“The Spiderwick Chronicles” (Paramount Pictures)
Not For Little Kids
Freddie Highmore adds another solid performance(s) to his list of outstanding roles with his dual roles in “The Spiderwick Chronicles.” In this film he plays twins and manages to make a distinct impression with each of the roles. The film itself is a jumble of goblin and ogre attacks but Freddie saves the day and to a great extent the film.
Highmore plays Jared and Simon Grace, twin sons of Helen Grace (Mary Louise Parker). They also have a sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger), but no father. The parents are getting a divorce and the children are all with Helen. To save money she moves them into a huge house she inherited. It is a home that quickly becomes a problem. Jared discovers a book written by their ancestor Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn) and as soon as he reads it goblins and ogres start harassing the family.
The major monster is Mulgarath (voiced by Nick Nolte). This is a huge vile looking creature that wants the book and he is willing to kill the Grace family to get it. One of the people who might be able to help the family find a way to thwart the monsters is Lucinda (Joan Plowright). She is the daughter of Arthur Spiderwick and knows of his history fighting the monsters.
The film is a constant battle from the first scenes of the movie until the end. There is a lot of violence involved in all this, even some stabbing of humans. There is also some muttered profanity. The movie is rated PG but that is a very lax rating for a movie with this much adult content. When I saw the film some of the smaller kids were cowering against their parents.
The acting is good, with Highmore, Bolger and Plowright being outstanding. The special effects are seamless and the voice talents of Nolte, Seth Rogen and Martin Short add to the overall effect of the movie.
With so few movies out these days that are suitable for young children, a PG rated film of this sort might be a lure for families. But just be aware that there is profanity and violence in this film and some of the monsters really are scary.
The presence of Freddie Highmore is a plus and the special effects are dazzling, but the movie can’t overcome its shortcomings of just being an overblown monster movie without a lot of logic or entertainment value in it.
I scored “The Spiderwick Chronicles” a frightening 5 out of 10.
