgotten what a good kid's action/fantasy film was like after watching rubbish like Harry Potter, Arthur and the Invisibles etc.
Get this film it has a great plot, great villains and is superbly acted, by the kids and the adults alike.
 god this film sucks July 13, 2008
5 out of 19 found this review helpful
i saw a few adverts for this and it looked quite good so i went to go and see it with my family. i was hoping it to be epically like the first Narnia film but it really wasn't!
the acting in it was awful and they had annoying little characters which made the whole thing worse.
finally it ended with a cheesy scene which i could nearly say word for word the first time i saw it!
Awful film
 Beautiful Film July 5, 2008
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
I would highly recommend this film. The story, plot and setting are wonderfully magical and the computer generated characters were brilliant.
I loved it. It's as every bit as entertaining as a Harry Potter film. Thankfully it was nothing to do with spiders at all but a wonderful fantasy film about Brownies, Sylphs, hob goblins, trolls and all manner of ugly fairytale baddies who the children have to face to protect a magical book.
The reason I would only give it 4 stars though is it did not hold the attention of of my 3 children aged 8 and under at all. I can only assume to really grab the attention the child needs to be slightly older. The only other slight gripe I has is the American accents of the twins was terrible and really grated. The acting though was first class.
I was so impressed by the film though I am going to purchase the books - there is a lovely trunk set currently available for children on Amazon for 15.
A Heart Pounding Family Fantasy Adventure June 27, 2008
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
The Grace family is moving from New York to the family estate in the middle of nowhere. It is no one's first choice, but newly single mom Helen (Mary-Louise Parker) has a job in the area. And it allows them a chance to move into the Spiderwick mansion. Helen is related to the Spiderwicks. In fact, she has inherited the mansion, so it cuts down on costs.
Of her three kids, daughter Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and son Simon (Freddie Highmore) are okay with the change. Simon's twin Jared (also Freddie Highmore) is not. He can't wait for his dad to come and get him out of there.
The house is creepy, and right away things start to go missing. Jared hears a noise in the wall that leads to the discovery of a dumb waiter and a hidden room. Exploring further, Jared finds an old book with a warning on the cover. Ignoring the warning, Jared opens the book and starts to read.
It's only after reading the book that Jared realizes what he's done. See, the book contains the secrets of all the creatures that are in the world around us that we can't see, like fairies, goblins, and ogres. And one ogre in particular, Mulgarath (voiced by Nick Nolte), wants that book so he can destroy everything. Now Jared, Simon, and Mallory are in the fight of their lives to find a way to defeat Mulgarath and stay alive. Can they do it?
This movie is an adrenaline fueled ride. It is creepy and intriguing from the first few seconds and builds from there. I was on the edge of my seat by the end. While I absolutely loved it, it might frighten young kids. I would seriously question whether anyone under 8 or so would enjoy it. Of course, you know your own kids best, so judge accordingly.
While a fast paced thrill ride, the story still hangs together. A couple things got glossed over in the ending, but they were minor. The acting is great as well, especially from Sarah Bolger and Freddie Highmore who carry the film since they are in every scene. Freddie makes both his characters different. I expect we'll be seeing lots more from him in the future.
The special effects could have been a little better. I don't know whether they were going for stylized or what, but they aren't up to the level we are used to seeing these days. And it just goes to show how spoiled we are because they are certainly adequate. They just aren't the blow your socks off stuff we normally see these days.
If this movie won't scare your kids, see it. Heck, see it even if you don't have kids. This is an entertaining fantasy thrill ride that anyone old enough will love.
Amazing Graces June 18, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
Short Attention Span Summary (SASS)
1. Helen Grace moves into the Spiderwick Estate with her three kids, Mallory, Simon and Jared. Simon and Jared are twins (played by the impressive Freddie Highmore)
2. It doesn't take the kids long to find a secret room, a locked chest and a book marked "Do NOT read"
3. You can guess what happens next
4. Up pops a tiny Brownie named Thimbletack (Martin Short) who changes into a Boggart when riled up.
5. He gets riled up a lot
6. There's an evil Ogre named Mulgarath (Nick Nolte) who commands an army of Goblins, and really, really wants the aforementioned book
7. The Ogre can change his appearance, and is at his most frightening when he looks like Nick Nolte.
8. During the machinations and shenanigans to protect the book, the kids meet a scene stealing Hobgoblin named Hogsqueal (Seth Rogen) who has a talent for expectorating and a penchant for bipedal, endothermic vertebrate animals that lay eggs (also known as birds)
9. The kids set off on a quest to find the author of the book, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn)
10. When they get back, they have to quickly work out a strategy for repelling Goblins and an Ogre who looks like the Grinch on steroids.
11. Exciting yet somewhat disturbing altercation ensues
12. Just desserts are served for the grand finale.
The movie is based on the five books that make up The Spiderwick Chronicles, but barely touches book three, Lucinda's Secret and never touches book four, The Ironwood Tree. There are a few small differences, but for the most part the movie captures the spirit of the series.
Relatively short, it's ideal for kids from around ten or so, as there are some mildly scary scenes and one close to the end that could be disturbing until the twist is revealed.
It's also recommended that you get the series for your young `uns. The books are short, easy to read and full of magical and fantastical adventures. Don't forget the follow-up The Nixie's Song (Beyond The Spiderwick Chronicles, Book 1), and the soon to be released A Giant Problem (Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles)
Amanda Richards
|
|
|
