Plot: What’s it about?
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a fine, family film in the tradition of Harry Potter and The Golden Compass, and like those other franchises, it is based on a beloved series of childrens books. Although I would strongly argue that Philip Pullmans His Dark Materials trilogy (from which The Golden Compass comes) goes far beyond simple good vs. evil childrens fare; that is an argument best suited for another time and place
The basic plotline of The Spiderwick Chronicles goes like this: upon moving into the dilapidated Spiderwick Estate with their mother, Helen (the MILF-tastic Mary-Louise Parker), the Grace children twin brothers Jared and Simon (both played with aplomb by Freddie Highmore) and their sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of fantastical creatures.
Unable to explain the mysterious occurrences that seem to be happening on a daily basis, the family finds a scapegoat in the unruly Jared. When he, Simon, and Mallory stumble upon Arthur Spiderwicks Field Guide and begin to look into whats really going on, they uncover the incredible truth of the Spiderwick Estate and of the creatures that populate it.
In and of itself, the movie is well done, but nothing spectacular, and is carried by the charisma of its two young stars (Highmore and Bolger). There is a broken family sub-plot that just weighs the film down and feels tacked on. In my opinion, those scenes couldve easily been edited out and this wouldve streamlined the fantasy elements of the film, which are, undoubtedly, its best parts.
Video: How does it look?
The video is presented in a 2.35:1, 1080p High Definition transfer. The stylized image chooses a more muted palette as opposed to a hyper-saturated, vibrant one, but it fits the tone of the film. Black levels are deep and solid. The level of detail is good, but could have been brought to that next, eye-popping level. The transfer is free of grain and the print is pristine as well.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio is offered in English 5.1 Dolby Digital TrueHD Surround Sound as well as French/Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound with English/Spanish/French/Portuguese Subtitles. This is a reserved experience that engulfs you in the world. Incredible atmospheric effects bounce around the speakerslittle details that enhance the fantasy. Dialogue is precise and easily understood. The action moments ramp up the energy when necessary, delivering heavy bass and enhancing the sense of urgency. Despite not being the most active track I have heard, it is one of the most balanced and appropriate audio experiences to hit Blu-ray.
Supplements: What are the extras?
Director Mark Waters delivers a deadpan endorsement of the phantasmagoria story. Creators of the original books, writer Holly Black and illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi talk about their own Spiderwick world. Computer artists cover the evolution of character design and execution.
An impressive, informative and affectionate animated book, with a two page spread per creature, is a pictorial encyclopedia of the rara avis, brutes and beasts that reside at Spiderwick.
The requisite how-we-did-it sequence explains the intertwining of computer generated imagery and sets. And videos of the voiceovers show how good actors effect and affect the quality of an animated character.
The conversations with the Spiderwick stars reveal the amazing accomplishment of the young performers: Highmore is English and Bolger is Irish and they somehow can run, fence, act and speak perfect American English at the same time. Maybe in our multifarious modern world, tweeners are evolving into expert multitasking maniacs.
With gusto, my personal crusade for an Academy Award category for the best Extras and Special Features continues with The Spiderwick Chronicles. These mini-productions are a model of enthusiasm, effort and detail. The thorough offerings indulge and inform anyone hankering for more faeried fables and fictitious facts.
