Director: Mark Waters, PG

Stars: Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Sarah Bolger, Nick Nolte

Rental/retail DVD

If, as a recent study indicated, 10 per cent of Harry Potter fans are experiencing drug-like withdrawal symptoms, then this is more than a fun film – it is a public service.

When his family moves to a creepy mansion, Jared (Highmore) finds a book containing all the secrets of faerieland. But watch out – Nolte, only slightly more grizzled as an evil troll than in his drunk-driving mugshot, is out to steal the book and conquer faerieland. The action scenes are thrilling, but the film never loses its grounding in character, thanks to a tight script co-written by the indie master John Sayles, and excellent performances from Highmore, adopting a credible American accent to play twin brothers, and Bolger, as his sword-swinging sister.

DVD extras: Three featurettes

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