The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Arthur Spiderwick (David Stratharin) spent many years secreting away the hidden world around us. 80 years later, Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore)discovers his great-great uncle’s journal. Opening this field guide of nature’s fantasy world exposes Jared and his siblings, Simon and Mallory to adventure and danger.

With ogres, goblins, griffins and faeries to rival those of any children’s story, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a film to see thanks to great story-telling and solid special effects.

The cast including Mary Louise Parker, Joan Plowright, Nick Nolte, and Martin Short and Seth Rogen in voice roles supply endless possibilites. Freddie Highmore carries the core of this film as twin brothers Jared—the more sullen, angry—and Simon—the bookish, well-adjusted one. Highmore is exceptional, leaving his English accent behind to bring two multi-facted characters to life.

With a story reminiscent of Bridge to Terebithia, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a smart balance of lessons and entertainment. The dark overtones are hardled nicely and the sweetness is never cloying. The film isn’t dumbed down, nor does it feel like mass-produced garbage. As I see it, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a safe family choice and a magical one to boot.