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This article is about the film. For the novel, see Spiderwick.
The Spiderwick Chronicles

Theatrical release poster
Directed byMark Waters
Produced byFrank Marshall
Kathleen Kennedy
Karey Kirkpatrick
Holly Black
Tony DiTerlizzi
Larry J. Franco
Written byKarey Kirkpatrick
David Berenbaum
John Sayles[1]
StarringFreddie Highmore
Sarah Bolger
Mary-Louise Parker
Martin Short
Nick Nolte
David Strathairn
Joan Plowright
Seth Rogen
Andrew McCarthy
Music byJames Horner
CinematographyCaleb Deschanel
Editing byMichael Kahn
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Nickelodeon Movies
Release date(s)February 14, 2008 (USA)

March 21, 2008 (UK)

Running time97 min. Mark Stephen Waters (born June 30, 1964) is an American Film director. Frank Wilson Marshall (born September 13, 1946) is a four-time Academy Award -nominated American movie producer and Kathleen Kennedy (b 5 June 1953 in Berkeley California) is a five-time Academy Award nominated American movie industry executive Karey Kirkpatrick (born c 1970 is a Screenwriter. His films include James and the Giant Peach, Chicken Run, Curious George Holly Black née Riggenbach in 1971 and during her early years her family lived in a "decrepit Victorian house" Tony DiTerlizzi (born September 6, 1969) is an American Fantasy Artist, Children's book creator and motion picture Larry J Franco is an American Film producer. He has also served as a Second Unit Director or Assistant Director Karey Kirkpatrick (born c 1970 is a Screenwriter. His films include James and the Giant Peach, Chicken Run, Curious George John Thomas Sayles (born September 28 1950) is an American Independent film director and Screenwriter who frequently Alfred Thomas Highmore (born 14 February 1992) known professionally as Freddie Highmore, is an English actor Sarah Lee Bolger (born 28 February 1991) is an Irish actress who became famous in 2002 when she starred in In America with her sister Mary-Louise Parker (born August 2, 1964) is an American Tony - Emmy - and Golden Globe -winning actress Martin Hayter Short, CM (born March 26, 1950) is a Canadian Comedian, Actor, writer, Singer and Nicholas King Nolte (born February 8, 1941) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor, Film producer and ex- model David Russell Strathairn (born January 26 1949) is an Academy Award -nominated American Film, Television, and stage Joan Ann Olivier Baroness Olivier, DBE (born 28 October 1929) better known as Dame Joan Plowright, is an English actress Seth Rogen (born April 15 1982 is a Canadian actor Comedian, writer and Film producer. Andrew McCarthy (born November 29, 1962) is an American Actor. James Roy Horner (born August 14 1953) is an American Composer of orchestral and film music Caleb Deschanel, ASC (born September 21, 1944) is an American Cinematographer. Michael Kahn is the name of Michael Kahn (film editor (born 1935 Michael Kahn (theatre director, Washington D Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. Nickelodeon Movies is the Motion picture production arm of children's cable channel Nickelodeon, originally founded in 1996 Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common
CountryFlag of the United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$90 million
Official website
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a 2008 fantasy film adaptation of Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi's bestselling series of the same name. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States Fantasy films are films with fantastic themes usually involving magic, Supernatural events make-believe creatures or exotic Fantasy worlds Film adaptation is the transfer of a written work to a Feature film. Holly Black née Riggenbach in 1971 and during her early years her family lived in a "decrepit Victorian house" Tony DiTerlizzi (born September 6, 1969) is an American Fantasy Artist, Children's book creator and motion picture Set in the Spiderwick Estate in New England, it follows the adventures of Jared Grace and his family as they discover a field guide to faeries and battle goblins and other magical creatures. History See also History of New England New England's earliest inhabitants were Algonquian -speaking Native Americans including the A fairy (also fay, fey, fae, faerie; collectively wee folk, good folk, people of peace, fair It was directed by Mark Waters and stars Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Martin Short, Nick Nolte, and Seth Rogen. Mark Stephen Waters (born June 30, 1964) is an American Film director. Alfred Thomas Highmore (born 14 February 1992) known professionally as Freddie Highmore, is an English actor Sarah Lee Bolger (born 28 February 1991) is an Irish actress who became famous in 2002 when she starred in In America with her sister Martin Hayter Short, CM (born March 26, 1950) is a Canadian Comedian, Actor, writer, Singer and Nicholas King Nolte (born February 8, 1941) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor, Film producer and ex- model Seth Rogen (born April 15 1982 is a Canadian actor Comedian, writer and Film producer. Produced by Nickelodeon Movies and distributed by Paramount Pictures, it was released on February 14, 2008. Nickelodeon Movies is the Motion picture production arm of children's cable channel Nickelodeon, originally founded in 1996 Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The film will also be released on DVD and Blu-ray on 24 June 2008 in the United States. DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common [2]

