All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Average User Score: 7 (50 sources)

Submit Movie Review

Review this film

Tell the world what you think of The Spiderwick Chronicles

Your Score:

reset score

Write Your Review:
When writing your review, remember to keep the language clean.

Submit Review Cancel

angela435231

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (0)

In my opinion, terrible movie. This movie gave me a lot of chills throughout the whole movie itself and it just had a boring ending although some effects were neat and awesome but for the whole movie, awful. I mean I'm not uttering that the movie...
[+] Read Full Review

In my opinion, terrible movie. This movie gave me a lot of chills throughout the whole movie itself and it just had a boring ending although some effects were neat and awesome but for the whole movie, awful. I mean I'm not uttering that the movie is dumb or the worst i ever seen in my life it's just awful i mean who will make a movie about a pig's obsession in honey and gets refreshed from it? Just plain rare and strange. The acting was okay but the voices were irritating and lame.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted aug 28, 2009 1:50 am pt

vamp-luvr

-1

Agree (1)

Disagree (0)

Good movie for the family. Took a while to get started and left some questions unanswered. Some funny moments, very realistic in the fantasy world.

Report Abuse

Posted sep 15, 2008 3:04 pm pt

mandytjie

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (0)

I've wanted to see this film for a really long time but unfortunately Stephen wasn't the least bit interested in doing so. He said it was too much of a children's movie! Wow, you'd think we were both in our 30's or something! These days it can be...
[+] Read Full Review

I've wanted to see this film for a really long time but unfortunately Stephen wasn't the least bit interested in doing so. He said it was too much of a children's movie! Wow, you'd think we were both in our 30's or something! These days it can be hard for a good children's fantasy film or story to succeed because inevitably they are compared to Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. I believe that the more original, imaginative stories the better as it enables children's imaginations to grow and it keeps magic in the world.

Spiderwick Chronicles is both inventive and fantastical and the visual effects were very good. I thought Freddie Highmore did a great job of acting the parts of both Jared and Simon Grace and I believe he is an actor to watch in the future. (You may remember he played Peter in Finding Neverland and Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). All in all, I really enjoyed this film and even jumped out of my skin once or twice and squealed. I'd recommend this film to all lovers of children's fantasy and adventure stories.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted aug 24, 2008 5:45 am pt

diyari

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (0)

a good movie,I liked it.it have very good special effects and the graphics are so very good even in some places it makes you amaized...

Report Abuse

Posted aug 2, 2008 6:12 am pt

Oceanic_815_

-1

Agree (1)

Disagree (1)

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a nifty little kid's film that parents alike may find enjoyable. The film is based on a pretty good series of books, each only 100-150 pages long. The five books in the series were divided into one film, but it didn't...
[+] Read Full Review

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a nifty little kid's film that parents alike may find enjoyable. The film is based on a pretty good series of books, each only 100-150 pages long. The five books in the series were divided into one film, but it didn't make the same mistake as A Series of Unfortunate Events, that movie clogged three films into an hour and a half. This mostly takes the basic story and makes it into one day of adventure for Jared, Simon, and Malorie Grace. After moving in with their mom to the old run down Spiderwick estate, owned by their great great aunt, the three youngsters discover that there are magical creatures all around them. The "goblins" and "ogres" in this film aren't scary at all, and are just annoying ugly creatures, but I suppose that's good since this is just a kid's storybook fairytale film. Nick Nolte is more just like a cameo in this film, he's only in it for a few minutes, he plays the supposedly scary Mulgrath. Mary Louise Parker is pretty good here as the mom and David Straithan is impressive as Arthur Spiderwick. The "kryptonite" to these goblins is pretty stupid, what happened to silver bullets. Even with the large amount of tomatoe sauce in this movie, it's pretty good and parents will probably be able to stand it, and the kids will have a good time, so why not?

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted jul 14, 2008 10:25 am pt

level2460

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (4)

SIMPLY SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Report Abuse

Posted jul 12, 2008 9:19 am pt

sheep233

-1

Agree (1)

Disagree (2)

A horrible stream of screams, howls, stabs, and disgusting creatures that add up to almost nothing. The boy isn't believable. A lot of times it's boring, and everything else is just humorless and annoying.

Report Abuse

Posted jul 7, 2008 4:42 am pt

BrookllynBoy94

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (1)

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a nifty little kid's film that parents alike may find enjoyable. The film is based on a pretty good series of books, each only 100-150 pages long. The five books in the series were divided into one film, but it didn't...
[+] Read Full Review

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a nifty little kid's film that parents alike may find enjoyable. The film is based on a pretty good series of books, each only 100-150 pages long. The five books in the series were divided into one film, but it didn't make the same mistake as A Series of Unfortunate Events, that movie clogged three films into an hour and a half. This mostly takes the basic story and makes it into one day of adventure for Jared, Simon, and Malorie Grace. After moving in with their mom to the old run down Spiderwick estate, owned by their great great aunt, the three youngsters discover that there are magical creatures all around them. The "goblins" and "ogres" in this film aren't scary at all, and are just annoying ugly creatures, but I suppose that's good since this is just a kid's stroybook fairytale film. Nick Nolte is more just like a cameo in this film, he's only in it for a few minutes, he plays the supposedly scary Mulgrath. Mary Louise Parker is pretty good here as the mom and David Straithan is impressive as Arthur Spiderwick. The "kryptonite" to these goblins is pretty stupid, what happened to silver bullets. Even with the large ammount of tomatoe sauce in this movie, it's pretty good and parents will propably be able to stand it, and the kids will have a good time, so why not?

