The Spiderwick Chronicles - Movie Review for Parents

MPAA Rating: PG, for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure
Age range: Ages 8 and up
Runtime: TBA
Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Joan Plowright, David Strathairn, Seth Rogen, Martin Short
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Screenwriters: Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum and John Sayles
Release Date: February 14, 2008

The Spiderwick Chronicles - Overview

The Grace family - Jared (Freddie Highmore), his twin brother Simon (Freddie Highmore), sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) and their mom (Mary-Louise Parker) - are beginning a new chapter in their lives and moving into an old house owned by their great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. Jared has been acting out, as he is struggling with the move, and with his parents' recent separation. So when strange things begin to happen around their mysterious new home, everyone in the family blames Jared first.

His investigation into the spooky occurrences leads Jared to an old book written by Uncle Arthur. The journal contains his findings about a magical world that exists around us, though we cannot see it. Jared soon finds out that there is also great danger surrounding his family in their new home, and that an evil creature will stop at nothing to obtain his uncle's journal and use the secrets therein to take over both his world and ours. At first, Jared has a hard time convincing his family of the unlikely creatures and there co-existence, but soon the danger becomes evident to Simon and Mallory.

before the three know it, they end up in a battle to protect the book from the goblins and other creatures. Even their mother is forced to join in when the enemy launches an all out assault on the Grace family. By banding together to save themselves and their uncle's secrets, the Grace family may also be able to mend the rift that has come between them.

The Spiderwick Chronicles - Review for Parents

The Spiderwick Chronicles on the big screen presents a wonderful opportunity for kids of the appropriate age group to become excited about reading the book series. Whether they see the movie or read the books first, they will enjoy learning every detail about the exciting adventure of the Grace family. Parents should know, though, that the movie has many parts that will be scary and intense for some kids. The movie contains scenes with scary monsters which try to drag the Grace kids away, among other things, and a few big jump scenes.

In addition, there is a major plot component surrounding the fact that Jared is angry because of his mother and father's separation. Jared is convinced his dad is going to come get him and that he will live with his father. The movie also portrays his disappointment when he finds out the truth. (See below for a more detailed explanation of possibly offensive or mature material.)

The Spiderwick Chronicles - Content Overview

The following lists a few of the most prominent examples of possibly offensive content in the movie (may contain spoilers):

Violence (Heavy)
- Several times during the movie, goblins grab at the Grace children, dragging one into the forest and injuring another. The goblins ferociously come after the kids whenever they leave the safety barrier.
- The Grace children are chased and threatened by the evil Mulgarath in his various forms including a large and terrible looking monster.
- Jared stabs his father with a knife (spoiler alert: he had actually figured out that it was Mulgarath in disguise).

Sex/Nudity (None)

Profanity (Medium)
- The words "hell" and "damn" are used. Some phrases are uttered which use the name of God. The kids use a few insulting phrases such as "nut boy" and "shut up."

Alcohol/Drugs (None)

Bad/Disrespectful Behavior (Medium)
- Jared seems bitter at his mother and siblings. In one scene, he yells at his mother saying, "I hate you, and I don't want to live with you."
- The Grace siblings bicker and argue at times, using some insulting phrases, but no profanity. Jared Grace takes out his anger by hitting things.

- Mulgarath wants to take over both his world and the human world. He and his goblins will stop at nothing to get Uncle Arthur's journal. They even talk about killing the Grace children.

Scary Scenes (Extreme)
- The scenes listed under "Violence" may be scary or unsettling to children.
- Goblins viciously attack the Grace children. Simon is held in a suspended cage. The goblins want to kill the kids and get the journal. Goblins continually stalk the kids and when th protective barrier is compromised, the goblins launch an all out attack on the house.
- Mulgarath in monster form is much bigger and more frightening than his goblin minions. He also chases and attacks the Grace children.
- A few jump scenes occur when goblins and other creatures startle the characters.

Sad/Unsettling Scenes (High)
- Throughout the movie, Jared laments that his parents have split up. He keeps hoping his father will come and get him. Jared's siblings break the news to him that his father is actually already living with another woman, and that he is not coming to get Jared.
- Jared's mother has a difficult time watching her son struggling with the break-up of the family.

The Spiderwick Chronicles - Topics to Talk About

• Kids may have questions about topics such as magical creatures, mental hospitals, single-parent homes, parents splitting up, a father living with another woman or finding a new family.