Contents

Plot summary

A recently divorced Mrs. Grace (Mary-Louise Parker) moves into the Spiderwick Estate with her children, Jared (Freddie Highmore), his twin brother Simon (also Highmore), and Mallory (Sarah Bolger), when it is given to her by her elderly aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright). Mary-Louise Parker (born August 2, 1964) is an American Tony - Emmy - and Golden Globe -winning actress Alfred Thomas Highmore (born 14 February 1992) known professionally as Freddie Highmore, is an English actor Sarah Lee Bolger (born 28 February 1991) is an Irish actress who became famous in 2002 when she starred in In America with her sister Joan Ann Olivier Baroness Olivier, DBE (born 28 October 1929) better known as Dame Joan Plowright, is an English actress When Mallory uncovers a dumbwaiter system behind a wall, Jared finds a monogrammed key and discovers the study of the late owner of the estate, Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn). David Russell Strathairn (born January 26 1949) is an Academy Award -nominated American Film, Television, and stage Jared uses the key to open a chest, he finds Spiderwick's Field Guide to faeries; although an attached note warns him not to read it, he does so anyway. A fairy (also fay, fey, fae, faerie; collectively wee folk, good folk, people of peace, fair

Soon after, Jared meets a brownie named Thimbletack (Martin Short), who explains that magical creatures are normally invisible, but can reveal themselves at will. Martin Hayter Short, CM (born March 26, 1950) is a Canadian Comedian, Actor, writer, Singer and He tells Jared about a protective circle that Arthur Spiderwick placed around the house and gives him a stone with a hole through which he can see faeries.

However, a shape-shifting ogre named Mulgarath (Nick Nolte) wants the field guide for himself so he can rule over all faerie-kind. Shapeshifting is a common theme in Mythology and Folklore, as well as in Science fiction and Fantasy. An ogre (feminine ogress) is a large cruel and hideous Humanoid Monster, featured in mythology folklore and fiction Nicholas King Nolte (born February 8, 1941) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actor, Film producer and ex- model He sends his goblins to obtain it, and they kidnap Simon, mistaking him for Jared. Meanwhile, Jared meets Hogsqueal (Seth Rogen), a hobgoblin, who has a liking for birds and is revengeful enemy of Mulgarath who gives Jared the ability to see faeries without the aid of the stone. Seth Rogen (born April 15 1982 is a Canadian actor Comedian, writer and Film producer. Hobgoblin is a term typically applied in folktales to describe a friendly or amusing Goblin. Mulgarath lets Simon go, but Jared, who is hiding, is spotted and the twins are chased into the house, managing to escape only with Mallory's help.

The children decide to visit their great-aunt Lucinda, now in a psychiatric hospital, for advice. A psychiatric hospital (previously called insane asylum, mental hospital; or derogatorily looney bin, nut house or Funny Farm) is While Simon distracts the goblins, Mallory and Jared manage to reach a tunnel under the estate. Lucinda tells them that they need to find Arthur Spiderwick and have him destroy the book; however, Arthur is being held captive by Sylphs, a type of faerie. Sylph (also called sylphid) is a mythological creature in the Western tradition Suddenly, Mulgarath's goblins attack them and steal several pages from the book before they are driven off.

The siblings use the book to summon Arthur Spiderwick's pet, a griffin, which takes them to the realm of the Sylphs. The griffin is a Legendary creature with the body of a Lion and the head and often wings of an Eagle. There they meet Arthur, who has not aged but is also unaware of the time he has spent there.

