The Spiderwick Chronicles (Widescreen Edition) | 
 enlarge | Actor: Freddie Highmore
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $34.98
Buy Used: $5.88
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Avg. Customer Rating:  76 reviews
Sales Rank: 249
Format: Ac-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 101
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: 343284
UPC: 097363432845
EAN: 0097363432845
ASIN: B0017I04RI
Theatrical Release Date: February 14, 2008
Release Date: June 24, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
A very good adaptation of the popular series of books by Tony DiTerllizi and Holly Black, The Spiderwick Chronicles is one of the few family films in recent years to seamlessly integrate magical elements with a potent drama that will strike a chord with many kids. An exceptionally talented Freddie Highmore (August Rush) plays twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, caught up in a sad shock from their parents' divorce and coping with a decision by their mother (Mary-Louise Parker) to uproot the boys and their sister, Mallory (Sarah Bolger), from New York City to a small town. There, the broken family moves into a spooky old mansion passed on to them by the kids' great-aunt, Lucinda (Joan Plowright), who is spending her twilight years in managed care and whose scientist father, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn), disappeared some 80 years ago. Jared, angry, defiant, and determined to live with the father who seems to have abandoned him, investigates strange happenings and discovers Arthur's secret notations on fairies, ogres, and other mythical creatures that live both in and outside the house. Having no idea where his curiosity is leading, Jared soon finds that he and his family are under siege from goblins and a powerful ogre (Nick Nolte) who wants Arthur's notebook. Suddenly, the boy who is a lightning rod for a troubled family becomes a resourceful warrior intent on saving his loved ones from powerful forces. The Spiderwick Chronicles benefits enormously from a script (partially written by John Sayles) that treats, quite seriously, the emotional pain of its human characters and makes Jared's will to survive the very real engine of an otherwise fantastic story. It helps, too, that director Mark Waters, who brings a warm and knowing touch to outlandish material (Freaky Friday), has a way of making the spectacular elements of The Spiderwick Chronicles genuine enough to stir real excitement and suspense. This is one of the better film adaptations of best-selling fiction for kids in some years. --Tom Keogh
Product Description
From the beloved best-selling series of books comes an extraordinary fantasy adventure revealing the unseen world that exists all around us. From the moment the Grace family moves into a secluded old house peculiar things start to happen. Unable to explain the accidents and strange disappearances the Grace children Jared Simon and Mallory start to investigate and find the unbelievable truth of the Spiderwick Estate and the amazing creatures that inhabit it.System Requirements:Running Time: 101 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: PG UPC: 097363432845 Manufacturer No: 343284
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| Customer Reviews: Read 71 more reviews...
Entertaining! August 25, 2008
Although this movie felt like a knockoff of Harry Potter, I enojyed it!
Freddie Highmore (August Rush) plays twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace who, along with their sister and mother, move to the country to start anew after some major family drama.
When they arrive, Jared is sullen and angry at his mother who he blames for his father bailing on them. But the family drama suddenly takes a backseat when Jared discovers something decidedly "other" is living in the house they inherited from an eccentric old Aunt of their mother's.
When part of the kitchen wall falls down the kids discover a nest in an old dumbwaiter, and when Jared later investigates, he is led to a hidden study of his Aunt's father who died years ago. In it he finds a tome full of gathered information on magical creatures written by his departed great Uncle and, against the dire warnings placed on the outside of the book, he breaks the seal and opens it. A spell is unleashed that leads Jared to discover a magical world full of fairies, goblins and monsters.
One particular monster, THE Ogre of evil Ogres (played by a decidedly ogreish Nick Nolte), is desperate to get his hands on the book, for with the knowledge contained within it, he can destroy the world. Jared, of course, is one smart cookie, and as he and his siblings battle the evil around them, along with the help of a few hapless magical creatures, he not only finds the courage to confront the monsters once thought make believe, but also the ones within himself and within his family.
This movie artfully blends the family drama with magical world crisis without giving up one iota of emotion in either world. I'm really digging Highmore as a child actor and hope to see more from him!
Good for My Kids. August 23, 2008
My kids love this movie and I must say that I enjoyed it as well. It can get a bit scary at times, so I would reccommend it for older children over the age of 8.
One of the Better Recent Juvenile Fantasy adaptations August 22, 2008
The Spiderwick Chronicles is based on a series of popular children's fantasy novels written by Holly Black and Tony Di Terlizzi. The first book premiered in 2003 with four more following in the next two years. The film essentially encompasses the major plot of the five novels although a number of sub-plots and characters are left out and several significant changes were made to streamline the production, such moving the climactic battle from Mulgarath's castle to the Spiderwick estate.
The story centers on the Grace family, twins Jared and Simon, older sister Mallory, and mom Helen, who move into the country estate they inherited from their Aunt Lucinda(Joan Plowright) who is now living in a psychiatric facility. Freddie Highmore plays the roles of Jared and Simon Grace in a remarkable performance. I was convinced that they really were twins as Highmore gives each character a distinct personality and mannerisms. Jared is the agitator and angry with his parents for splitting up and forcing the move to the country. Simon is a thoughtful pacifist and animal lover. Highmore's performance as the twins, as well as the technical aspect of having them onscreen together is flawless.
Jared discovers an old key that opens a truck in the study of Arthur Spiderwick, Lucinda's father. Inside he finds a book, Spiderwick's Field Guide and a note warning not to open the book. Well of course Jared opens the book, unleashing evil forces. Jared meets a Brownie named Thimbletack (voiced by Martin Short) who scolds him for opening the book. He warns him that Mulgarath (Nick Nolte), a shape-shifting ogre, wants the book to unlock its magical secrets and gain dominion over the world. He has a legion of goblins, trolls, and other beasties to aid him. A magical circle protects the house, but Mulgarath has found a way to dispel the enchantment, putting the family in peril. The grace family has to find a way to defeat Mulgarath before he can get his hands on the book.
The Spiderwick Chronicles is an enjoyable film for the whole family and vastly superior to other recent films based on children's/teen fantasy novels, The Golden Compass and Seeker: The Dark is Rising. The Spiderwick Chronicles is geared to kids but could be too intense for young children as some of the monsters, Mulgarath most notably, are quite terrifying. Martin Short is amusing as Thimbletack, the jittery-tempered brownie who can only be calmed by guzzling fresh honey. Seth Rogen provides the voice for Hogsqueal, a Hobgoblin who aids the children.
There is a lot of CGI in Spiderwick that threatens to overwhelm the story when there are dozens of goblins scurrying about and the massive Mulgarath smashing down walls. Still, it has its subtle moments as well with the gentle Sylphs who kidnap Arthur Spiderwick to keep him safe. The tiny fairies look like dandelion fluffs blowing in the wind. The simplicity of the plot also makes it very watchable for kids and probably the reason why so many of the book's subplots were dropped.
 Spiderwick Chronicles August 22, 2008
The movie was great! My five year old's watched it about 30 times since we got it! And I like the fantasy so I don't mind watching it with her! Very Happy!
The Spiderwick Chronicles Movie August 8, 2008
The Spiderwick Chronicles is an excellent film. Well acted, well directed and well written. The story line is creative and engaging. Freddie Highmore is a superb actor and he does a stellar performance here. The special effects are not overwhelming and fix very nicely with the story. If you have kids or are a kid at heart this is a most buy.
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