The fantasy genre has become the cash-cow of Hollywood following the immense success of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Narnia. The Spiderwick Chronicles aims to continue this very trend and is more or less successful in doing so if you ask me. For someone who didn’t particularly enjoy the aforementioned hit movies The Spiderwick Chronicles turned out to be thoroughly watchable.
The movie following the fantasy genre trend, is an adaptation of a popular series of children’s books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, though I won’t go as far as saying that after watching the movie I am tempted to pick up the books. The target audience of the movie is obviously the baccha party as is evident from the fact that the lead character is a young Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore). His acting skills are pretty decent but I still prefer apna Darsheel Safary.
Story wise the movie has nothing that will blow you out of the water. It’s the same old, ‘Family moves into old, abandoned, haunted house – gets into trouble – uncovers the secrets behind the house and finally lays the bhoots to rest’ (just like Monster House, Haunted Mansion etc.)
Though the special effects flip flop between breathtaking and ordinary computer game graphics, they also give us two of the most lovable characters in the movie Thimbletack (a pint-sized, sometimes jolly sometimes angry mythical creature who talks in witty rhymes) and Hogsqueal (a magical pig with two snouts who aims to eat anything that flies including a Griffin!)
All in all, the movie is a nice timepass for the baccha log but I doubt whether the kids will go absolutely nuts over this one a la Harry Potter.
Rating: 2 ½ out of 5
What the Ratings Mean:
0 – Terrible Beyond Imagination
1 – Mostly Pathetic
2 – Strictly OK
3 – Good
4 – Very Good
5 – Bow Down and Worship!
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