A Familial "Web"

Growing up as a little Roxster I had two favorite books: "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" and "Charlotte's Web" (I guess I had a thing for rodents, apparently). Anywho, so I was very excited to pull out my inner kid and go see the screen adaptation of "Charlotte's Web." I had heard some buzz about the movie but wasn't exactly sure what to expect from it. I know, of course, that it HAD to be starring Dakota Fanning because she is the star that is getting the most work in Hollywood -- male or female, young or old. She really is a brilliant actor and I was glad to see that her "Fern" wasn't updated into a snotty little know-it-all who needed to learn a lesson about not-everything's-about-you. Instead she was a sweet, likable but stubborn kid who felt more at home with her friends in the barn than her friends on the playground (can you relate?). Julia Roberts (who appears to be coming out of hiding now) plays "Charlotte" -- that web-spinning, not-so-cute spider who puts a lot of spin into saving "Wilbur" (the runt pig that Fern saves as a baby and, along with the other barn animals, is trying to prevent him from becoming Christmas dinner!). You are practically hypnotized by Ms. Roberts' voice which is a perfect blend of soothing, tender, yet practical. The animation is unbelievable -- wait until you see the first close-up of the spider (amazing!). The story is sweet and simple: friends are important and life is life. It was a little slow in places but I also had just gotten back from Vegas so could have still been having issues from that (can't be a Roxstar all the time). However, the movie is perfect family "fair" for this holiday season (I mean, you don't want to miss Kathy Bates and Reba McIntyre playing farting cows, or Steve Buscemi playing himself, do you?). For family fun, TTGP gives is a 4.5 pack out of six diet Pops. Now, "Eragon" is a whole other story...