The Spiderwick Chronicles

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” does not have the magic and wonder of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or the Harry Potter series, but it is an engaging enough movie. There are plenty of fairies, goblins, a hobgoblin, a troll and an ogre. Helen Grace (Mary-Louise Parker) has left her husband and moved her three children – Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and twins Jared and Simon (both played by Freddie Highmore) – to the Spiderwick Estate, an old mansion Helen inherited from her aunt, Lucinda (Joan Plowright). Eighty years ago, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn) wrote a Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You and unknowingly unleashed some terrible forces. Now, an army of goblins, led by the ogre Mulgrath (Nick Nolte) is preparing to steal the book and dominate the world. Only the Grace children stand in Mulgrath’s path. The acting is not the reason to see this film: the kids are adequate and the voice work by Martin Short (as Thimbletack) and Seth Rogan (Hogsqueal) are unremarkable. This CGI-heavy movie presents the evil goblins, troll and ogre as deformed reptiles, replete with menacing grins and sharp teeth, perhaps too intense for the very young. Unfortunately, the McDonald’s happy meal (with “Spiderwick Chronicles” toy included) appeal to a young crowd. The Spiderwick Chronicles books are recommended for ages 7 and up and that seems about right for the movie. (2/28/08)