ShareThis"The Spiderwick Chronicles" brings the magic home for those who don't have Harry Potter's powers. A charmed tale grounded in reality, the film is as much about the real world as it is about the magical one. It's made with such finesse by the actors and director Mark Waters that the reality and fantasy are seamless.Based on the books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" begins with the arrival of the Grace family at a creepy old mansion in a small New England town. Helen (Mary Louise Parker), who has separated from her husband, can no longer afford to live in New York City with her three kids, so she's brought them to the long-empty house, which belongs to a relative who's in a sanitarium.Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and Simon (Freddie Highmore) are trying to be supportive, but Jared (also Highmore), Simon's identical twin, is angry and wants to be with his father.The first night is an uneasy one, and Jared quickly discovers a book written by his great-great-uncle Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn), a "field guide to fantastical creatures." Though the book is sealed and bears a warning that it shouldn't be read, Jared opens it and soaks in the secrets that Arthur learned through many years of study.Jared is the first to meet the house "brownie," Thimbletack (voice of Martin Short), a very excitable creature who loses it when he realizes that Jared has opened the book. Thimbletack, who can be seen only when he wants to be seen, explains that an ogre, Mulgarath, wants the book so that he can know the secrets of the creatures that are able to hide from him in the woods.Fortunately, before Arthur disappeared one day many decades ago, he put a charm on the house that prevents Mulgarath and his goblins from getting inside. The problem is, Jared soon develops a bad habit of taking the book outside the protective circle, endangering himself and the creatures featured in the book.It doesn't take too long for Jared to convince bookish Simon and fencing-crazed Mallory that he's telling the truth about magical creatures that are ready to attack them. Helen thinks Jared's assertions are part of his ploy to return to his father, but the kids think there's a good chance their great-aunt, Lucinda (Joan Plowright), the one in the sanitarium, will believe them.The script by Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum and John Sayles establishes the dilemmas of the story matter-of-factly so that viewers don't have to waste time trying to convince themselves of the truth of the setting. The realistic special effects and vivid cinematography complete the job.While the goblins bear an unfortunate resemblance to the creatures from a sinus-relief commercial, they're a lot more ferocious. Many of the other magical creatures are beautiful, and then for humor there's Hogsqueal (voice of Seth Rogen).Highmore ("August Rush") cements his place as the child actor of the new millennium with his dual role, but the whole cast is wonderful. "The Spiderwick Chronicles" is sprinkled with magic, but it's made of adventure and heart.Rated PG for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements. Four stars (out of five)(Contact Betsy Pickle of The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee at www.knoxnews.com.)
'Spiderwick' magic is grounded in reality
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