Charlotte's Web Release
Date:
December 15, 2006 Studio: Paramount Pictures Director: Gary Winick
Screenwriter: Susannah Grant, Karey Kirkpatrick Starring: Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John
Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, André Benjamin, Thomas Haden
Church, Robert Redford, Reba McEntire, Kathy Bates Genre: Drama, Family MPAA Rating: G Official Website:
CharlottesWebmovie.com
Plot Summary: The classic story of loyalty,
trust, and sacrifice comes to life in this live-action adaptation. Fern (Dakota
Fanning) is one of only two living beings who sees that Wilbur is a special
animal as she raises him, the runt of the litter, into a terrific and radiant
pig. As Wilbur moves into a new barn, he begins a second profound friendship
with the most unlikely of creatures – a spider named Charlotte – and their bond
inspires the animals around them to come together as a family. When the word
gets out that Wilbur's days are numbered, it seems that only a miracle will save
his life. A determined Charlotte – who sees miracles in the ordinary – spins
words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig"
and worth saving.
Charlotte’s
Web is hard not to like Peter Veugelaers:
EntertainmentNutz.com ****
Animals and children make for good family movies – particularly when the
lead animal in Charlotte’s Web is an adorable pig, Wilbur, who doesn’t
think he’s all right until an equally insecure spider, Charlotte, points
out Wilbur’s fascinating quality.
Wilbur is going to be served as pork chops for a local farm family,
which makes you hanker for veggie burgers instead of bacon. You can’t do
this to this lovely cute pig, I cry! Fortunately, the butcher is held at
bay by the considerate spider scheming up ways to secure the cleavers
where they belong. And she stirs up media frenzy out of organic silk
webs and borrowed vocabulary that would make city slickers proud, all
going to the cause of keeping Wilbur in the barn and off the torture
table. Unbeknown to me whether the producers, or the writer of the book
on which this is based, intended what is perhaps the warm theological
metaphor in this, because it just makes sense when comparing notes from
Bible talk and this movie: someone saves us because we are worth
it. There’s also a strong message about friendship grounded in reality.
A
vegetarian’s good night out? Possibly. Also, it’s great for families.
Charlotte’s Web is hard not to like. For its shortcomings, you still
can’t complain – that is being too pedantic for what kind of inoffensive
movie this is. Most of all, it is touching. It brings back the basics of
watching movies when the young girl behind me is heard unashamedly
weeping by her mother at the end. That’s the power of storytelling for
anyone.
A
film that lacks spark despite its star power Kevin Crust: LA Times
The ads promise magic, but apart from the requisite
heart-tugging finale, what it delivers is uneventful....more
Charlotte's
Web won't disgrace your childhood memories Jessica Grose:
Village Voice
Breathe easy: Gary Winick's new, live-action
Charlotte's Web pic does not screw up one of the seminal
works of American children's literature...more
Fanning
isn't quite right. Peter DeBruge: Miami Herald
No doubt the ubiquitous young lady is the first child
actor anyone pictures as Fern, but is there ever a moment in
which the audience isn't aware they're watching Dakota
Fanning in the part?...more
We would love to know what you think, sound off on the
movie message boards and let us know how you liked the movie!
A
film that lacks spark despite its star power