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The Spiderwick Chronicles (Widescreen Edition)
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Manufacturer: Paramount
Find all by Paramount
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Theatrical Release: February 14, 2008
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
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Retail Price: $34.98
Online Sale Price: $18.99
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Starring: Freddie Highmore
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
User Submitted The Spiderwick Chronicles (Widescreen Edition) Reviews
September 6, 2008
This is the director's idea of an"American" movie - Extremely bad
The books were wonderful, but the movie was so hard to watch I could barely finish it. The director said he wanted a specifically "American" movie. His idea seems to be screaming bratty kids who can't say a nice word to each other or their mother. A mother who is rude and hateful. The screeching got an my nerves that I was extremely irritated when it was over. I would not recommend this for any kids to watch. An extreme disappointment.
September 4, 2008
Movie: 3.75/5 Picture Quality: 4~5/5 Sound Quality: 4/5 Extras: 4/5
Version: U.S.A / Region Free
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
MPEG-4 AVC BD-50
Running time: 1:35:46
Movie size: 28,352,348,160 bytes
Disc size: 40,970,339,905 bytes
Average video bit rate: 31.03 Mbps
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (48kHz/24-bit) English
DD AC3 5.1 640Kbps French / Spanish
Subtitles: English / English SDH / French / Spanish / Portuguese
#Featurette: "It's All True!" (HD, 7 minutes)
#Featurette: "Meet the Clan!" (HD, 14 minutes)
#Featurette: "Making 'Spiderwick'" (HD, 21 minutes)
#Featurette: "Magic of 'Spiderwick'" (HD, 14 minutes)
#Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guild
#Field Guild: In Movie Mode
#Deleted Scenes (HD, 8 minutes)
#Theatrical Trailers (HD)
#TV Spots (SD)
September 4, 2008
Entertaining and quick moving.
I'd give it 3 1/2 stars, but after reading other reviews I'm not sure I want to read the books. The film could've been a bit longer if for no other reason than to provide explanation for some of the odd happenings. And at first, due to the sibling attitudes, I almost turned it off. I'm glad I didn't though as once things started to go "bump" I was hooked. Good story line, nice acting, graphics, and a solid ending. Before I knew it it was finished and I was left wanting more - perhaps I will read the books.
August 25, 2008
Entertaining!
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!
August 23, 2008
Good for My Kids.
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.
August 22, 2008
One of the Better Recent Juvenile Fantasy adaptations
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.
August 22, 2008
Spiderwick Chronicles
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!
August 8, 2008
The Spiderwick Chronicles Movie
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.
August 8, 2008
A great movie!
This was a great movie all around. Very interesting and exciting and keeps you guessing the whole way through. I loved it! It was so suspensful and imaginative the ideas in here are something new, it's not the same ol been there done that bit. It's highly original. I enjoyed the movie and the ended, it is a wonderful story with a feel good ending. I would recommend everyone in the family to watch this!
August 7, 2008
The Spiderwick Chronicles
I enjoyed the movie VERY much...I'm a 70 year old Harry Potter fan, and this film was not quite as complicated as all the Potter stories, but it was vertainly entertaining. I'm glad I purchased it.
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