by Missy Thompson

STAFF WRITER

There are movies that people remember from their childhood as being the most spectacular thing they have ever seen. Then, as adults, going back to watch the same film, they leave disappointed. The special effects are lame, the acting atrocious and the plot meaningless. I hope kids who go to see "The Spiderwick Chronicles" won't feel that way when they watch this film when they are older.

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" may reach far beyond the imaginations of adults, but kids will eat up the magic that this film feeds. The film features Freddie Highmore, who does double-duty by playing twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace. Highmore has been in his fair share of films for his young age. However, playing twins is something very few actors have ever had to do.

The magical world that audiences enter when watching "The Spiderwick Chronicles" is definitely far-fetched. Within a few moments of opening, the plotlines reach a ridiculous level. I understand that this is a film for children -- and they will love it -- but it is difficult to think that the average adult will find it believable.

"The Spiderwick Chronicles" may be comparable to the magic in the "Harry Potter" series, "The Chronicles of Narnia" or "The Golden Compass." All of these films were made primarily for children to enjoy. Adults are dragged to the theaters to see these movies and sometimes come out loving what they just saw.

In "The Spiderwick Chronicles," twins Jared and Simon Grace are forced, along with their older sister Mallory (Sarah Bogler), to move into an ancient house in the middle of nowhere with their mother Helen (Mary-Louise Parker). Helen had inherited the house as the last remaining relative of Lucinda Spiderwick (Joan Plowright). Her father Arthur Spiderwick (Daivd Strathairn) had lived in the house for years, writing in a book about all the mystical creatures he encountered.

His writings told about the creatures that live with people from day to day, but humans cannot see them. After finishing the chronicles, strange things started to happen. Bogarts and frog-like animals wanted the book so they would have the secrets of both worlds. This alternate universe is dangerous in that if the book is opened or the Bogarts get their hands on it, it could be deadly for humans.

Shortly after moving into the house, Jared -- who is the rebel of the two boys -- finds the book, opens it and gets pulled into the other world. Simon and Mallory do not believe him, due to the lies he tells on a daily basis. When the evil creatures capture Simon, Jared and Mallory must band together, with the help of their great Aunt Lucinda and great-great Uncle Arthur to destroy the book.

This movie is fun for older children (probably 8-11 years old). Younger children may find much of "The Spiderwick Chronicles" too scary. For a PG-rated film, there are many sequences of violence and frightening images.

For the most part, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" is an OK movie with a few moments of CGI brilliance. The performances are fine and the plot is only slightly confusing. If you want to take your kids to a fun film that will keep them entertained, then this is probably a good choice.

missy@tooeletranscript.com

Grade: B-

Rated: PG

Time: 97 minutes

Opens today