Ever since the worldwide takeover of 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). When Jared opens the book, known as The Spiderwick Chronicles, even after being warned, 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 be several different films in order to please the audience. There are obvious signs of influence from films like Bridge to Terebithia, Lady in the Water, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, and of courseHarry 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 lackadaisically steals other films ideas and loses almost all originality. However, it never is able to come close to any of these other films and falls into a realm of bland characters and boring ideas.
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 for no explainable reason and characters with names like Mulgarath are expected to make imaginations run wild. The film is filled with magical creatures made to appeal to children, but fail miserably. Thimbletack and Hogsqueal, voiced by Martin Short and Seth Rogen, respectively, are added to aid the Grace family and entertain then audience. However, 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.
Not only are the creatures unusual and disappointing, but so are the actors. Freddie Highmore is awkward in both his roles and seems to be out of place. Highmore can (and has) do better than this. The actor who amazed in Finding Neverland is absent while reciting this script plastically almost as if he realizes how ridiculous this all sounds. 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 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. The acting from all the actors is cheesy and poorly acted. 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 recent Freaky Friday remake, where he is able to be playful and fun. But with the material he is given, he attempts to make a dark and mysterious world that does not work. The film rarely has a light moment and is forced to be serious and becomes too anxious to even be any fun. He ends up directing an almost darker Zathura-like film that unfortunately does not play to his strengths as a director.
By the end, the film gives all too convenient answers to the problems that just seem like cheap solutions to get closer to the end that cannot arrive soon enough. 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 disappoint 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.
Rating: C-
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