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    WSR Detailed DVD Review
    Spiderwick Chronicles, The


    Two-Disc Special Edition
    Genre: Fantasy Adventure

    Reviewed In Issue 133 (Jul/Aug 2008) Of Widescreen Review®

    Stars:
    Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Sarah Bolger, Andrew McCarthy, Joan Plowright & David Strathairn and the voice talents of Seth Rogen & Martin Short

    WSR Review Scores
    WSR Picture Rating: 4.5
    DD Sound Rating: 4
    DTS Sound Rating: NR
    Download WSR Review
    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score: 3
    Internet Links
    www.spiderwickchronicles.com
    Special Features
    Special features on Disc One of the DVD two-disc sets include two featurettes: Spiderwick: It's All True! (seven minutes) and It's A Spiderwick World! (nine minutes); an interactive guide to the film's characters in Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide; a movie-in-movie mode featuring additional information throughout the film, and previews. On Disc Two there are the following featurettes: Spiderwick: Meet The Clan! (14 minutes), Making Spiderwick! (20 minutes), The Magic Of Spiderwick! (14 minutes), and A Final Word Of Advice! (two minutes); four deleted scenes; nine Nickelodeon TV Spots promoting the film; and the original theatrical trailer.


     DVD General Information

    (Studio/Distributor): Paramount Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number): 13260
    (MPAA Rating): PG
    (Rating Reason):

    		 For scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements
    (Retail Price): $36.99
    (DVD Type): Two-Disc Set: DVD-9 & DVD-5
    (Widescreen Edition): Yes
    (Full Screen Edition): No
    (Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
    (Running Time In Minutes): 101
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Regional Coding): 1
    (Theatrical Year): 2008
    (Theatrical Release): Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release): No
    (DVD Release Date): 06/24/08
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): No

     Credits Information

    (Director): Mark Waters
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      DVD Picture Information

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    (Measured DVD Letterbox Aspect Ratio): Subscribe Now!

      DVD Sound Information

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      WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    Arthur Spiderwick is a brilliant naturalist who obsessively Chronicles the existence of the fairies, hob-goblins, and ogres that inhabit the woods around his home. Eighty years after Arthur's mysterious disappearance, his great-niece Helen Grace (Parker) and her three children move into his now empty home. Soon, unexplainable accidents and disappearing objects begin to plague the Grace family, who are totally bewildered by the incidents. Grace's son Jared (Highmore) stumbles upon Arthur's well-hidden field guide, which has the power to unlock the truth about the amazing creatures that inhabit the Spiderwick estate. Based on books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. (Stacey Pendry)

    DVD Picture:
    The anamorphically enhanced 2.34:1 DVD shows impressive resolution, with fine details preserved well. Black levels are deep and shadow delineation is nicely rendered, helping create an acceptably dimensional image. Fleshtones look fairly natural, although highlights are too contrasted. Noticeable grain is recognizable throughout, and in comparison to the Blu-ray Disc, it appears that at least some of it should be attributed to noise. Colors are nicely saturated, with a stirring vibrancy at times. Edge enhancement is minor, and is never distracting. (Danny Richelieu)

    Soundtrack:
    The Dolby

    Reason #26 Why Readers Love Widescreen Review:

    Before WSR, there was a 4:3 picture tube. After WSR, there is a nice 65 inch widescreen rear projection TV. However, it's only a beginning, because WSR started a dream. The reality looks crisper and clearer now, even the sound is more precise and enveloping. Widescreen Review: P5/S5, one's critic’s composite: 5. Thank you, WSR. Keep up the excellent work!

    Artur Stasila.
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