Review of Charlotte's Web (1973) by Ben B — 31 Jul 2011

A cute and ambitious children's movie that even adults will take a liking to. Young Wilbur is a runt that has been saved by Fern ever since he was a little baby. She raised him and took care of him like he was his own child.

But things don't last forever, as Fern has to go to school. So she drops him off at her Uncle's farm, and promises Wilbur she will always come to visit him after school. But her Uncle's plans don't match up with hers.

He plans fatten the pig, and then cook him by the end of Christmas. Wilbur doesn't WANT to be cooked, so who does he turn to? An intelligent, wise spider named Charlotte, who rallys all the farm animals to help her save Wilbur.

This is a cute, ambitious, and likable children's film, and this is no doubt held in place by the faithful writing to the characters and animals of the farm. Dakota Fanning is also effective as Fern, but what really got to me was how emotionally touching this film is.

I'm watching these opening scenes, where Fern is taking care of Wilbur, feeding him, giving him a bath, sleeping next to him in her bed, and treating him like a baby, and I am literally tearing up at such an innocent and lovable little bond.

Negative effects include the parents, uncle, or any other human on screen, who seem as intentionally dumb as the sheep in this film, and some unintentional corny moments also plague this film as well.

But overall, a fantastic film filled with a fantastic story and characters. Thumbs up.