Customer Reviews
Spiderwick Chronicles 
2008-10-12
I really enjoyed this movie, its alot of fun and the quality on this bluray is amazing.
I love it. Highly recommended
spiderwick chronicles 2008-10-12
This was a movie i missed at the cinemas and so i just had to have it. From the moment i opened the blu-ray case i was impressed with the blu-ray disc which was silver and just looked cool to me. I immediately popped it into my player and was suprised with the clarity of this movie in the scenes shot at night, this would be very important as you will discover near the end. The details of the shots at night was impressive and the sound was awesome. The story has a very nice progression and for me a person who's never seen this movie before, i was just captivated by the special effects and the shots of the scenery, not sure if those were special effects or real shots. I do not want to spoil this movie for people who haven't seen it so all I can say is this is a movie for all ages and its suprisingly very well told and directed. A must buy for those who have seen it and those who missed it.
Kids movies 
2008-10-05
Inventive, moves well, but is a bit too fanciful for my taste yet should appeal to the young. A good movie for the kids during Halloween. For me it was yet nother fantasy world vs reality flick that required me to invest my emotions in someone elses 'what if' world, (where magic and fantastical creatures are the norm), if I am to gleen any shred of enjoyment from veiwing the movie.
As I said , great for the kids especially at Halloween considering the movie is full of cute, (mostly), goblin like creatures. There is redemption at the end however that gives some closure, a quality sadly lacking in the Lemony Snickets movie. This is really a good thing since the movie isn't good enough to engender a part 2, (but then, niether is Lemony Snickets).
Freddie does twins 
2008-09-28
Another fantasy movie starring white kids; seems that Hollywood is running out of ideas. Luckily this movie makes up with great execution and original special effects. I have never read the book that inspired this movie, but it must be good.
The storyline is simple enough, a divorced mother takes her twin sons and daughter to a house in the countryside that was owned by her aunt. There, the children discover a world of creatures of various shades of friendliness. Some of these creatures want to obtain a book from the country house, and this quest for the book, called The Spiderwick Chronicles, is the chief conflict of the movie. Its resolution is quite original and probably the best part of the movie.
Here are some things to look out for. First is the great acting by David Straithan, in his first fantasy role. Second is Nick Nolte's casting as the chief antagonist. His voice is perfectly suited to his character. And last is the twins played by Freddie Highmore. He pulls of both quite well and makes each a distinct character. Overall, a nice use of 2 hours.
Fun and exciting movie.... don't need to read the book(s) to enjoy! 2008-09-23
First off I have never read any of the Spiderwick books and sometimes when that's the case the movie doesn't make as much sense if you haven't read the books (such as Goldman Compass and Harry Potter). You don't need to read the books to enjoy and understand this movie.
They did a wonderful job explaining everything. The acting was good, the graphics, special effects etc were wonderful and the action and plot were top notch. Just a well done fun fantasy movie for the entire family. (assuming the entire family is at least seven or eight years of age)This movie might be a little scarry for kids under the age of eight but besides the "scarry" parts there are no bad parts for your children.
Great job...... I hope they do a second movie.
Pass the Salt, Please. 2008-09-23
From the beloved best-selling series of books comes an extraordinary fantasy adventure revealing the unseen world that exists all around us. From the moment the Grace family moves into a secluded old house peculiar things start to happen. Unable to explain the accidents and strange disappearances the Grace children Jared Simon and Mallory start to investigate and find the unbelievable truth of the Spiderwick Estate and the amazing creatures that inhabit it.System Requirements:Running Time: 101 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: PG UPC: 097363432845 Manufacturer No: 343284
A Great Movie 2008-09-21
I have to say that I was generally surprised by this film as, although I'm not much of a Freddie Highmore fan I've seen most of and liked most of his movies. Spiderwick Chronicles I expected to be bad but I was again surprised and shouted "DAMN IT!" as I liked another one of his films. I so want to hate Highmores films but again and again he constantly gives us something great. I think it's time I get over my hate filled feelings and just say, "OK he's awesome, I admit it." Even doing an American accent when he's definitively upper class British is great, and he even plays two roles which, damn him he still manages to pull off brilliantly.
Twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace (Highmore) along with their sister Mallory discover a book, an encyclopedia if you will of goblins, fairies and other mythical creatures. They go unseen by the naked human eye but exist in a magical hidden world. The goblins are after this book as it contains mystical powers, which will help their leader Mulgarath become even more powerful. Their house is surrounded by an invisible field which keeps the goblins out, but now they are aware the book is in the house, Mulgarath and the goblins set out on a mission to get the book at all costs. In order to stop it, Jared, Shane and Mallory must find Arthur Spiderwick and have him destroy the book. The only problem is, Arthur wrote the book over 80 years ago and hasn't been seen since.
This is a genuinely magical film that will put off some casual movie goers expecting more. The use of special effects is authentic and unflinching with the interaction between the invisible creatures and the human characters seems shockingly real. The real genuine shock of it all is the interaction between the two Highmores. This was a genuinely unexpected item in the film and is no doubt something that will have pushed Highmores acting ability further. The evil Mulgarath goes relatively unseen until the final scene in the film, but is something that wont disappoint if you're expecting a truly scary looking creature.
One criticism I think I do have to point out is the cliché of the start of the film. It's very much like every fantasy film we've all seen, the main character discovers something magical and dangerous and tries to convince those around him what he's discovered. Guess what, they don't believe him until they themselves are attacked by the hideous creatures. It does counter this cliché when it becomes the film about closeness of family and banding together to fight the greater evil.
Great movie though, and is something that can be enjoyed by many film fans including the kids.
Made me happy 2008-09-20
I enjoyed the movie. Some complained that it didn't follow the book. Few movies do. The thing to do is watch the flick and then read the book if you like the movie. Probably won't read the book anyway.
Worth the $4 rental. Maybe too intense for young kid and neonates. But for 60 year old guys and only ran out of the room screaming once.
Could be a series 2008-09-15
I know that there are more books to this story, and I really think they could be a great series.Great entertainment for the whole family. A must see.
Charming AND suspenseful! 2008-09-12
I loved the books, and the film is first-rate, both technically and in brilliant casting. Freddie Highmore has to be the best juvenile actor in decades, and Joan Plowright, David Strathairn, and Mary Louise Parker always add polish and professionalism to anything they touch. This film is a winner both for young viewers and for any of us older film fans who still love magic and mystery.
