A magic book and its secrets are at stake in the kid-friendly "The Spiderwick Chronicles," which overcomes early issues to deliver a fun, frantic fantasy flick.

Arthur Spiderwick (David Strathairn, "The Bourne Ultimatum") learns the secrets of the various creatures who live stealthily among humans, and compiles them into a book. He promptly disappears, leaving a young daughter with the creatures.

About 80 years later the Grace family, the last living descendants of the Spiderwicks, moves into the house, and young Jared (Freddie Highmore) senses that something is wrong. Why is there salt on the windowsills? Why do toadstools circle the house?

He soon finds the answer: Spiderwick's book holds secrets that, in the wrong hands, can be dangerous.

Those hands are attached to the body of the ogre Mulgrath (Nick Nolte), who wants to use the secrets within the tome to destroy humanity. He has a legion of goblins, trolls, gnomes and assorted other creatures to help him in his evil quest.

Of course, it's up to Jared, his twin brother Simon (Highmore, pulling double duty) and big sister Mallory (Sarah Bolger) to keep the book out of Mulgrath's hands.

Hollow characterization mars the film's opening, as the kids' arguments seem to be serving the plot rather than the characters.

Mallory, in particular, seems to hate Jared and makes sure to say so loudly and repeatedly.

In turn, Jared is sullen to a comical degree, and suffers from Hollywood's old "you NEVER believe me" syndrome.

And bad editing fumbles Highmore's Hayley Mills act, making for a few awkward scenes.

Once the film gets moving, though, it doesn't stop, and there are several moments that strain the film's PG rating. Giant monsters attack, chase, scratch and bite the children; the intensity might be a little too much for younger children.

Still, the action is at times exhilarating, and the out-of-nowhere climax is wicked nifty.

Seth Rogen ("Knocked Up") plays the Robin Williams role (sans irritation), voicing the bird-loving Hogsqueal. Martin Short provides the pipes as the pygmyish Thimbletack, a honey-devouring Lloyd Bridges Mini Me creature that "Hulks up" when angry.

And watch for Andrew McCarthy, who may or may not be reprising his role from "Weekend at Bernie's," as the absentee patriarch of the family.

As kid-centric fantasy films go, this doesn't quite reach the heights of the best of the genre. It's similar in theme to the first "Narnia" picture, but lacks the scope and epic feel of that movie. Neither does it have the effects budget or the narrative chops of "Harry Potter" or the "Lord of the Rings" films.

But the kids will love it. Adults will get a kick out of it, too.

Joe's verdict

In a word: Fun.

Rated: PG for scary creature action and violence, peril and some thematic elements.

Running time: 96 minutes.

Starring: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, David Strathairn.

Director: Mark Waters.