A surprisingly robust and imaginative fantasy that is neatly and effectively grounded in real-world issues, The Spiderwick Chronicles revels in cobwebby secret rooms, underground passages, and magical creatures of all shapes and sizes. For a movie aimed squarely at kids (Nickelodeon Movies presents!), it has as many shades of gray in its depictions of good and bad as it does shades of autumnal reds and browns in its visual palette. Making the hero a divided character in the form of oppositional twins (one is nice and resourceful, the other is angry and impulsive) is a nice touch, and the film’s humor is gently raucous, if such a thing is possible. (Hollywood Jewel 16, Waco, TX)