For the first time in a long time, I've just experienced a film that evokes the same sort of giddy feelings I felt while watching all those terrific fantasy films of the 80's. I'm talking about movies like The Neverending Story, Labyrinth, The Dark Crystal, Harry and the Hendersons, The Boy Who Could Fly, and Cocoon just to name a few.

In The Spiderwick Chronicles–based on a series of popular books by Toni DiTerlizzi and Holly Black--a young boy discovers a world of magic he never new existed shortly after moving into a rundown home with his sister, and recently separated mother. After settling in, young Jared Grace finds a book buried deep beneath the old antiques in the home. After opening the book, Jared inadvertantely opens a doorway to a universe populated by elves, ferries, goblins, and an evil force known as Mulgarath. As is usually the case in such stories, the evil Mulgarath has world domination in mind, but in order to rule the planet, he must retrieve the book.

In addition to 80's fantasy pictures, The Spiderwick Chronicles clearly has a Harry Potter vibe to it, and with it's dramatic sub plot about a young boy dealing with the broken home scenario, E.T. immediately springs to mind. Happily though, director Mark Waters has put together a wonderful family film through the aid of his screenwriters Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum, and John Sayles, and composer James Horner. True, there is something incredibly familiar about the proceedings, but it never feels like a straight up rip off, and while there certainly are items skimmed over in the plot–the book and it's secrets are never truly explored–it doesn't really matter, because once we're fifteen minutes into the movie, it's an absolute thrill ride.

The Spiderwick Chronicles isn't really a movie about performances, but there are a few good ones here. Freddie Highmore–Finding Neverland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-- is terrific as Jared and twin brother Simon. He continues to prove that he's one of the finest young actors of his generation. Sarah Bolger–you may remember this wonderfully charming young actress from Jim Sheridan's heartfelt In America–is spunky and tough as Jared's tomboy sister. Mary Louise Parker falters a bit in a thankless role as a mother trying to put her life back together, and David Strathairn is a little dull as Arthur Spiderwick– the mysterious writer of the book that sets this whole adventure into motion, but neither performance is unbearable. There are some terrific bit parts to speak of including a creepy Nick Nolte who lends his talent as villain Mulgarath and Joan Plowright as a charming elderly woman with a most interesting secret. Seth Rogen and Martin Short provide voices to a couple of the film's lead creatures, and both are in top comedic form.

The special effects here are terrific, and while the techniques veteran effects man Phil Tippett has used to bring these creations to life are modern, the designs are very old school. In fact, had The Spiderwick Chronicles been made twenty years ago, I'm convinced it would have been made with puppets. The creatures that populate this magical universe look like they came right out of the Jim Henson workshop.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a family film, but it should be noted that it does get a bit scary. The film makers don't dumb down the proceedings to appease the toddlers in the audience. Real little ones might find the film a little too intense. Ultimately though, The Spiderwick Chronicles is a whole lot of fun and while it lacks the scope of recent big budget fantasies like The Golden Compass, it's far more enjoyable overall. On a side note, the film is playing in Imax. That's the way to see it.