THEIR WORLD IS CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.Ā
Helen Grace (Mary-Louise Parker) moves with her children to the Spiderwick Estate in New England, where her twin sons (Freddie Highmore) soon discover that strange creatures wage a constant battle against even stranger, malevolent beings. Many fans of the popular books seemed to appreciate this screen adaptation; it is good entertainment (albeit scary for younger kids), but parents are more likely to note all the similarities to predecessors like The NeverEnding Story (1984). Still, exciting stuff featuring themes that appeal to children in a smart way. The talented Highmore pulls off the challenge of playing twins.
2008-U.S. 97 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed byĀ Mark Waters. Screenplay: John Sayles, Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum. Books: Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black. Music: James Horner. Cast: Freddie Highmore (Jared Grace/Simon Grace), Mary-Louise Parker (Helen Grace), Nick Nolte (Mulgarath), Sarah Bolger, Andrew McCarthy, Joan Plowright… David Strathairn. Voices of Seth Rogen, Martin Short.
