Charlotte's Web
An all-star cast voices a heartwarming adaptation of the classic children's book.
With the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Robert Redford and Julia Roberts making up just a part of an impressive voice cast, Charlotte's Web shines as much with its star power as it does with its faithful retelling of the E.B. White book that has been read by elementary school students for decades.
The story follows the life of Wilbur, the little pig saved from the dinner table by the young farm girl Fern, played by the highly lauded Dakota Fanning. During his time in the barn, Wilbur befriends Charlotte (Roberts), the socially outcast spider who leads the rest of the dysfunctional farm animals in helping save Wilbur from future butchery. She spins webs with words seeming to praise Wilbur, drawing curiosity and admiration from people everywhere and making Wilbur's owners begin to second-guess their ideas about the young pig. Charlotte's determination and loyalty inspires unprecedented camaraderie among the animals and teaches Wilbur the simplest - but most significant - life lessons about friendship.
Gary Winick's adaptation of Charlotte's Web remains true to the book, dispensing with the razzle dazzle of contemporary children's movies and allowing the story's simplicity to move the film along. While each of the celebrity voices (which also includes Reba McEntire, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates and John Cleese), it is Roberts' soothing portrayal of Charlotte that masterfully builds the story's emotion right up to its conclusion.
Written by: Kevin Manahan
Reviewers Rating: 8.5
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Added: 18-Jan-2007
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