The Spiderwick Chronicles, (PG)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Family recently shattered by divorce inherits creepy old house in the woods, and finds itself at the heart of a battle between the fantastical creatures who lurk, unseen, all around us – hobgoblins, ogres, sylphs and so forth.
Much to commend as a holiday time-filler – respectable CGI creatures, good central performances, a family set-up that is far more plausible than anything in Narnia or Potter. But those earlier fantasies have shot Spiderwick's fox – a climactic flight on a griffin's back, for example, doesn't deliver anything we haven't had before from Harry Potter's various excursions by broomstick and hippogriff – and the narrative feels unhappily rushed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments