E.B. White's classic children's story comes to the screen in this live-action adaptation with an all-star voice cast. Fern Arable (Dakota Fanning) is a young girl growing up on her family's farm. When a sow gives birth to some piglets, Fern's father (Kevin Anderson) intends to do away with the runt of litter, but Fern has become attached to the little pig and persuades her father to let him live. The pig, named Wilbur (voice of Dominic Scott Kay), becomes Fern's pet, but when he grows larger, he's put in the care of Homer Zuckerman (Gary Basaraba), a farmer down the road. Fern is still able to visit Wilbur regularly, and it soon occurs to both of them that pigs tend to have a limited life expectancy on a farm, and that unless something unusual happens, Wilbur will eventually becomes someone's dinner. Charlotte, a friendly spider, hatches a plan to make Wilbur seem special enough to save by weaving messages about the "terrific" pig into her web, and she soon persuades her barnyard friends to join in her plan.
Title: Charlotte’s Web
Release: December 15, 2006
Genre: Family
MPAA Rating: G
Based On: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Writer: Susannah Grant & Karey Kirkpatrick
Director: Gary Winick
Music By: Danny Elfman
Produced By: Jordan Kerner
Distributed By: Paramount Pictures/Nickelodeon Movies
Run Time: 97 minutes
Official Site
Nickelodeon Official Site
E.B. White's story of a little spider that saved a pig's life has d
elighted everyone since 1952 when it was first published. Then in 1973, another generation experienced it a different way when was adapted into an animated musical. More than 50 years after White's book was nominated for the Newbery award, Walden Media, Paramount, and Nickelodeon teamed up to bring the world of Charlotte's Web as a live-action/ computer-animated film 
to life.The nostalgic scenery and the beautiful setting are the very best highlights of the film, besides the actors (like Dakota Fanning who plays Fern)/ voice actors. Even if at times it did remind me of Walden Media’s work on Because of Winn-Dixie. However, instead of a cute dog, somehow they are able to get you to love and care about a creepy spider (although
the fact that Julie Roberts is her voice certainly helps!) and a little “runty pig,” but then everybody loves Wilbur. The soundtrack is also wonderful as it’s done by my second favorite composer Danny Elfman (my first is the Sherman Brothers who actually composed the songs for the first animated version).The animated Charlotte’s Web by Hannah Barbara has been one of my favorite films and it has never failed to make me laugh and cry. I actually saw it way before I
read Mr. White’s marvelous book too but when I learned there was a re-make I couldn’t help but be eager to see it. Especially when I saw the names attached to the project! Julia Roberts (Charlotte), Kathy Bates (Bitsy the cow), Reba McEntire (Betsy the cow), Oprah Winfrey (Gussy Goose), John Cleese (Samuel the Sheep aka the old sheep in the book), Steve Buscemi (Templeton, The Rat), and many more too. The star power attached to the film did worry me a little but for the most part I really loved seeing the story the way the author must have originally envisioned it. Some 
of the film was made with animatronics, and you can tell at times but there are real animals too.Written so the story is "as loyal to E.B. White as [it] can possibly be" by the original screenwriter, the script was revised to add in humor that keeps the film from verging into being sickly sweet. Some of the humor was a bit distracting but never distasteful and it didn’t subtract from the emotional ending either. Wilbur (who is ironically played by almost 50 different pigs) will always be terrific in my book and Charlotte too. Actually, everybody involved in this radiant movie is terrific!
Featured Songs:
Ordinary Miracle performed by Sarah McLachlan
Links:
- Imdb.com’s page on Charlotte’s Web has some interesting trivia, links, and much, much more.
- The Charlotte’s Web Wikipedia page has lots of information about the production of the film, how it was recieved, and even a little about the soundtrack and video game.
- ReelzChannel.com's Charlotte's Web page has videos of interviews with the stars, behind the scenes, and even clips from the movie.
- There is an article at Animation World Network about the film as well.
Videos:
Official Trailer
Dakota Fanning Interview with Chuck the Movie Guy
Meet the Star of Charlotte's Web Julia Roberts Interview
Related Reviews:
Charlotte’s Web (1973)
Charlotte’s Web by EB White
I really liked this version of the story, though the book will always top any movie.
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I love Charlotte's Web and I like Dakota Fanning, so I think I'd like this movie. Great review, as always.
ReplyDeleteYou do the BEST reviews, LadyTink! So much effort and it shows!
ReplyDeleteGreat review...I love the videos...and the book....awww, what could be better!
Hugs!
I liked this movie, but the old one cannot be topped! I really like the book, too, though it has been years since I read it!
ReplyDeleteHey, Jen, my wife and I just watched Great Gatsby with Robert Redford. It totally looked like it was right up your alley. Have you reviewed it here? I could have sworn you did, but I can't find it.
ReplyDeleteFor me, Redford was great, but I really didn't like anything else about it. Mia Farrow was not what I was picturing as Daisy. Same with Bruce Dern as Tom. It was pretty faithful to the book, though.
I love Charlotte's Web! It was a favorite book and as a kid, I was so excited to watch it. I love the new version of it as well!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review!
Anna: Amen to that! This was a pretty good adaptation though.
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion: I still prefer the animated one more but Fanning does make a good Fern and I did like the voice talent in this one. Templeton is more interesting that's for sure!
The Chic Geek: Aw! Thank you so much! I was a little worried about all the extra stuff I put in.
Kailana: I recently re-read the book and loved it just as much as the first time. I agree, the first movie adaptation was the best!
Paxton: I will have to look that up :)
April: Thank you! I think they did a pretty good job with this live action version.
awwww...my daughter loved this movie. its so cute!
ReplyDeleteI remember the animated version.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
A great blog, it has a lot of useful information to me
ReplyDeleteVillage Talkies a top-quality professional corporate video production company in Bangalore and also best explainer video company in Bangalore & animation video makers in Bangalore, Chennai, India & Maryland, Baltimore, USA provides Corporate & Brand films, Promotional, Marketing videos & Training videos, Product demo videos, Employee videos, Product video explainers, eLearning videos, 2d Animation, 3d Animation, Motion Graphics, Whiteboard Explainer videos Client Testimonial Videos, Video Presentation and more for all start-ups, industries, and corporate companies. From scripting to corporate video production services, explainer & 3d, 2d animation video production , our solutions are customized to your budget, timeline, and to meet the company goals and objectives.
As a best video production company in Bangalore, we produce quality and creative videos to our clients.