The Spiderwick Chronicles

( 18 )

Overview

Mark S. Waters's adaptation of the popular fantasy novels The Spiderwick Chronicles tells the tale of the Graces, a family who must adapt to their new strange surroundings. As the story begins, twin brothers Jared and Simon, along with their sister Mallory and their mother, move away from the big city to a mansion owned by their uncle. When a series of strange happenings suggest that Jared may be causing a number of disturbances, the siblings band together to figure out what is going on. Soon they discover the ...
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More About This Product

Overview

Mark S. Waters's adaptation of the popular fantasy novels The Spiderwick Chronicles tells the tale of the Graces, a family who must adapt to their new strange surroundings. As the story begins, twin brothers Jared and Simon, along with their sister Mallory and their mother, move away from the big city to a mansion owned by their uncle. When a series of strange happenings suggest that Jared may be causing a number of disturbances, the siblings band together to figure out what is going on. Soon they discover the magical history of the property.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
Freddie Highmore adds to his extensive prepubescent resumé with The Spiderwick Chronicles, an engaging and occasionally touching fantasy that's refreshing for what it isn't: a 21st century Jumanji. Playing twins, the young actor shows veteran maturity by giving them distinct personalities, instead of forcing audiences to differentiate them by the color of their shirts. That Highmore's work takes top billing in this analysis, rather than the film's fantasy world and digital creature effects, is not a slight to that world or those effects -- rather, it explains why The Spiderwick Chronicles is a bit more memorable than other fantasies intended for a tween audience. There's a solid emotional core here, to complement the sprites and goblins that literally come out of the woodwork when Jared Grace disregards the warnings and opens the titular tome. Feeling abandoned by an absent father, Jared carries on a bristling relationship with his mother Mary-Louise Parker, and some genuine anguish passes between their characters. Perhaps this injection of realism can be attributed to indie filmmaker John Sayles, whose surprise screenwriting credit may have something to do with the actor cast to play Arthur Spiderwick: David Strathairn, Sayles' longtime collaborator. Fans of the popular books that inspired the film authored by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi should be pretty happy with the way director Mark S. Waters has visualized the design details of this world. The entries in Spiderwick's Field Guide place the viewer in a willing mythozoological mindset, and the characters that spring forth -- while not drastically different from those seen in other films indebted to J.R.R. Tolkien -- are lively enough to help shape and build the story's mythology. The film's February release may have prevented it from growing into a bigger hit, but The Spiderwick Chronicles is satisfying escapism with a lingering presence.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 1/1/2013
  • UPC: 883929301348
  • Original Release: 2008
  • Source: Paramount Catalog
  • Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  • Language: English, Français, Español
  • Format: Blu-ray
  • Sales rank: 5,946

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Freddie Highmore Jared/Simon
Mary-Louise Parker Helen
Nick Nolte Mulgrath
Sarah Bolger Mallory
Andrew McCarthy Richard
Joan Plowright Aunt Lucinda
David Strathairn Arthur Spiderwick
Seth Rogen Voice Only
Martin Short Voice Only
Izabella Miko
Technical Credits
Mark S. Waters Director
Frédéric Amblard Set Decoration/Design
Steve Barnett Co-producer
David Berenbaum Screenwriter
James D. Bissell Production Designer
Holly Black Executive Producer
Cheryl A. Tkach Associate Producer
Alex Touikan Set Decoration/Design
Lucie Tremblay Set Decoration/Design
Kevin Yagher Makeup Special Effects
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 18 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(10)

4 Star

(5)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(2)

Your Rating:

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Sort by: Showing all of 18 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Disappointing

    Wow, what a ridiculous movie. I thought they'd improve upon the book but a terrible book makes for a boring movie. Stupid melodramatic lines. Waste of money.

    1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A Must-See Again and Again

    My four-year-old grandson was literally glued to the metal railing facing the front-row seats. The movie totally captured his attention. Two little girls besides us could not take the tension and asked their daddy to take them home. So beware it is not for all kids. We saw the movie three times and when I told my grandson I would buy the DVD for him, he said "Awesome, but buy one for you too." I will. If you are looking for a movie that you can totally become a part of, this is it! It is rich with characters, real and made up. Eddie Highmore is proving himself to be an exceptional actor.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Spiderwick Chronicles rocks!

    This is a movie about 3 kids who are moved to New England and find a mysterious book filled with mystical creatures.I think this a great adaptation of the 5 books. Filled with action and adventure, it is a movie/book that all should experience.This has an all-star cast of Freddie Highmore (Jared, Simon Grace), Sarah Bolger (Mallory grace) and Nick Nolte (Mulgarath).

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    Secluded & Strange

    Favorable: intriguing and exciting. Enter a secret world with Jared and his family to see what appear to be strange happenings in this secluded house. Once you start watching you will be drawn into this mythical world and its "strange" creatures. Inside this world there is non-stop suspense, action, and drama to get your heart racing and keep you wondering what will be next. This storyline is well developed with interesting characters; it is great for the family and is filled with plenty of intrigue. Inspired -the DVD inspired me to read each of the Spiderwick Chronicles books and I look forward to the next movie.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
    Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You (Spiderwick Chronicles Series)
    Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - Classroom Edition

    great

    I thought this movie was great. it followed the books pretty well. The acting was amazing and so was the visuals. Freddie Highmore was amazing playing both him and his twin brother. (at first i thought that was someone else and not Freddie Highmore). I loved this movie so much i watched it every night when i got the dvd. I think this would be a great family movie but maybe over 5 year old children should be able to see it because there are some "scary" parts in this movie.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Great movie!

    I love the characters, very well-developed and believable. This movie is funny and exciting. I think this is a movie worth watching!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Spiderwick Chronicles is AMAZING

    Wow. I never really knew what this series was about, and I never read the books before watching the movie. But it didn't matter, because this movie was very cool. It kept me at the edge of my seat every second. This is something I'd recommend to anyone--I swear, you'll want to watch it again and again!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    One of the Decent Movies That Nickelodeon Movies Ever Made!

    Before I watched this, I know that it's going to suck, because most of the Nickelodeon Movies made are bland and they don't make the movie with a good taste. Anyway, the movie was good, but still I think The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and Bridge to Terabithia are better. The movie could've been also better if Disney and Walden made it.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    A reviewer

    Welcome to an extrodinary world right outside your door. In my world, goblins, trolls, and sprites don't exist. But when I saw this movie, it grabbed my mind so much that I believe in them now. This was a movie that kept me on the edge of my seat and my heart racing, literaly. I would bet you anything that if you saw this movie, you would be on the edge of your seat too. Just whatever you do, don't let yourself stay in a world if you can't be happy. Travel to Spiderwick's world, where everything is spectacular. Hopefully, you will enjoy the movie as much as I did, and belive in all these creatures because they are all real. In my mind, they are as real as ice cream to me.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 24, 2011

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 25, 2010

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 27, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 15, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 2, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 27, 2008

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 24, 2009

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  • Anonymous

    Posted November 16, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 10, 2011

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Sort by: Showing all of 18 Customer Reviews