Miraculous, too, that the kids are allowed not only to be put in real danger, but also to be able to be proactive and figure things out for themselves. Sure, there’s that late-in-the-game moment when the mother finally realizes that her kids are telling the truth, but this isn’t a movie where adults come and rescue the kids at the last minute.

Of course, since this is only one movie and the majority of the action takes place in a backyard, the scope isn’t as epic as something like Harry Potter. The Spiderwick Chronicles is more along the lines of last year’s Bridge to Terabithia in that the fantasy elements serve to compliment the more important human dynamics: ultimately, of course, it’s a movie about a kid upset about his parents’ separation.

That might be why the film is not directed by some tech wiz but by Mark Waters, whose last two films were Just Like Heaven and Mean Girls. Still, the special effects are pretty impeccable and even surprising; there’s a terrific and unique character named Hogsqueal who’s delightfully voiced by Seth Rogen. It all adds up to an impressive bit of entertainment that kids should love and adults should reasonably enjoy.

Movie Grade: B+

Synopsis:

Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.