The Spiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray

The Spiderwick Chronicles

 (2008)

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Thriller



From the beloved best-selling series of books comes The Spiderwick Chronicles, a fantasy adventure that reveals the rest of the world around us. Peculiar things start to happen the moment the Grace family (Jared, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory and their mom) leave New York and move into the secluded old house owned by their great-great-uncle, Arthur Spiderwick. Unable to explain the strange disappearances and accidents that seem to be happening on a daily basis, the siblings investigate what's really going on and uncover the extraordinary truth of the Spiderwick estate and the creatures that inhabit it.

For more details about The Spiderwick Chronicles on Blu-ray, see The Spiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray Review

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Sarah Bolger, Andrew McCarthy
Director: Mark S. Waters

The Spiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


The Spiderwick Chronicles can now be discovered on Blu-ray in a fairly good 1080p, 2.35:1 framed transfer. This image seems to be intentionally lit in such a way so as to lend a slight golden tint to the proceedings, a look that blends well with the antiquated house and the numerous outdoor shots that are saturated in the color of fall leaves. Colors, at least in the first half or so of the film, aren't exactly bright and vivid, but are rather somewhat dull and lifeless, taking on the slightly darker tone of the movie. That's not to say the film is devoid of color. We see plenty of it, it's just that the the film never over-saturates or blows them out of proportion, instead allowing them to pervade and become part of the scene rather than dominating it. Colors do pick up in intensity and vividness later in the movie, as seen when Mallory and Jared visit their aunt in chapter 8 where the Sprites are particularly bright and colorful. The look of the picture on the whole lends to the belief that this is the look the filmmakers were after and not the result of a sloppy transfer. Grain is noticeably absent, but the somewhat dark look of the movie allows it to retain a theatrical look and feel. Fine detail isn't remarkable, but only moderate. The dusty, cobweb-filled secret room has many unique and exciting nooks, crannies, and treasures to be discovered by the adept and eagle-eyed viewer, but we can only make out so much in the background, unfortunately. The various outdoor shots look fantastic with their multicolored fall leaves adorning both branches and the ground. One drawback that I noted is that the image is decidedly lacking in crispness in many places. Some longer shots look to be just the slightest bit fuzzy, and while close-up and medium-wide shots are solid, they never appear to be completely sharp and defined, either. Flesh tones look natural, although they take on the characteristically soft, golden hue of the movie. Black levels are also notably strong. While The Spiderwick Chronicles isn't the most gorgeous transfer I've seen, it rates highly and should please most Blu-ray fans.

The Spiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Presented in a lossless Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a somewhat reserved yet wholly engaging listening experience. It's definitely not the sonic extravaganza that is a film like Cloverfield, but there is a natural grace to the soundtrack that places it firmly in the realm of "excellent" mixes. The film's score (courtesy of composer James Horner, Apocalypto) blends into the back channels for a pleasing, natural, and theatrical experience. Throughout the movie, you'll hear sounds pan effortlessly across the entirety of the soundstage, especially the scampering of creatures in various locales, from the dark secret room to the great outdoors. Dialogue is just about perfect if not the slightest bit muted, but then again, so is much of the soundtrack, at least early on. One thing I really enjoyed about listening to The Spiderwick Chronicles was that even the slightest of sounds, like a cell phone ringing off to the side, sounded like it was somewhere off the the side of my room where I don't even have a speaker, resulting in some wonderful imaging scattered here and there. The first truly impressive and loud moment of the soundtrack is when the goblins first summon the ogre Mulgarath in chapter 6. Deep, penetrating bass and excellent surround presence mark the moment. From here on out, the track picks up a bit in intensity. A troll attack on Mallory and Jared in chapter 7 is another exciting, well-played listen that adds to the tension and entertainment of the sequence. The Griffin ride in chapter 9 is also dynamic and well-played. In fact, the film's final act, without giving away anything, is excellent -- it is loud and powerful, yet crisp and clean, packing just the right punch for the entire sequence. The final third of the track on the whole is pleasing and wondrous, and just about represents sonic perfection. The Spiderwick Chronicles is quite the listen. It won't devastate your ears, but its pleasing and natural use of sound, and reserved quality that only brings out the "big guns" when needed, makes it one of the finer tracks on the market today.

The Spiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Spiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray Gets Detailed - April 30, 2008


• Paramount Further Details Their Blu-ray Plans - April 30, 2008


• Paramount Reveals Initial Blu-ray Titles - April 29, 2008

The Spiderwick Chronicles Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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