"Charlotte's Web" (2006) - Children & Family
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Essie Davis, Gary Basaraba. And the voices of: Julia Roberts, Dominic Scott Kay, Steve Buscemi.
Rating: G
Rating: 5 Stars
Yes, I'm a sucker for children's movies, but I'm also a tough critic when it comes to flicks for the little people. I usually look for message, quality, entertaining and educational value and the overall seriousness of the people involved in making the movie. Just because it's a movie for children, doesn't mean corners can be cut and the audience should leave the theater short changed. E.B. White's timeless tale about the importance and beauty of friendship comes alive masterfully in this first non-animated version of "Charlotte's Web". Dakota Fanning proves yet again what an accomplished actress she is and I dearly hope she stays with us on the silver screen for a long, long time. I only mentioned above three of the famous actors who lent their voices for this great project, but there's a whole galaxy of other stars who provided the voice for all the animals in the barn: Ophrah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, John Cleese, Kathy Bates, Reba MacIntire, Robert Redford, Thomas Hayden Church, Andre Benjamin. Julia Roberts infuses the kind and yes, adorable (they manage to make a spider adorable!) Charlotte with a melodious voice that speaks of promises kept and enduring love (and yes, I did cry when Charlotte passes away: I dare you not to!). Dominic Scott Kay as the voice of Wilbur the pig is just brilliant and you want to take him home with you. The movie is entertaining and beautifully made. The filmmakers' dedication for this project comes through as you watch a tale about ordinary creatures transformed by the extraordinary power of love. Make sure you watch all the segments in the "Special Features" portion of the disc to see how they created Fern's farm, used real and digital animals, and how much fun was for the actors who performed the creatures' voices.
Next movie: "Under the Greenwood Tree".
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