The Spiderwick Chronicles

The Spiderwick Chronicles is an adaptation from the books of the same name, not that any child and some parents need to know that. Fans will be presently surprised how faithful the film stays to the books for at least the first half of the film but due to time constraints some adventures will be missed, but the film is great as is so no complaints here.

Cast into the role of twins Jared and Simon Grace is Freddie Highmore (August Rush, The Invisibles) who does a pretty fantastic job discerning the two brothers with differing characteristics. Sarah Bolger (Premonition, Stormbreaker) plays Mallory, not exactly the gothed out fencer we knew form the book but she handles her role well enough. Nick Nolte, I’ve only seen one other time as a fantasy villain (Ang Lee’s The Hulk) pretty much out does himself in this film. He still has that villainous deep voice which really added some menace to his character. Seth Rogan (Knocked Up, Superbad) lends his voice to the cowardly yet enjoyable Hogsqueal. Lastly there was Martin Short who for some reason wound up being a real crowd pleaser, even I was sold on his character of Thimbletack who steals the show whenever he’s on screen.

The animation was decent but not absolutely fantastic but the voice over actors behind the animations really lent some humanity to their counter parts so its not that much of an issue. If your looking to nitpick then your going to find plenty to complain about the fleshing of animation over backgrounds. If your actually watching Spiderwick, one of the best book to film adaptations Nickelodeon has created thus far, then its not going to matter to you.

Its not an absolutely perfect film, there were some scenes were Highmore just doesn’t emote the kind of sentiment his character seemed design to do but its overlookable. Other then that its fine film for all ages and a story with somewhat of a beautiful ending if I am so bold to add in. Definitely not a film you want to miss in theaters. Enjoy.