Review of Bridge to Terabithia (2007) by Paul A — 13 Jun 2012

I watched this movie in theatres, and I believe the marketing was the biggest reason for my disappointment. It makes comparisons to Narnia, alluding to a journey into a fantastical world, but this is nothing of the sort. In this story, the imaginary world is purely a part of the characters' imagination. Since ninety percent of the story takes place in the real world, there isn't a whole lot to be excited about in Terabithia. That being said, I watched the movie for a second time and found the truly emotional and heartwarming story buried beneath the misdirected marketing.

Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is the only boy and middle child of a very low-income family. Along with the standard issues of intermediate school, he carries a tremendous emotional weight on his shoulders, resulting from his father's pressing him into the responsibility of being a man. It isn't until he meets the free spirit of Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) that his childhood imagination is reawakened. Together, the two of them imagine the world of Terabithia. It is their adventures in Terabithia that empower them to deal with their problems in the real world and vice versa.

By the end of my second viewing, I'm less disappointed in the film. Although, there is a serious lack of development of the world of Terabithia, there is a very emotional story at the heart of the film. If you're looking for a fantasy adventure, see something else. If you're in the mood for a drama, then you might like Bridge to Terabithia.