While I have read all 5 novels plus the first sequel novel I must admit I'm not a big fan of the books. I like their idea but the cost is too much for so little content but this movie looked great to me. I love fantasy films though so this might be a little biased.
Jared, his twin brother and their sister Malory move into an old Gothic Victorian house after their parents split up. Their mother solves everything by yelling. Jared loves his father more and wants to live with him but his brother and sister are on his mothers side for some reason.
Jared acts like Harry Potter did in the 5th novel. A very angsty child and he has a damn good reason to and it feels realistic this way and it isn't as painful as the Potter moments in the 5th book (thank god the 5th potter film toned it down.
Well anyway, Jared stumbles upon a book called Arther Spiderwicks Guide to the something or other. Anyway, he opens the book and now the goblin lord Margarth wants it so he can rid the world of all the other fantastical creatures.
Jared and his twin are played by Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory) and while I like him as a child star I have to say this role was beyond what he can do right now. By playing polar opposite characters he strives to be different via facial expressions as well and it brings it just a little over the top in the earlier scenes but once Jared calms down some it becoems a lot smoother.
Rest of the cast does a fine job and Martin Short and Seth Rogen provide voices for Thimbletack and Hogsqueel. Both bringing some amusing lines to an otherwise grim tale.
Fans be warned though because this is all 5 novels (about 600 pages total) combined into 98 minutes. It follows the beginning of the story rather well with a few add ins for the changes later but a lot has been altered and removed. The elves no longer exist so that entire plot point is altered, the doppleganger has been removed and the entire final novel has been changed.
But that's the strong point for the film. It makes more sense this way as the characters are forced to stay within the house so there is no fencing tournament like in the third book. The ending also feels more fun and has a really good climax for once.
Spiderwick won't please everyone but I was entertained by it. The visuals are great, the plot is pretty good and it's just a lot fun which is all that matters. parents should know the films features an almost S word which felt out of place for some reason.
Entertainment Value - ****/5
Movie: **** / 5
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