Bridge to Terabithia
Walden Media, Buena Vista Pictures (theatrical)
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School can be a battleground for children, and 5th grader Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is no exception. He is a farm boy with four sisters and parents without the resources financially or emotionally to nurture him, two bullies who taunt him daily, and nobody to call a friend. Also a budding artist, Jess is lonely and his days are, if not miserable, not exactly something to look forward to.

Leslie Burke's (AnnaSophia Robb) family has just moved from the city, right next door to Jess. Leslie is an only child with an active imagination. Noticeably different from the other children in dress and demeanor, Leslie stands out in a bad way. The two form a fast bond when Leslie beats Jess in a race and is declared the ‘fastest kid in fifth grade'.

Their differences do not overshadow their similarities. Both are creative. Both are looking for a friend. The two find a rope swing just over a creek and despite Jess' initial protest, they swing on it and enter a forest. There they find an old tree-house and a place they soon declare as Terabithia. Terabithia is their solace beyond the confines of their ordinary lives. It is here that their imaginations soar, with visions of trolls, warthog-type beasts animals, and furry birds.

At the risk of sounding completely illiterate, I will admit that I knew absolutely nothing about Bridge to Terabithia before I watched the movie. So my review here is based solely on the film as its own entity rather than the film's merit as an adaptation from Katherine Paterson's novel on which it is based. What I gathered from posters and previews was that there were fantastical elements, so I expected something like Narnia, a magical world laden with special effects. Imagine how disappointed I was when I watched the movie and kept waiting for something to happen. Don't make the same mistake I did.

Bridge to Terabithia is about friendship and the power of imagination, not bizarre creatures in a mystical land. It is about the connection between two friends, and how that links them to an imaginary world that's all their own. The film is really about the way one feels comfortable enough to be his or her authentic self with someone. It is about growth in formative years, relationships with peers and family, and it is about life and loss – all rather heady themes for a kid's movie.

The fantasy never overwhelms the children's reality, which is both a disappointment and a necessity to remain true to the crux of the film's message. And the film's climax more than makes up for the slow start. As a Disney movie, it will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. Just don't watch it when you're tired, or you might fall asleep like I almost did.

Video: How's it look?
Widescreen 1.85:1, Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions (clear and crisp for beautiful vista shots)

Audio: How's it sound?
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (great for sweeping orchestrals), French & Spanish Language Tracks, French & Spanish Subtitles

Extras: What additional goodies are included?

• "Keep Your Mind Wide Open" (music video performed by AnnaSophia Robb – she is multitalented and could very well be the next J.Lo?)
• Backstage Disney Behind the Book: The Themes of Bridge to Terabithia (15 minute featuring interviews with teachers, cast members, and author, on the book's themes and relationships)
• Digital Imagination: Bringing Terabithia to Life (6 minute feature about Weta Digital which really makes one appreciate the details in the special effects)
• Audio Commentary #1 - Director Gabor Csupo, Writer Jeff Stockwell, and Producer Hal Lieberman (fairly standard in terms of audio commentaries) #2 – Actor Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Rob, and Producer Laura Levine (extremely honest and entertaining commentary. The young stars comment on the number of takes for certain scenes, crack jokes about on-set antics, and show how smart and articulate they are. It was great of Disney to allow their voices to be heard and offers a nice change from most commentaries.

Closing Thoughts
The preteen actors who play leads Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) and Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb) are going to be superstars if their performances in Bridge to Terabithia are any indication of things to come. The complexity and clarity of their emotional life (especially for Hutcherson who runs through a gamut of emotions), their "chemistry" as friends, and the way AnnaSophia Robb lights up the screen, are clear signs of their imminent stardom. In fact, all the kids are amazing actors, putting their adult costars to shame. You should watch this film for that reason alone. It is also a great family movie, just be sure your children are capable of sitting still.


Review brought to you by our friend Anh. Anh Chu is a writer, preditor (tv speak for producer/editor) and not actually a bodily function like her name implies. You can reach her at choochoochoo@hotmail.com.