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted jun 13, 2008 1:25 pm pt

sonicboom713

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (1)

Spiderwick Chronicles Offers a Mixed Bag of Family Fun

By Patrick Hickey Jr.

Over the past decade, the big wigs in Hollywood have decided to make a multifarious amount of family-oriented fantasy films. However, despite...
[+] Read Full Review

Spiderwick Chronicles Offers a Mixed Bag of Family Fun

By Patrick Hickey Jr.

Over the past decade, the big wigs in Hollywood have decided to make a multifarious amount of family-oriented fantasy films. However, despite the legion of films released within this new genre, most of them revel in mediocrity. For every “Chronicles of Narnia,� and “ Lemony Snicket� out there, there are dozens more that can’t cut the cinematic mustard.

Let’s just say that “The Spiderwick Chronicles,� directed by Mark Waters [“Mean Girls,� “Freaky Friday�] isn’t the type of film that is comparable to the upper-echelon films of the genre, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t an enjoyable 97-minute experience for some people.

Starring Freddie Highmore [“Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, “The Golden Compass] in a double-role as twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, “The Spiderwick Chronicles,� has plenty of things going for it, like a colorful cast of characters and solid special effects, they just aren’t in a large enough quantity to make you want to jump for joy.

For instance, the magical land the no one else can see in the film is an extremely colorful one. The whole idea [which is based on the book written by Holly Black] is an excellent one as well, but it’s not developed as much as a great film should be. There simply isn’t enough interaction between the rest of the world and the evil forces to make the movie-goer think that the threat being fought against is a serious one. You never get the feeling that the world really depends on the actions of Jared, Simon and their older sister, Mallory, played by Sarah Bolger [“Premonition,� “Tara Road�]. Instead, you can’t fight the feeling that everything is going to end up okay. Not exactly the right frame of mind to be in when watching a fantasy film.

The performance of Nick Nolte [“Hulk,� “Hotel Rwanda�] as the voice of the main baddy, Mulgarath, doesn’t do much to amplify the strong points of the film either. For a mystical being that is supposed to be leading a global coupe-de-tat, Mulgarath isn’t too intimidating. While his role in the film isn’t as important as Highmore’s or Bolger’s, having an impressive villain could have been the thing that got this film over the proverbial two-star hump it got itself in.

Unfortunately, the entire plot and story arc have similar problems as well. The film concludes with all the ends being tied up in a pretty little bow and doesn’t really leave anything for the imagination. Considering the fact that the whole object of a film such as this is to extend disbelief, always knowing that everything is going to be all right isn’t a good one. However, despite its lack of depth and story polish, “The Spiderwick Chronicles� has enough charming, witty and endearing parts in it that young children will beg to see it again and again. Adults however, will be satisfied with one viewing and will be left pondering what could have been, rather than accepting the film for what it really is: average, with promise.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted apr 3, 2008 2:09 am pt

sonicboom713

-1

Agree (0)

Disagree (1)

Spiderwick Chronicles Offers a Mixed Bag of Family Fun

By Patrick Hickey Jr.

Over the past decade, the big wigs in Hollywood have decided to make a multifarious amount of family-oriented fantasy films. However, despite...
[+] Read Full Review

Spiderwick Chronicles Offers a Mixed Bag of Family Fun

By Patrick Hickey Jr.

Over the past decade, the big wigs in Hollywood have decided to make a multifarious amount of family-oriented fantasy films. However, despite the legion of films released within this new genre, most of them revel in mediocrity. For every “Chronicles of Narnia,� and “ Lemony Snicket� out there, there are dozens more that can’t cut the cinematic mustard.

Let’s just say that “The Spiderwick Chronicles,� directed by Mark Waters [“Mean Girls,� “Freaky Friday�] isn’t the type of film that is comparable to the upper-echelon films of the genre, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t an enjoyable 97-minute experience for some people.

Starring Freddie Highmore [“Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, “The Golden Compass] in a double-role as twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, “The Spiderwick Chronicles,� has plenty of things going for it, like a colorful cast of characters and solid special effects, they just aren’t in a large enough quantity to make you want to jump for joy.

