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When I was just a little boy my favorite fantasy adventure film that time was The Neverending Story. I enjoyed it so much because of the juxtaposition plot, fascinating creatures and the book has something to do with the magical journey. It is still my favorite until the Spiderwick Chronicles arrived in IMAX. This is so far the best I've ever seen in my entire life on Valentines Day. The film reminds me of my childhood “wicked” days in the province.
Book to film adaptation is sometimes suicidal in Hollywood. Book fans may despise or love the big screen version but don't worry Spiderwick fans coz this is different! This is an outlandish adaptation that you will cherish for years. The totally brought the extraordinary and enchanted beings to life.
From the beloved best-selling series of books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black comes “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” a fantasy adventure for the kid in all of us. Extraordinary things start to happen the moment the Grace family (Jared, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory and their mom) leave New York and move into the privy old house owned by their great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. They are unable to explicate the peculiar disappearances and accidents that seem to be happening everyday and they all blame Jared. When they investigate what’s really going on, they uncover the fantastic truth of the Spiderwick estate and the creatures that inhabit it.
Hats off to the visual effects of the film! It's amazing to see how they immaculately animate Thimbletack the “house brownie and Hogsqueal the Hobgoblin”. These two characters are just lovable. I bet kids will cajole their parents to buy the miniature toys after seeing this film.
Midway, I almost thawed in my seat when the flower fairies were introduced, I love the emotional colors when they are fluttering.
I was also impressed how they make the dangerous goblins, the troll, Mulgarath the evil ogre and the basilisk so scary and hateful. It's a shame to admit that I was covering my mouth watching the chasing scene under the tunnel, the house attack under the full moon is really intense, and of course the wrath of Mulgarath is undeniably suspenseful.
We all love Freddie Highmore in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory and Finding Neverland and he nailed down this time with his amazing acting as the twins without the Brit accent. It's amazing how he lost his accent. He plays Jared the brave one who discovered the book and Simon the nerdy one but determined to overcome danger in the family. Freddie Highmore is really cute and he's growing so fast on becoming a man.
I would like to commend wonderful supporting roles from David Strathairn as Arthur Spiderwick, Joan Plowright as Aunt Lucinda, Sarah Bolger as the older sister Mallory, and Mary Louise Parker for playing their mom in the film.
I think the scene stealer are the voice performances from Martin Short as Thimbletack, Nick Nolte as Mulgarath and of course Seth Rogen as Hogsqueal. I highly admire Hogsqueal's great humor especially when birds are distracting him. It's really side-splitting and everyone in IMAX was laughing so loud.
Aside from the amazing visual effects, the cinematography will astound the viewers as well. Caleb Deschanel's previous job in The Passion of the Christ was eclipsed with his remarkable depiction in Spiderwick Chronicles. It's lovely and really wicked.
I'm just ambivalent about the original score. Academy Award winner James Horner (Titanic) composed the music. I love his previous material especially in “Casper”. There is a track in Casper OST called “The Lighthouse” and I'm very sure that the hook of it was also applied here in Spiderwick. I don't know if he ripped off his own score or maybe he just loved “The Lighthouse” hook so much and channeled it in his new scores .
Listen to the “THE LIGHTHOUSE” and compare.
Director Mark Waters (Mean Girls) brings out enchanting performances from his talented cast, but also creates a whole world of magical creatures in and around the mysterious Spiderwick house. It is a powerful task to make the real fit side-by-side with the surreal, but Waters accomplished it in fantastic style. Moreover, scriptwriters Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum and John Sayles deliver a tense, fast-paced and amazingly true hearted adaptation of the books. You won't be bored I guarantee.
This is a family fantasy film with a “heart” .This is a film that every troubled family can relate. This is a film that the characters can prove to be heroes even without wands, magic and wizards. All they need is a strong bond in the family and valor.
The IMAX experience is just wonderful even if it's not in 3D. Although too scary for very young kids, I believe this is a film that parents and their children will watch endlessly, enjoying its enchantment for many years to come.
RATING: 5 /5 *
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