First and foremost Charlotte's Web is a story about friendship and loyalty. What it means, how it makes you feel to have friends, what it's like to lose those friends. Even the rat learns. This is a wonderful story that teaches so many things while remaining entertaining. Let's put it this way. I saw this in a theater full, and I mean full, of third graders and I didn't hear a peep out of them the whole time. They were just as interested in the movie as I was. Even when Charlotte came on screen. I mean they try to make her cute and all but a spider is still a spider. So, if that is all the recommendation you need, by all means, stop reading and go buy your tickets now! For the rest of you, read on.

Let's see, this movie has a phenomenal cast of voices that reads like an awards show red carpet ceremony. You've got Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McEntire, Andre Benjamin (better known as Andre 3000 of Outkast), Thomas Haden Church, Robert Redford, Jennifer Garner, and Sam Shepard. That's not including the people you actually see! Dakota Fanning, Beau Bridges, and Ellen Burstyn are included in the cast. How can you go wrong with all this talent? Well, let me tell you. You can't. It's just not possible. Only the most hardcore fans will be able to find anything wrong with this adaptation.

(Only because they have tossed a few fart jokes in for good measure.) I'll be honest here and tell you that I haven't read this book since grade school, but I do remember the basic plot and a lot of the characters and I must say that this was superb. Check out the animation at the beginning. Just a beautiful visual style that if I remember right, captures the illustrations from the book. I may be completely wrong about that, but it has been many, many, many moons since I have read the book.

There is no point in going on about the cast except for two notes. It was great seeing Dakota Fanning actually play a child for once. I don't know about you, but the whole 30-year-old stuck in a kids body routine was getting a little stale. Not to say that she isn't good at it, just that it seems to be all we have been seeing of her. In Charlotte's Web, she plays Fern at the beginning of the end of childhood. We see her grow from a child who sneaks a pig to school, into a girl who fights tooth and nail for what she believes in. Beau Bridges is wonderful in the small amount of screen time he is given.

This may sound odd, but he is the reason I was able to let go of reality. It was a scene where Fern's mother is concerned about Fern's health and goes to see Dr. Dorian (Bridges). She says something like Fern is talking to animals and that she claims they talk back. Bridges comes back with "How do you know they don't?" or something along those lines. Anyways, he just made it easier to suspend reality for the duration of the film.

If you have kids or are just a fan of the book, go see it. It may give you a reference or two to fall back on when you have to teach your children some of those life lessons that can be difficult to explain. It could also be a great way to introduce your children to things you enjoyed as a kid. Get the book, read it to your kids. I may just pick it up to read to my nephew. And it goes without saying, grownups will feel like children again. At least for a little while.

Until Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing comes to the silver screen, keep reading.

Mitch (yes I avoided 'until pigs fly' on purpose) E.

Comments and/or questions? Email Me at mitchemerson@hotmail.com