The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) - User Reviews

A forgotten legacy. A hidden world. A broken family down on their luck.

When troubled youth Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore) first moves into what sadly looks like his new home, he is without doubt dead against the idea. It's old and shabby. His brother (also played by Freddie) and sister while also somewhat ambivalent are on the other hand more supportive of their mother, recently divorced, who is trying her best.

Yet Jared soon realises that there is something odd about the place. In his hunt, he finds a secret room which contains a sealed book and a warning not to open it. Like any young man his age, warnings are an invitation. Opening the book marks the beginning of a wild journey into a hidden fantastical land of incredible creatures and dreadful evil.

He must first convince his siblings of the danger they are all in and then set out to find a way to, metaphorically, close the book.

Freddie Highmore, from ‘Finding Neverland’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ amazed by with his dual roll. Jared and Simon are completely different characters and Freddie shines in both rolls. Sarah Bolger, who plays the older sister and trained sword fighter, has a wonderfully swashbuckling character and has a great deal of fun with it.

This movie was an absolute joy to watch, and my daughter agrees. The only down side for me was that with a lot of ground to cover, it did seem a bit rushed at times.

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