An enjoyable adventure fantasy sure to cast a spell over its audiences. But just as importantly, it weaves a story that resonates with spiritual truth.
Comment
02/14/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
79
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:138
Fresh:109
Rotten:29
Average Rating:6.7/10
Consensus: The Spiderwick Chronicles is an entertaining children's adventure, with heart and imagination to spare.
Theatrical Release:21-03-2008
Synopsis: Based on the bestselling series of children's fantasy novels of the same name by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES follows the adventures of the Grace family, newly... [More]
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright
Director: Mark Waters
Reviews for The Spiderwick Chronicles
Just because The Spiderwick Chronicles isn't an insta-classic doesn't mean it's not a fine time at the movies.
02/14/08
A fantasy adventure with the questionable uplifting message that revenge tastes sweet.
02/14/08
A safe mix of fantasy and fright, the adventurous tale The Spiderwick Chronicles fills a gap in solid entertainment for children and adults.
02/14/08
...a wonderful stand-in for childhood itself, when kids often have adventures involving things only they can see.
02/14/08
"The Spiderwick Chronicles" is a modest and reasonably charming example of a genre that isn't exactly renowned for modesty or charm.
02/14/08
...just the sort of 'fantastical' adventure we've needed at the movies after the Oscar onslaught and ensuing winter doldrums.
02/14/08
a Ghoulies for the post-millennial crowd, complete with lots of short attention span flash
02/14/08
The Spiderwick Chronicles may be too good to waste on kids. Sure, it's full of goblins and monsters and griffins and sprites, but hey! it's a really good movie, eminently suitable for the more mature crowd.
02/14/08
Maybe it's fantasy fatigue, but for all the pretty effects and breathless chases and goblin war battles, the sense of wonder and magic is lost in the shuffle.
02/14/08
After lovingly setting up the intricate relationships among its characters Spiderwick loses itself in the action and pretty special effects, only recovering in time to do a rushed, pat wrap-up.
02/13/08
Brevity works in the film's favor, turning a potential franchise headache into a delightful winter diversion brimming with revolting creatures, magical spells, and entertaining acts of mass goblin death.
02/13/08
An engaging, adventurous tale filled with all sorts of intriguing and entertaining characters.
02/13/08
that perfect nexus of childlike wonder and the terrors of the id. In other words, the perfect fairy tale that is about much more than the magical creatures
02/13/08
Spiderwick is set in the present, but goes for an overall design look of dainty, cozy, William Morris-y arts-and-craftiness.
02/13/08
Director Mark Waters keeps Spiderwick moving like crazy, which frees it from the overblown quality that bogs down some of these fantasy epics.
02/13/08
After conquering the teenage girl market with Lindsay Lohan's Freaky Friday and Mean Girls, director Mark Waters turns to teenage boy fantasy (and potential franchise)...and proves quite adept at handling large scale special effects without
02/13/08
Be warned, parents, that younger children, under age seven, may have a problem with the often scary creatures that inhabit the Spiderwick world. Older kids, teens and adults, though, will have a good and entertaining time.
02/13/08
As movie fantasies go, The Spiderwick Chronicles has a modest, almost ramshackle aggressiveness that, against all odds, manages to enchant, if not exactly transport.
02/13/08
Its simplistic and occasionally juvenile plot is at odds with its more mature subject matter. The Spiderwick Chronicles is flashy and diverting, but also ultimately insubstantial.
02/13/08
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