“Bridge To Terabithia” (Walt Disney Pictures)
Good Film But Has A Sad Twist
“Bridge To Terabithia” is a new Disney film that is aimed at the entire family. But a sad twist in the middle of the movie may make it a little too intense for smaller children. For all else it is a heart-warming tale of childhood friendship. AnnaSophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson provide winning performances as the two lead children.
The film tells the story of Jesse Aarons (Hutcherson), an eleven year old boy living in a family with four sisters. His mom (Katrina Cerio) is a stay at home parent while his father (Robert Patrick) raises vegetables and works at the hardware store. Times are tough so the family does not have a lot of extra money.
Jesse lives in a fantasy world of sorts. He likes to draw super heroes and his a talent for painting. At school he is a fast runner but that is his only claim to fame. He is constantly being bullied by older kids who see him as a willing victim. The only time he tends to stand up to the bullies is when his younger sister Belle (Bailee Madison) is being picked on.
One day a new student arrives in his class. Her name is Leslie Burke (Robb) and she lives down the road from Jesse and his family. Leslie immediately decides that she and Jesse will be friends. She invites him to go into the woods with her and while there she begins to create a wonderful fantasy world she calls “Terabithia.” Leslie is so good with her imagination that Jesse begins to see all the wonderful things she sees in her mind.
Each day Jesse and Leslie escape into the world of Terabithia and wage wars against the demons there. They also build a fortress where they can leave all their troubles behind. There are dangers in Terabithia but Jesse and Leslie are the reigning powers and can vanquish anything and everything that challenges them.
The movie is enchanting as it goes into the imaginary world the children inhabit, but when the reality of the world penetrates the beauty and tragedy happens then the movie takes a serious turn. This is when the smaller children might become confused.
Robb was the young star of “Because of Winn Dixie” and Hutcherson starred in “Zathura.” Both are becoming solid actors and lend real credibility to their roles in this film. They act like normal children and not as actors playing children. Bailee Madison is also a scene-stealer as young Belle.
The movie is rated PG for profanity, mild violence and some adult situations.
“Bridge To Terabithia” is based on the children’s novel by Katherine Paterson. It is a movie full of tender moments and sweet happenings. For pre-teens and above it should be a film they will enjoy over and over again.
I scored “Bridge To Terabithia” a not happily ever after 6 out of 10.
