Charlotte's Web

Remaining faithful to the book, Gary Winick's film is that rare beast: a well-crafted family film that appeals to all ages, and might even have a few parents sniffling over their popcorn.

Charlotte's Web seamlessly melds live action and computer animation to bring the animals to life. The technical wizardry never gets in the way of the story - the touching friendship between a spider and a pig.

When the spider, who is initially shunned by the other animals, tells her friend: "You made me your friend and in doing so, you made a spider beautiful to everyone in that barn," we try to swallow that large lump in our throat.

Tears are almost unavoidable though, as Winick and screenwriters Susannah Grant and Karey Kirkpatrick shepherd the relationship to its sad, yet logical, conclusion, reminding us all that nothing lasts forever: "It's the natural cycle of life."

The story begins with a little girl, Fern Arable, who is horrified when she discovers her father is about to kill the runt of a newborn litter.

"If I was born small, would you kill me?" she said. "Of course not," replied her father.

So Fern rescues the little pig, christening him Wilbur and vows to take care of the animal herself. Fern leaves her new pet in the barn, home to the farm's other livestock.

Life seems idyllic for Wilbur until Templeton the rat cruelly lets slip that Wilbur will end up on the butcher's block. Seeking help from a clever spider called Charlotte, who has a magical way with words, the porker tries to avoid the chop and prove to the local community that he is indeed a very 'humble' and extraordinary pig.

Amog those supplying the voices are Julia Roberts, John Cleese and Robert Redford.

Charlotte's Web is a real treat: smartly written yet not overly saccharine, Winick's film gently tugs the heartstrings, encouraging us to fall in love with the characters.