On their return, Hogsqueal warns them that one of the stolen pages will allow Mulgarath to destroy the protective circle when the moon rises. Jared, Simon, Mallory, and Helen arm themselves with steel knives and home-made bombs prepared by Simon. When they are forced into the kitchen, they place all of their bombs into the oven, detonating them and killing all of the goblins.

Someone looking like and claiming to be Mr. Grace (Andrew McCarthy) enters the house and tells Jared that he came to apologize; however, Jared discovers that it is not him and stabs him in the stomach, revealing him to be Mulgarath in disguise. Andrew McCarthy (born November 29, 1962) is an American Actor. Jared escapes with the book through the dumbwaiter while Mulgarath transforms into a python and gives pursuit. In Greek mythology Python, serpent, was the earth-dragon of Delphi, always represented in sculpture and vase-paintings as a serpent. On the roof, Jared throws the book onto the lawn; as Mulgarath transforms into a raven to catch it, he is snatched and eaten by Hogsqueal.

The Graces bring Lucinda back to the house, and the Sylphs appear, bringing Arthur. He cannot remain outside of the faerie realm, but Lucinda asks to be taken with him instead; the Sylphs transform her back into her six-year-old self and spirit the two away.

A blue screen set used during filming.
A blue screen set used during filming. Chroma Key is the name under which ex- Dream Theater Keyboardist Kevin Moore records

Critical reception

The Spiderwick Chronicles received generally favorable reviews from critics; it was called "decent entertainment,"[3] "a work of both modest enchantment and enchanting modesty,"[4] and "modest and reasonably charming. "[5] However, it was criticized for its reliance on special effects; a reviewer for The New York Times called it "frantic with incident and hectic with computer-generated effects,"[6] and another said that "the sense of wonder and magic is lost in the shuffle. "[7]

Despite some negative reviews for the film overall, Freddie Highmore was generally praised for his dual role as the twins Simon and Jared. One critic said that he "skillfully portrays two distinctive personas,"[8] another said he "[had] no trouble grasping the task at hand,"[9] and a third remarked that, "the most special effect is probably Highmore". [10]

As of March 13, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 80% of critics gave the film positive reviews with an average rating of 6. Events 1138 - Cardinal Gregorio Conti is elected Antipope as Victor IV, succeeding Anacletus II. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Rotten Tomatoes is a Website devoted to reviews information and news of Movies. 7 out of 10, based on 110 reviews,[11] and Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 63 out of 100, based on 29 reviews. Metacritic is a Website that collates reviews of music Albums games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and Books. [12]

In its opening weekend, the film grossed an estimated $19 million in 3,847 theaters in the United States and Canada, ranking #3 at the box office. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page [13] With the opening day's gross on Thursday included, the film grossed an estimated $21. 3 million on its opening weekend. [14] As of June 8, 2008, the film has grossed more than $162,000,000 worldwide. Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common [15]

Video game

Main article: The Spiderwick Chronicles (video game)

Sierra Entertainment enlisted Stormfront Studios to develop and produce a video game adaptation of the Spiderwick Chronicles, following the general storyline of the books and film. The Spiderwick Chronicles is a video game adaptation of the film The Spiderwick Chronicles. Sierra Entertainment Inc is a Worldwide American Video game developer and publisher founded in 1979 by Ken and Roberta Stormfront Studios was a Video game developer based in San Rafael California which had one of the longest creative histories in the industry A video game is a Game that involves interaction with a User interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. [16] It was released, shortly before the film's opening, on February 5, 2008 for Nintendo DS, Wii, PC, Xbox 360, and Playstation 2, and rated Everyone (E10+) by the ESRB. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The is a dual-screen Handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. A personal computer ( PC) is any Computer whose original sales price size and capabilities make it useful for individuals and which is intended to be operated The Xbox 360 is the second Video game console produced by Microsoft, and was developed in cooperation with IBM, ATI, and SiS. The Entertainment Software Rating Board ( ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that applies and enforces ratings, Advertising guidelines and [17]

