Review of Charlotte's Web (2006) by Franklinc. — 25 Dec 2006

Worth seeing, even if you don't have kids. Kids in the theater certainly loved it and were emotionally involved; one child cried out, "I don't want Charlotte to die!" The story's emotion even put a lump in my throat, maybe more because I remembered how I felt when my 3rd grade teacher read us the book.

My main criticism is with Julia Roberts' performance; it's horrible. In Charlotte's first few appearances, you can really tell that she is reading dialogue rather than acting. Her voice is a miss-match for Charlotte, lacking in undertones of wisdom and sincerity that I imagined in Charlotte's voice.

The sense that she is merely reading dialogue fades a bit, but never leaves. Otherwise, a spendid movie.