Spiderwick Chronicles: Avoid This Film At All Costs

By Broadside Correspondent Ross Bonaime

Ever since the worldwide takeover by J.K. Rowling and the Harry Potter series, various book series have tried to replace its success in books and films. Following the releases of several other book-to-film adaptations like The Golden Compass and The Water Horse, comes The Spiderwick Chronicles, based on the book series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi.

The film follows the Grace family as they move into their great aunt’s house after their father leaves the family. Helen Grace, the mother, played by Mary-Louise Parker (Saved! and Showtime’s “Weeds”) leads her two sons and daughter to the new house and a new life. Freddie Highmore (August Rush, Finding Neverland) does double-duty as twin brothers, the rebellious Jared and the studious, reserved Simon. Jared finds a tome of a mysterious world around him written by his great-great-uncle, Arthur Spiderwick, played by David Strathairn (Good Night and Good Luck, The Bourne Ultimatum). Even after being warned, Jared opens the book, known as The Spiderwick Chronicles, and his whole world is thrown into danger. With the help of his brother and sister, Jared must attempt to protect his family and his new home from the unusual world around him. Unfortunately, the world around them and the creatures in said world are neither interesting nor entertaining.

The Spiderwick Chronicles attempts to mimic several different films in order to please the audience. There are signs of influence from films like Bridge to Terebithia, Lady in the Water, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and, of course, Harry Potter. In fact, it even steals many creatures and ideas directly from Harry Potter, including one scene directly, shot-for-shot taken from Prisoner of Azkaban. It blatantly steals other films’ ideas and loses almost all originality.

Most films like this attempt to make an enthralling mythology, but they end up being too convoluted and confusing by the end. This film is no different. The audience is thrown into a world where tomato sauce and salt can be used as weapons against ogres and trolls with no offered explanation, and characters with names like Mulgarath are expected to make imaginations run wild. Even the good characters are unlikable. These characters end up being disgusting and deceptive, even though the audience is supposed to like them. They are constantly throwing tantrums or spitting on people, and it makes every appearance tiresome.

Freddie Highmore is awkward in both his roles and seems to be out of place. Highmore can do better than this as proved in the past. The actor, who was amazing in Finding Neverland, is absent while reciting this script plastically. Mary-Louise Parker is disposable and misused as the daft parent that has become all too common stereotype in films like this. She is rarely used and it is a shame that this Golden Globe and Emmy award winner has to stand back and be useless for most of the film. David Strathairn is laughable as the title character and seems to be in it only for the paycheck. With such great actors, it is a shame that the script does not flatter them and only makes them look bad.

Director Mark Waters is used to directing lighter films, like Mean Girls and the Freaky Friday remake, where he is able to be playful and fun. He ends up directing an almost darker Zathura-like film that, unfortunately, does not play to his strengths as a director.

When the film attempts to be serious and scary, it becomes unintentionally funny and just plain stupid. The acting and script are mediocre, at best, and disappointing on every level. The Spiderwick Chronicles is too unusual and weird for kids to enjoy, yet too dumb for adults. The Spiderwick Chronicles is a film that, like the world around the Grace family, is best if it is just avoided altogether.