'Spiderwick' offers magical captivating family fun

by Kendra Halsell, staff writer

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” is a creative, magical, and captivating family film.

It is a story, based on the books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, about two twin boys, Simon and Jared, both played by Freddie Highmore, their sister Mallory, played by Sarah Bolger, their mother Helen, played by Mary-Louise Parker, and their great aunt Lucinda and great-great uncle Arthur Spiderwick, played by Joan Plowright and David Strathairn, respectively.

Arthur wrote a book called a field guide to the magical creatures among us. If the field guide falls into the wrong hands, that would mean bad news for everyone. So the book is protected.

We can’t forget the magical creatures. One of the first creatures introduced is a thing called a Brownie/Boggart named Thimbletack, played by Martin Short. Thimbletack starts out as the Brownie, but when he gets mad he turns into an ugly green thing called a Boggart. Just give him a little honey on a cracker and everything will be A-O-K.

There is a pig-looking thing that has two snouts and feeds on birds. But don’t worry, as he is a good guy like Thimbletack. His name is Hogsqueal, played by Seth Roger. The bad creatures are the goblins that are ugly, short, and fat creatures. That can be killed by tomato sauce. The goblins work for Mulgarth, a shape-changing ogre played by Nick Nolte, who wants the field guide.

Those aren’t the only creatures in the movie. There are also little fairy-looking things that resemble flowers called Sprites, and an odd-looking bird-type thing called a Griffin. The Sprites and the Griffin are good. There are also Trolls, which don’t look like we think trolls should look like, as they are big. There is a thing called a Redcap, who is short and fat and has a really ugly face.

This movie takes you to another world. It’s funny, emotional, and suspenseful. I recommend this movie for families with small children. It’s not only enjoyable for children, but it is also enjoyable for adults as well.

This is a must-see family film. I give it five stars.