SCI FI PI

Starring Freddie Highmore, Nick Nolte, David Strathairn, Mary Louise Parker, Martin Short
Director Mark Waters
Released April 3
Rated PG


The worst nightmare that your mother ever had was of you, running about the garden, with a big stick in your hand. But mother's terror was of course the electric lifeblood of your rich fantasy world. And it's this world that the Spiderwick Chronicles explores, the world that only children can see. Holly Black's immensely popular series of five books have been compressed into one film, which will prove a challenge for fans, but for those new to the world of Spiderwick, with a soft spot for 'fairies at the bottom of the garden' this is delightful film.

First off, let's get one thing straight. It's not Narnia, and it's not Bridge to Terabithia. From the get go, it's obvious this is an original, with a fresh take on the faerie realm. David Strathairn is Arthur Spiderwick, and he's something of a field researcher of magical goings on, and he's put all his insights and information gleaned from the faerie realm into his 'Field Guide'. It is such an extraordinary work that even the creatures of the otherworld are interested in the book and its secrets. One such creature is Mulgarath, a rather nasty piece of work played by Nick Nolte.



Looks like trouble! Nick Nolte early in the morning!


Into this story stumble Freddie Highmore and Freddie Highmore as twins Jared and Simon Grace. They and their sister Mallory are the troubled children of Helen Grace, who has gone to the Spiderwick mansion for a 'holiday' from her husband Richard (Andrew McCarthy). The Spiderwick Mansion is, frankly, perfect, when it comes to creepy looking houses. It's dusty, tall, spiky, and filled with secret nooks and crannies.

Soon the kids find that little trinkets go missing, and this leads to a startling discovery that Jared makes, and it is his journey that drags the rest of the family (eventually, and unwillingly) into a life and death struggle with creatures who were hitherto invisible. The details and complexities of gadgets and faerie lore evoke the make-believe games of childhood: this is perhaps the main strength of the film - the authenticity of it is palpable. Also palpable is the deadly danger that the children face. It may be make believe, but this is serious!

That's actually one of the more surprising aspects of the film - there's more than a nod to the world of Indiana Jones here, with breakneck action and death defying stunts. There's also a viciousness to the baddies that belies the PG nature. Amongst the action and adventure for the kids, there's also a parallel theme about the relationship between parents and children, something also tinged with authenticity, giving the film an added depth, and a twinge of pathos.

When it comes to the CG, the monsters and beasties are authentic looking, and Nolte appears in human form to good effect. Trips to the faerie realm are spectacular, and somewhat unnerving - the faeries have their own agenda. Seth Rogen voices a creature to mixed success, but Martin Short as Thumbletack is obviously enjoying his work, as he provides the hub between the humans and the magical world.

There are a couple of quibbles to the film - the fact that the secret lore of the magical realm is not widely known to the magical creatures that inhabit it, and the ending, which begs several questions. That said, these are quibbles in an otherwise immersive romp into the ever fresh and wonderful world of childhood.



Gmabrarckle!