A children's fantasy directed by Mark Waters, The Spiderwick Chronicles is not as complex or sophisticated as similar movies such as Narnia or Harry Potter. But it's exciting and there's no excessive moralising.
Helen Grace (Mary-Louise Parker) takes her three children, twins Jared and Simon (both played by Freddie Highmore) and Mallory (Sarah Bolger), and moves into an old house left to her by her Aunt Lucinda (Joan Plowright).
They have barely unpacked when problem child Jared finds a book - Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You. An evil ogre called Mulgarath wants the book because he can use it to take over both the human and fairy worlds.
The movie has great special effects, from the disgusting toad-like goblins to the majestic eagle-winged griffin. The Spiderwick Chronicles is a film children and adults will enjoy.