Despite the recent flood of fantasy movies directed toward children, “The Spiderwick Chronicles” is savvy, smart and heartwarming. Just like it’s predecessors, “The Spiderwick Chronicles” is based off a best-selling children’s books series. With a well-balanced cast “The Spiderwick Chronicles” is brought to life with amazing animation and a solid plot.

After Helen (Mary-Louise Parker) splits from her husband, she and her family move into an old, creepy house that was left to her by a crazy Aunt Lucinda (Joan Lowright). Soon after moving in, Helen’s son Jared (Freddie Highmore) comes in contact with a magic book written by their great, great Uncle Spiderwick (David Strathairn) that unlocks a world of goblins, nymphs and fairies.

Soon after Jared finds the book all these peculiar things begin to happen to the Grace Family. Jared’s brother Simon, who also is played by Highmore, and his sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) begin to investigate what is going on with the Spiderwick Estate and discover the truth about why the creatures are their inhabiting it.

My favorite characters in the movie, Thimbletack (Martin Short) and Hogsqueal (Seth Rogen), weren’t even human. Thimbletack, a hybrid mouse and man, was a scene-stealer. With his cute squeaky voice and love for honey, he was easily one of the most loveable characters in the movie. Even though he was animated, his interaction with the cast made him life like. In his opening scene Thimbletack appears to Jared (Highmore) and when he finally appears the gasp and giggles from the children overwhelmed the movie theater.

Hogsqueal, a mix of pig and human, is a loveable character mainly because he is dumb-witted. With a hero-like persona children gravitate toward him like a super hero and parents like him because of his entertaining one-liners. Unlike a real pig, Hogsqueal likes to eat birds and when one is in sight he forgets everything he intended to do, which created very memorable moments in the movie.

“The Spiderwick Chronicles” is a movie that both parents and children alike can enjoy. But a fair warning to parents, there are a few scary scenes where the Grace children kill goblins. Although there is no real blood, there is simulated green goblin blood. Some children began to cry so I would be careful if your child is sensitive.

Yasmine Bikul can be reached at [email protected]