A movie tie-in that isn’t bad

The Spiderwick Chronicles is an above-average game -- for a movie tie-in, that is. Usually, games that share a movie’s title, characters and plot are hurriedly slapped together with little to offer gamers other than a way to relive the story (and earn the company a few extra bucks). These games are miserable to play and aren’t worth the time.

But Spiderwick is different from most. This simple tween-targeted game uses an effective control scheme to play its good blend of action and puzzles. The cut screens are actual footage from the film instead of the usual dismal video game renderings. And the nice selection of four different playable characters, each with his own set of skills and abilities, helps break the monotony. (Perhaps because the recently released movie -- and game -- are based on a series of books rather than a top-secret script, the game makers had more time to add the polish that is usually lacking.)

Perfect for those eager to relive the adventures of the Grace kids in their creepy new home -- especially the younger gamers the film is intended for -- Spiderwick breaks the mold.

Grade: B- (One of the better movie tie-in games).

Details: Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS platforms; $29.99-49.99; rated Everyone 10+ (animated blood, fantasy violence, mild language).

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Some corpses are livelier than this

Now this is more like what we’re used to.

The tie-in game to the hit CBS procedural with the familiar initials is so dull and lifeless, it will be a miracle if even hard-core fans of the show admit playing.

In fact, if anyone ever tells you that playing CSI: Hard Evidence is anything other than misery, check the person’s pulse, then run the other way. Only the living dead will find anything remotely interesting in this cyber quagmire.

On the hit show, cases get investigated and solved in an hour. Here, digging through boring crime scenes and inspecting every . . . little . . . thing . . . takes so long, any excitement or relief when a clue is found is replaced with frustration or anger.

The visuals are so bad, it’s impossible to tell the corpse and the coroner apart; with the exception of the fact that one wears a lab coat and the other wears a white sheet, both are lifeless.

Besides exploring crime scenes and questioning witnesses, gamers also can use a crime-solving computer to match fingerprints. Whoop-de-do!

Looking for the perfect example of a horrible money-chasing tie-in? Look no further.

Grade: D (downright dull).

Details: Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii platforms; $39.99; rated Mature (blood and gore, sexual themes, violence).