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Hogsqueal (voiced by Seth Rogen) helps Jared spy on the wicked creatures

Excised of the religious and political baggage that coursed like subterranean tributaries through Compass, Spiderwick's story is far more basic and trouble-free—the invisible, enchanted world, like the human world, contains both beauty and ugliness, both good and evil. And like our world, evil will stop at nothing to achieve dominion. If the natural world does not rise up, evil will envelop not only the supernatural world, but the natural world as well. Sound familiar?

It would be easy to read spiritual analogies into Spiderwick, and they are there, intentionally or not. The supernatural world, which overlaps our own, is as real as the natural world. And in this world is a force for wickedness that prowls around, "seeking whom it may devour."

"For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world," wrote Paul in Ephesians, spelling out the plot of Spiderwick in surprising detail, "against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." Despite the consternation and disbelief of many in Spiderwick and in real life, just because we can't see a thing, does not mean that it does not exist.

The evil Mulgarath (voiced by Nick Nolte)

Consistently thinking he knows best—despite the urgent pleas and warnings of others—Jared is cinematic proof that you can't make a film about the dangers of reckless disobedience without first showing that disobedience in action. Jared is a difficult protagonist to appreciate at first. Hotheaded and defiant, his frequent outbursts and bouts of destructive anger make him more anti-hero than hero. We understand and empathize with the root causes of his antagonism, even as we disapprove of how he expresses them. But Spiderwick isn't interested in leaving Jared unchanged. By film's end, Jared is an altered young man. He has witnessed first hand that there are consequences to his actions and that those consequences not only harm him but frequently those he loves most.

The film also reveals that ignorance and obstinacy are not found only in the young. Arthur Spiderwick, we discover, once had a chance to destroy his creation, thus denying Mulgarath the power he sought. But Spiderwick was prideful and unwilling to part with his work. The result was the imperiling of an entire world and the loss of his daughter. Arthur Spiderwick is what Jared could have become had he not ultimately decided to throw his tenacity and drive behind protecting others rather than himself.

Director Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday) impressively balances both the reality and the fantasy elements in Spiderwick, creating a world suffused with daunting adventure, considerable humor and touching humanity. Highmore, still as winsome as when audiences first fell in love with him in Finding Neverland, continues to impress as he ages. Here, he pulls double duty as twins and, along with his across-the-pond co-star, Bolger, nails a flawless American accent. The lively CGI sprites, hobgoblins, trolls and slobbering ogres mesh seamlessly with the film's naturalistic, painterly cinematography. James Horner turns in the sort of pitch perfect, if self-plagiarized fantasy score, for which he is famous.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is an enjoyable adventure fantasy that is sure to cast a spell over its audiences. But just as importantly, it weaves a story that resonates with spiritual truth.

>Talk About It

1. Jared begins the film as a violent, angry boy. What happens to change his nature?
2. When he lets his anger get the best of him, Thimbletack literally turns into a monster. What spiritual similarities can we glean from this simple metaphor?
3. Do you see any parallels between the invisible, but no less real, enchanted world of Spiderwick and that of our own? How does Ephesians 6:10-12 apply?
4. What does the film teach us about family unity, togetherness and overcoming adversity through teamwork?

The Family Corner

The Spiderwick Chronicles is rated PG for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements. The film isn't for everyone. While it will appeal to children old enough to separate fantasy from the reality, it also has scary enough monsters and intense enough moments that parents should be wary of bringing their younger kids. There is one instance of very mild profanity and one other, more serious utterance that gets cut off mid-word.

Photos © Copyright Paramount Pictures

© Brandon Fibbs subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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