The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Good Movie. Not A classic.

I do not know the books. But the movie is well made, It just lacks originality. You get the feeling you saw those things before. I suppose with so many movies around it is hard to be original. However, the movie does hold the viewer interest and has good entertainment value. I wish the fight scenes would have been toned-down to accommodate a wider range of audience.
July 25, 2008

Could've been a contender

This is a good solid piece of film-making. It could have been great story telling but the writing fell disappointingly flat. The ensemble was stellar, but struggled against a so-so script; i.e., a rushed conclusion as if the director and screenplay writer got bored with the project. The movie did well in spite of itself. The SFX were terrific and the gnomes, demons and things that go bump in the night blended into the scenery and dialogue seamlessly.

You won't be disappointed in the movie for popcorn-munching-in-the-living-room entertainment. But if you're a fan of the books, you know the movie has just skimmed the surface of possibilities. Let's hope for another Spiderwick movie with more spirit and heart than its parent-film. In the meantime, keep your salt and tomato sauce handy. July 22, 2008

It almost made it, but not quite.

Never having read the books, & in fact I'd never even heard of them until I started to see the trailers for the movie, I thought 'The grandkids might enjoy this one?'
Even if they did, I felt that there was too much of the tale which had not been told.
Maybe if I did know the story; but then those who have read the book/s complain that it wasn't true to the script either, so it's the old book to film dilemma: what to keep, what to change (however little - or much), & what to leave out completely.
I think that too much was left out, leaving it an incomplete viewing experience for me at least.
Still worth a watch though. July 21, 2008

Fun Film

Spiderwick Chronicles

Going through a divorce, kids missing their father, moving away from friends, Helen Grace has her hands full.

Mallory, Jared and Simon never realize what life has in store for them when their mother moves them into the spooky old mansion of her great-aunt Lucinda.

Jared is a bit rebellious, and Simon is a bit of a nerd. Mallory is the typical older sister, when things happen around the house, she naturally blames her brother. Jared discovers a secret room, with a locked box containing the writings of Arthur Spiderwick. Arthur has been missing for 80 years.

The family and the home are surrounded by creatures that desperately need to get their hands on Arthur Spiderwick's field manual. Will the creatures get the book? Will the family be forced out of their home?

I did not read the books, but I plan to, soon. Based on only watching the movie, with all stars, I enjoyed Spiderwick. It may be scary for younger children.

Jill Vanderwood
Author of the magical adventure book series,
Through the Rug
Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug)
Look for my Through the Rug 2: Follow that Dog
Video trailer on YouTube July 19, 2008

lame lame

this movie sucks its lame and for losers it doesn't follow the book and it skips some of the cool stuff in the book this is so lame and its for losers July 17, 2008

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