The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
The general tone of The Spiderwick Chronicles and an admittedly unnecessary scene of griffin-ridding make it clear it was made to capitalize on the Harry Potter craze. Call it an imitator if you want but this is great family entertainment, the kind I could see children cherishing for years.
Following his parents’ divorce, Jared (Freddie Highmore), his twin brother Simon (also Highmore), their older sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) with into a new home with their mother Helen (Mary-Louise Parker). In it, Jared finds an old book which reveals a hidden world of magical creatures all around us: goblins, hobgoblins, fairies, brownies, boggarts and more. The book's re-emergence also draws out the shapeshifting ogre Mulgarath (Nick Nolte), who seeks its power and knowledge.
If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear Freddie Highmore has a twin brother, so good is he in the dual role. It isn’t merely that he’s able to convincingly play his parts when acting against green-screens or computer-generated characters, it’s that he creates two distinct people so convincingly you’re sold on everything happening around him, no matter how fantastical. You kind of give children’s films the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the performances but this is superb stuff. In no time at all you're all in with this story.
The Spiderwick Chronicles can get a little frightening. Nick Nolte on a normal day looks menacing and when surrounded with sharp-toothed goblins, little kids may find this picture too intense. Rather than turn children away, however, I think this will make them appreciate it all the more. How many of your favourite childhood movies featured death, monsters or peril from which - at the time - you didn’t think the heroes could escape from? Adults like horror films and I think deep down children do too… as long as it isn’t too extreme. Director Mark Waters finds the right balance. There’s tension and intense scenes but it’s softened with plenty of humour and much wonder. The creatures Jared learns about in the book? They’re all really cool while also remaining faithful to the legends of old.
The best way to describe this family adventure is “fun”. The kids get to be the stars and tackle a big threat but a quality screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum and John Sayles makes everything feel right. The special effects are great and the characters surprisingly well-developed. The children in this film are not simply precocious little creatures, they’re real human beings with flaws… who are also capable of change. There’s a subplot about the children’s father who I think will strike a cord with many audience members. The way it ties into the film’s overall theme of divulging information or holding it back is excellent but subtle. Well done!
I couldn’t tell you why The Spiderwick Chronicles was only a moderate box-office success. Track it down and show it to your nieces and nephews, or if you’re old enough, watch it with your kids. It’s an overlooked gem for the whole family. (On DVD, February 1, 2019)
