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“The Spiderwick Chronicles” is a dish whose ingredients exist in extraordinarily well-balanced proportions. Blending a family drama rooted in parental divorce with a magical story that bridges the known world with the unknown realm of faeries and goblins, “The Spiderwick Chronicles” has the spirit of “Labyrinth” with the richness and wonder of “Harry Potter.” While it could be argued that there are familiar equations in the plot – the naughty boy who cried wolf struggling to prove himself when there really is a wolf, for example – everything is so seamlessly put together that the feeling is not one of formula, but of refreshing sincerity. It’s as if Brian Froud and Alan Lee’s seminal illustrated book, “Faeries,” had come to life under the title of “Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You.”
A Conundrum
Which brings me to a dilemma. You see, “The Spiderwick Chronicles” commits no grave sins, has no glaring deal-breakers; it’s just all around nice and shiny, a lovely example of how to suspend an audience’s disbelief. While I could, in principle, argue the merits of the film in relationship to any number of fantasy films, there wouldn’t be much point to it. This is a solid film, well-made in all regards, and I’m frankly more tempted to gush about all the things it does right and risk spoiling the experience for the film’s future viewers than I am to indulge an analytical dissection.
Why the Characters Work
With admirable self-containment, the film stands on its own feet, without setting up, requiring, or excluding a sequel. Special effects evoke wonder at a cinematic world in which flowers hide faeries and brownies hide in dusty attic spaces. But above all, it’s the characters that work the most magic. Like “Harry Potter,” there is all manner of creatures and characters to be charmed by, beginning with Thimbletack (voice of Martin Short), a brownie with the comical tendency of transforming, Hulk-like, into a green boggart when angered, and continuing on with the young trio of heroes themselves. Freddie Highmore, demonstrating a mature versatility that should take him well into an adult career, carries the film through a dual role as twins, one angry (Jared), one gentle (Simon). But he doesn’t carry the film alone, as the twin’s big sister Mallory is played by Sarah Bolger with a low-key depth that balances out the fireworks of Jared’s simmering emotions. Truth be told, the entire cast, human and animated, delivers the right stuff.
And the plot? Dealing as it does with an evil ogre’s ambitions of getting his hand’s on Spiderwick’s Field Guide to gain the knowledge that would let him kill the faerie folk and take over the Earth, it’s a terrifically suspenseful tale with plenty of fast-clipped action chills and thrills. Fantasy films have been getting a big boost in the mainstream thanks to the high bar set by films like “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings.” “The Spiderwick Chronicles” easily lives up to the standards they’ve set.
Entertainment Value: ** (out of two)
Technical Quality: ** (out of two)
Star Awarded!
Paramount presents a film directed by Mark Waters. Written by Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum and John Sayles. Based on the books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. Starring Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, David Strathairn, Mary Louise-Parker and Joan Plowright. 96 minutes. Rated PG (for scary creature action and violence, peril and thematic elements).