Differences from the series

Though the film follows the basic storyline of the book series, it omits the majority of the plot of the fourth book, and there are several other differences. Simon and Jared, who are nine in the books, appeared older in the film, as actor Freddie Highmore was 14 at the time of filming. Alfred Thomas Highmore (born 14 February 1992) known professionally as Freddie Highmore, is an English actor In the movie the Spiderwick house is surrounded by a protective circle not mentioned in the book series at all. Several locations were also changed: the final battle against Mulgarath took place in the Spiderwick estate, rather than Mulgarath's castle, and the tunnel under the estate was added. The Sylphs were originally called Elves, and Lucinda leaving with them to live with Arthur was originally Arthur remaining on earth to turn to dust and die. Sylph (also called sylphid) is a mythological creature in the Western tradition An elf is a creature of Norse mythology. The elves were originally imagined as a race of minor nature and fertility gods, who are often pictured as youthful-seeming

References

  1. ^ Full credits at IMDB
  2. ^ Breaking: Paramount Unveils Blu-ray Launch Plans | High-Def Digest
  3. ^ Richard Corliss (2008-02-15). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 590 - Khosrau II is crowned as king of Persia 1637 - Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor Run from Jumper, Creep Toward Spiderwick. Time Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
  4. ^ Justin Change (2008-02-10). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead The Spiderwick Chronicles. Variety. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
  5. ^ Peter Sobczynski (2008-02-14). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German The Spiderwick Chronicles. eFilmCritic. com. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
  6. ^ A. O. Scott (2008-02-14). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German A House Divided by Old Magic and New Residents. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
  7. ^ Sean Axmaker (2008-02-13). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed 'Spiderwick' looks pretty but offers little. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
  8. ^ Claudia Puig (2008-02-13). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed 'Spiderwick' doesn't stick, despite Highmore's performance. USA TODAY. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a  “Freddie Highmore does a fine job in a dual role as identical twins. The talented actor skillfully portrays two distinctive personas. ”
  9. ^ Elizabeth Weitzman (2008-02-14). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German 'Spiderwick Chronicles' fantasy can grow on you. NY Daily News. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a  “Happily, Highmore has no trouble grasping the task at hand. ”
  10. ^ Ty Burr (2008-02-14). 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German A creepy-crawly and digitized faerie tale. The Boston Globe. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a  “The most special effect is probably Highmore, who gets to sharpen up his American accent and who makes each twin, bookish Simon and bad-boy Jared, a functioning individual. ”
  11. ^ The Spiderwick Chronicles - Movie Reviews, Trailers, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes. Rotten Tomatoes is a Website devoted to reviews information and news of Movies. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
  12. ^ Spiderwick Chronicles, The (2008): Reviews. Metacritic. Metacritic is a Website that collates reviews of music Albums games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and Books. Retrieved on 2008-03-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 363 - Roman Emperor Julian moves from Antioch with an army of 90000 to attack the Sassanid Empire, in a
  13. ^ The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008). Box Office Mojo. Box Office Mojo is a Website that tracks Box office Revenue in a systematic way Retrieved on 2008-02-17. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori
  14. ^ The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) - Weekend Box Office Results. Box Office Mojo. Box Office Mojo is a Website that tracks Box office Revenue in a systematic way Retrieved on 2008-02-17. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1500 - Battle of Hemmingstedt. 1600 - Philosopher Giordano Bruno is burned alive at Campo de' Fiori
  15. ^ The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) - Weekend Box Office Results. Box Office Mojo. Box Office Mojo is a Website that tracks Box office Revenue in a systematic way Retrieved on 2008-05-05. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 553 - The Second Council of Constantinople begins 1215 - Rebel Barons renounce their allegiance to King John
  16. ^ Brendan Sinclair (2007-08-09). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Sierra snares Spiderwick Chronicles. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-03-04. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 51 - Nero, later to become Roman Emperor, is given the title Princeps iuventutis (head of the youth
  17. ^ http://www.spiderwickgame.com

External links

Rotten Tomatoes is a Website devoted to reviews information and news of Movies. Metacritic is a Website that collates reviews of music Albums games, movies, TV shows, DVDs and Books. Box Office Mojo is a Website that tracks Box office Revenue in a systematic way Allmovie (previously All Movie Guide) is a commercial database of information about Movie stars movies and television shows.
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