For instance, the magical land the no one else can see in the film is an extremely colorful one. The whole idea [which is based on the book written by Holly Black] is an excellent one as well, but it’s not developed as much as a great film should be. There simply isn’t enough interaction between the rest of the world and the evil forces to make the movie-goer think that the threat being fought against is a serious one. You never get the feeling that the world really depends on the actions of Jared, Simon and their older sister, Mallory, played by Sarah Bolger [“Premonition,� “Tara Road�]. Instead, you can’t fight the feeling that everything is going to end up okay. Not exactly the right frame of mind to be in when watching a fantasy film.

The performance of Nick Nolte [“Hulk,� “Hotel Rwanda�] as the voice of the main baddy, Mulgarath, doesn’t do much to amplify the strong points of the film either. For a mystical being that is supposed to be leading a global coupe-de-tat, Mulgarath isn’t too intimidating. While his role in the film isn’t as important as Highmore’s or Bolger’s, having an impressive villain could have been the thing that got this film over the proverbial two-star hump it got itself in.

Unfortunately, the entire plot and story arc have similar problems as well. The film concludes with all the ends being tied up in a pretty little bow and doesn’t really leave anything for the imagination. Considering the fact that the whole object of a film such as this is to extend disbelief, always knowing that everything is going to be all right isn’t a good one. However, despite its lack of depth and story polish, “The Spiderwick Chronicles� has enough charming, witty and endearing parts in it that young children will beg to see it again and again. Adults however, will be satisfied with one viewing and will be left pondering what could have been, rather than accepting the film for what it really is: average, with promise.

[-] Minimize Review

Report Abuse

Posted apr 3, 2008 2:09 am pt

• [+] Christian Science Monitor
  
  91
  Director Mark Waters does a fine job meshing the fantastical with the quotidian.

  by Peter Rainer | Read Full Review »
• [+] Chicago Sun-Times
  
  88
  A well-crafted family thriller that is truly scary and doesn't wimp out.

  by Roger Ebert | Read Full Review »
• [+] Philadelphia Inquirer
  
  75
  The film underscores the power of reading, and applying what we read to problem-solving. The story suggests that we don't really see the natural world around us, and if we did our lives, like Jared's and his siblings', would be immeasurably richer.

  by Carrie Rickey | Read Full Review »
• [+] ReelViews
  
  75
  Not great fantasy, but it's on more solid ground than "The Golden Compass" and will seem less baffling to some. There's enough here to keep adults engaged, which is an important component of any motion picture that wants to be known as "family entertainment."

  by James Berardinelli | Read Full Review »
• [+] Chicago Tribune
  
  75
  A fast-moving adventure with more than dynamic glitz to recommend it.

  by Tasha Robinson | Read Full Review »
• [+] San Francisco Chronicle
  
  75
  A mostly superb cast, superior special effects, a sparkling musical score and a fantasy-filled plot .

  by David Wiegand | Read Full Review »
• [+] Miami Herald
  
  75
  The movie is funny and scary and touching in all the ways the best children's pictures are, but it is also fast and compact, running a perfectly paced 93 minutes (including credits).

  by Rene Rodriguez | Read Full Review »
• [+] Time
  
  70
  A decent entertainment -- not up there with the "Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings" sagas, but a notch above "The Golden Compass" and "Narnia."

  by Richard Corliss | Read Full Review »
• [+] Chicago Reader
  
  70
  Meticulously rendered CGI creatures--from Arthur Rackham-esque flower sprites to a troll that could have sprung from "Jurassic Park"--spike this dark adventure, shot marvelously by Caleb Deschanel.

  by Andrea Gronvall | Read Full Review »
• [+] Wall Street Journal
  
  70
  The children's real world, or what passes for real in a fantasy, could hardly be more inviting, for reasons that are hardly mysterious: the strong performances, under Mark Waters's accomplished direction; the smart, bright language, much of it taken from the books; the stylish cinematography, by Caleb Deschanel.

  by Joe Morgenstern | Read Full Review »
• [+] Village Voice
  
  70
  The movie's richly autumnal look is by swift turns cozily naturalistic and terrifyingly baroque, and director Mark Waters (Freaky Friday, Mean Girls) sustains the balance between real and surreal with mischievous brio.

  by Ella Taylor | Read Full Review »
• [+] The Hollywood Reporter
  
  70
  An enjoyable adventure fantasy that pushes all the requisite buttons while still managing to throw in a pleasant surprise or two.

  by Michael Rechtshaffen | Read Full Review »
• [+] Variety
  
  70
  A work of both modest enchantment and enchanting modesty, grounded in a classically Spielbergian realm where childlike wonderment crosses paths with the tough realities of young adulthood.

  by Justin Chang | Read Full Review »
• [+] Los Angeles Times
  
  70
  Suffers slightly from that not-so-fresh feeling.

  by Carina Chocano | Read Full Review »
• [+] Entertainment Weekly
  
  67
  Spiderwick is set in the present, but goes for an overall design look of dainty, cozy, William Morris-y arts-andcraftiness.

  by Lisa Schwarzbaum | Read Full Review »