| |
 |
|
|
|
| The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) |
| Cast: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright |
| Running Time: 101 minutes |
The Plot:
From the very moment that the Grace family pulls into their new home, strange things begin to happen. Itching to know the reason behind the awkward occurrences; Jared decides to investigate. His searching results in the discovery of Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide, a book that reveals the truth of the Spiderwick Estate. You see, the estate is surrounded by goblins and other fantasy creatures who will stop at nothing to gain access to the book. Now it is up to Jared, his twin brother and their sister to protect the book and rid the land of those who plan to use the secrets for harm. |
|
The Movie:
As the film opens up, audience members are introduced to the Grace family. Recently divorced, Helen Grace is moving her family away from their cheating father and into an abandoned family mansion. However, upon discovery of a magic eyepiece, the seemingly innocent mansion turns into a living nightmare.
From the beginning, I have to admit that the film didn't really appeal to me. Containing a slew of goblins and other mystical creatures, the plot seemed to favor the young and looked like it would lose me within the first twenty minutes. Luckily, I was wrong.
Though the plot is meant to be comprehended by the younger audience, the special effects and story morals were appealing to audiences of all ages, entertaining everyone watching and providing a great adventure for the entire family.
Though I was not impressed with the performance by Freddie Highmore (Jared and his twin brother Simon; however, it didn't stop me from enjoying the film as a whole. In fact, the acting was the last thing on my mind throughout the entire feature as the special effects of the fantasy world quickly took over, creating an interesting and fast paced story that not only catches your eye but keeps your attention throughout. |
|
The Extras:
Spiderwick: It's All True (7:04): Here, the writers of the book in which the film was based reveal how the story came to be. The story will probably shock you as it actually came from letters that were written in by kids who said that they had experienced all the occurrences within the film.
It's A Spiderwick World (8:44): This feature divulges into Spiderwick world. Dealing with the difficulties in coming up with the right names, looks and sets, you really get to see just how much went into creating both the story and the characters.
Spiderwick: Meet the Clan (13:54): Showcasing all of the actors, 'Meet the Clan' examines how they transformed into their screen characters. Interesting, especially if you are a fan of the actors.
Making Spiderwick (20:53): This segment examines the elaborate sets and scenery that went into bringing the words on the pages to life. Though a little slow and boring, it will easily entertain those that enjoy set design, visuals and the books.
Deleted Scenes (8:14): Featuring four scenes that never made it into the final film, this 'deleted scenes' segment is decent, but unfortunately doesn't possess any new material that would bring anything to the final film. In fact, many look like slightly altered scenes that actually did appear in the final film, making this segment slightly pointless. |
|
The Verdict:
While I had very low expectations for this film, I have to admit that I was thoroughly impressed with the outcome. Not only did it possess some amazing special effects, but the script was strong and the conclusion was adequate for the premise. Additionally, the cast carried a strong chemistry and the story flowed evenly throughout. Not to mention the mountain of special features that are included on this Blu-Ray disc, making it a must buy for any fan of fantasy or adventure. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| All text, images, logos and data contained within this site remain the sole copyright of CollegeMovieReview.com. All rights reserved and no part or parts herein may be used or reproduced without the express prior consent of CollegeMovieReview.com. |
|
|
