Welcome to Reel People. It’s a place where, you guessed it, real people like yourselves spout off on new movie releases. It works best if you - yes, we mean you - jump into the forum link below and tell us what you think of the movie, too.

This week, we’re watching The Spiderwick Chronicles.

What I Liked: I liked that it wasn’t afraid to be funny, scary, and action packed all in a single PG rated film. Parents and kids alike can enjoy the vivid fantasy and creativity of this story. If you like the Narnia and Harry Potter films, you will most likely like this one too.

What I Disliked: The mom was a completely unbelievable character. She was almost an unnecessary role period, but it’s hard to have a child geared film without a parental presence somewhere in the story (unfortunately). The various creatures and the kids stole the roles in this film by far!

Also, the child’s curious imagination overriding all logic is still an excellent recipe for a Young Fantasy film.

Would I Recommend?: Most definitely. What better way to spend a Friday night then with weird goblin creatures, a creepy old century house, curious kids with a mission and a bag of popcorn? Its just plain old good movie watching!

Score: 8 out of 10

- Michelle Schenck

What I Liked: The Spiderwick Chronicles uses some of my favorite foods in its recipe for success: honey, oatmeal, salt, and tomato sauce.  Each ingredient is necessary to help the Grace family, newly transplanted New Yorkers, to surmount the problems they encounter in their relative’s country estate. These “problems” just happen to be unbelievable creatures (fairies and goblins and an ogre, oh, my!), AND - Are you ready for this? - a book!  Time passes quickly during The Spiderwick Chronicles, with incredibly animated creatures interacting with extraordinarily gifted and talented human actors.  In the end, I cheered for misunderstood Jared Grace, his family, and their two fairy friends as they cook up one final sweet tasting victory – literally and figuratively.

What I Disliked: The only way the adventure can unfold is if rebellious, misunderstood Jared Grace ignores the dire warning note on a book, and reads it.  How can reading any book be dangerous?? Subsequently, Jared is forced to use his newly acquired knowledge to vanquish an unseen foe. The creatures threatening him and his family are frightening, and sometimes nauseatingly real.  They are also mesmerizing to behold.

Would I Recommend?: This is a movie for anyone wanting to cheer for a single mom and her kids, who must unite as one loving family to surmount seen and unseen problems – with the aid of a well-written book. You’ll also enjoy the action immensely if you believe (or want to believe) in a world of mythical creatures, benign as well as offensive, and impossible but satisfying endings.

Score: 8 out of 10

- Courtenay O’Connell

What I Liked: This film wastes no time getting us into the story and doesn’t let down throughout unlike some other children’s fantasy films. You will love the CG characters and voice acting by Martin Short, Seth Rogen and even Nick Nolte. For some odd reason, the film made me feel like I was watching Jumanji, and that’s a good thing.

What I Disliked: As much as I liked the action, the pacing and the CG elements, it still didn’t break many molds, as a film. As a story, I found it just as exciting as The Dark Is Rising which is based off of an excellent series of books, though the 2007 film totally missed the mark. I also kind of wish that Paramount would make this into a trilogy because I do believe they could’ve elaborated on many things no matter how cliche that decision might be.

Would I Recommend?: If you’re a twenty-something feeling lonely on a Friday night, then by all means, go enjoy this film. If not, I’d wait until it runs on HBO and just leave it to parents wanting take their kids for a nice weekend out to watch it in theaters. Another strange observation, the last fight between the lead character and the Nick Nolte monster resembled more than anything the Megatron chase on the rooftops in Transformers.

Score: 8 out of 10

- Nizar Babul