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October 10, 2008 6:39:04 PM CDT

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Spiderwick Delivers Thrills

Posted Feb 15, 08 2:57 PM CST in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Critics by and large are enchanted with The Spiderwick Chronicles. It's "a well-crafted family thriller that is truly scary and doesn't wimp out," writes Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times. The fantasy, based on the best-selling books, follows twins (played by Freddie Highmore) and their sister (In America's Sarah Bolger) as the recipients of a forbidden book that might save the world.

"The movie's richly autumnal look is by swift turns cozily naturalistic and terrifyingly baroque, and director Mark Waters (Freaky Friday, Mean Girls) sustains the balance between real and surreal with mischievous brio," writes Ella Taylor for Village Voice. Keith Phipps of the Onion AV Club adds, "Anyone looking for handsomely presented, kid-friendly thrills need look no further."

Sources Metacritic, RogerEbert.com, Village Voice, The Onion (A.V. Club)

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In this photo released by Paramount Pictures, Hogsqueal (the voice of Seth Rogen, left) helps Jared Grace (Freddie Highmore, right) spy on the wicked creatures in %u201CThe Spiderwick Chronicles.%u201D...   (Associated Press)
Actor Freddie Highmore poses on the press line at the premiere of the feature film "The Spiderwick Chronicles" at Paramount Pictures in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)   (Associated Press)
Actress Mary-Louise Parker arrives for the special screening of The Spiderwick Chronicles in New York on Monday Feb. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Maiman)   (Associated Press)
Dina Waters, left, and director Mark Waters, right, arrive for the special screening of The Spiderwick Chronicles in New York on Monday Feb. 4, 2008. (AP Photo/Rick Maiman)   (Associated Press)
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"Spiderwick Chronicles" Alternate Trailer   (paraccount (YouTube))
Spiderwick Chronicles Movie Official Trailer 1   (techgadgetguru (YouTube))

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movie  • movie review  • fantasy  • Freddie Highmore


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