THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES
Headline: ** Beware of Deadly Consequences **Title: THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES
Quality: * * * Acceptability: -1
SUBTITLES: None
WARNING CODES:
Language: LL
Violence: VV
Sex: None
Nudity: None
RATING: PG
RELEASE: February 14, 2008
TIME: 97 minutes
STARRING: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Sarah Bolger, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright, David Strathairn, Seth Rogen, and Martin Short
DIRECTOR: Mark Waters
PRODUCERS: Karey Kirkpatrick, Mark Canton, Larry Franco, and Ellen Goldsmith-Vein
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Julia Pistor, Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
WRITER: Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum and John Sayles
BASED ON THE BOOKS BY: Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
DISTRIBUTOR: Paramount Pictures
CONTENT: (C, BB, O, Pa, LL, VV, M) Light Christian worldview with strong moral elements that affirms family and takes an underdeveloped view warning about getting involved with, and getting obsessed with gaining secret knowledge about, an occult/pagan world of magical creatures; one obscenity, one incomplete obscenity, 11 light profanities, and hobgoblin spits into people's eyes so they can see magical creatures; action violence includes some scary moments, girl kills goblins with sword, brief images of green goblin or troll blood are shown a few times, goblins chase and attack people, boy's leg seriously scratched, chase scene with boy on roof in danger of falling and getting seriously hurt or killed, large serpent attacks people, goblins drag boy and imprison him, large troll chase children through tunnel, truck hits large troll, and hole punched in wall; no sex, but comment made that a father has moved in with his girlfriend; no nudity; no alcohol; no smoking; and, kidnapping, boy ignores warning, off-screen father has abandoned family but mother tells son at one point his father loves him, another father is obsessed with his work but realizes his mistake in time to make amends, and deceitful villain lies.
GENRE: Fantasy
INTENDED AUDIENCE: Older children to adults
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SUMMARY: THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is a modern-day fairy tale about a boy who must get help from his family to stop an evil ogre from getting his hands on a mysterious book containing powerful insights into the world of fairies and magic. THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is exciting family fun for children over 10, with some positive messages about family and the dangers of the occult, but it requires caution for older pre-teens because of magical elements, some scary violence and brief foul language.
IN BRIEF:
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is a modern-day fairy tale with goblins, ogres and magical creatures. Separated from her husband, Helen Grace moves her three children, Jared, Simon and Mallory, into the former home of their great aunt Lucinda. Jared begins to notice unusual happenings in the old house and discovers a strange book written by Lucinda's long-missing father, Arthur Spiderwick. A note warns people to stay away, but Jared begins reading the book. His carelessness unleashes a magical world surrounding the house, including evil goblins led by the wicked ogre Mulgarath. Mulgarath wants the knowledge in the book to rule the world through evil magic. Jared has to convince his family to help him stop Mulgarath, but that's easier said than done.
THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is exciting family fun for children over 10. The story moves along at a brisk pace. Though the magical worldview is somewhat mixed, the basic attitude turns out to be morally uplifting and biblical. The movie affirms family and warns about the dangers of seeking occult knowledge. That said, MOVIEGUIDEŽ advises caution for older pre-teens because of the movie's magical elements, some scary violence and brief foul language.
