The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

Director:

Mark Waters

Writers (WGA):

Karey Kirkpatrick (screenplay) and
David Berenbaum (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

14 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Their World Is Closer Than You Think

Plot:

Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.

Plot Keywords:

Salt | Siblings | Dual Role | Children | Dysfunctional Family

US Showtimes:

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Cast

Freddie Highmore	...	Jared Grace / Simon Grace
Sarah Bolger	...	Mallory Grace
Nick Nolte	...	Mulgarath
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Helen Grace
Joan Plowright	...	Aunt Lucinda Spiderwick
David Strathairn	...	Arthur Spiderwick
Seth Rogen	...	Hogsqueal (voice)
Jordy Benattar	...	Young Lucinda
Martin Short	...	Thimbletack (voice)
Andrew McCarthy	...	Richard Grace
Tod Fennell	...	Helen's Co-Worker
Mariah Inger	...	Nurse
Jeremy Lavalley	...	Tow Truck Driver
Lise Durocher-Viens	...	Mrs. Spiderwick
Tyler Patrick Jones	...	Additional Performer

Also Known As:

The Spiderwick Chronicles: The IMAX Experience (USA) (IMAX version)

MPAA:

Rated PG for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements.

Runtime:

107 min (unrated version) | USA:97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Sonics-DDP (IMAX version) | Dolby Digital | SDDS | DTS

Certification:

UK:PG | Finland:K-11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Ontario) | Norway:11 | Germany:6 | Canada:G (Manitoba/Quebec) | Malaysia:U | Ireland:PG | Sweden:11 | Australia:PG | Argentina:Atp | South Korea:All | Portugal:M/12 | Peru:PT | Netherlands:6 | Singapore:PG | USA:PG (certificate #43900) | South Africa:10M | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud)

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Kennedy/Marshall Company, The

Trivia:

Film prints were shipped to some theaters under the fake title -- "Widow".

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Mallory and Jared are fighting at the beginning, Jared can be clearly seen to mouth Mallory's words.

Quotes:

Hogsqueal: Bird!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: (2008-02-16)" (2008)

Their World Is Closer Than You Think

Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.

I've made up a theory: People who have read books that are turned into movies will be more harsh to judge the films unlike people who see movies without reading the book. I think this theory is right. I was disappointed by Harry Potter 5 at first, but watching it now for a year later and nearly forgetting about the book, I found it the best in the series.

The same might as well go with this film. I was disappointed. If you don't know, this film is based on 5 books. However, the movie ignores the 4th book, which is probably because of budget issues and/or limited running time. Still, I can't help but complain. There could've been more creative production designs to see, more action, and more magical creatures.

Apart from that, I felt that the film was well put together, especially the fact that they skipped a lot in the books. The special effects are very good, as well as the action scenes. I also may feel this film pushed the PG rating. It certainly is not as intense as Harry Potter 3 but there might be about 2 to 3 scenes that could make this film a PG-13 rating.

The performances here are decent, although not captivating. The film may be a bit fast paced, if you asked me. Overall, this is a decent adaption to another fantasy book. If you have read the books, you might be disappointed. If you have not, enjoy it.