Based on the Newbery Medal winning book by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia is Walden Media’s big screen retelling of the children’s classic.
Starring: AnnaSophia Robb, Josh Hutcherson, Zooey Deschanel, Lauren Clinton, Bailee MadisonDirected by: Carter B. Smith
Release Date: February 16th, 2007
Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Adaptation
Running Time: 95 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG for thematic elements including bullying, some peril and mild language.
Distributors: Disney
Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) finds a new friend in the hippie punk-girl next door Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb), in a world where seemingly everyone at school is a mean spirited bully. When reality isn’t delivering, the two children create a fantasy land called Teribithia, deep in their backyard forrest.
Zooey Deschanel seems taylor made for the part of Ms. Edmonds, the music teacher who comes into Jess’ life and inspires. It brings back memories of that unconventional teacher who has no doubt stepped into all our childhood education, and greatly influenced our dreams. I’m sure we all have one of those teachers.
Annasophia Robb has a magical smile, and delivers a promising enthusiastic performance. You can see that this girl has a future. Bailee Madison is naturally innocent as Jess’ little sister Hannah.
Unlike Pan’s Labyrinth, the fantasy sequences are unimaginative, derivative, and lacking. They serve as more of a distraction than a magical interlude. Some of the special effects are unbelievably bad, including one chase scene where the kids are clearly running on a treadmill in front of a green screen. The film is false advertised for the almost non-existant fantasy elements. The dialogue is also painfully stiff.
Stereotypically, Bridge has been infused with a a story-line influenced by it’s religious right owners, the Anschutz Film Group. In one sequence Jess drags Leslie to church and they have a conversation about how God will or won’t damn you to hell if you don’t or do believe in him. Of course this conversation comes back later in the film, but to what purpose?
The ending offers a twist that may be too much for smaller children. It seems thrown in for almost no reason. I still wonder what it’s supposed to mean? What is the point? What are they trying to say? It seems like a mushed mess of messages that don’t add up to much other than may-be the evil ogre isn’t bad after all?
May-be the film’s true message lies in the idea that we may have lost the magic of imagination in a world filled with movies, television and the internet? If so, they probably should have left the book alone.
/Film Rating: 5.5 out of 10
February 17th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
The bridge to terabithia was by far the best movie I have seen in years the movie was great but what I found most interesting was after the movie, nearly everyone was wiping tears off their face, and everyone I heard talking about said they loved and were definitely going to see it again, and I completely agree with them!! As I watched I fell in love with Leslie burke and was crushed when she died, but as the rest of the movie seems sad, young jess makes the ending as heart warming as possibly can be!!
February 18th, 2007 at 3:12 am
I saw this movie last night, of course, thinking it would have more of the creatures in it like it displayed. It did not but honestly it was a great film, I’ve seen reviews saying it’s not a good movie, blah blah blah. They don’t know what they are talking about, and the part that this review claims is ‘pointless’, they clearly aren’t looking deep enough to find the meaning. Before it was a place just for Jess and Leslie, then finaly it became Jess and his little sisters. There are serveral lessions to learn from this film that mean adults have forgotten about, can you find them?
February 18th, 2007 at 11:31 am
i agree, but no i cant find them
February 18th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
I saw this movie with my 8 year old son. I loved it. He hated it. He was very disappointed as he felt that the movie was going to be more like Narnia or Harry Potter and the creatures would be more a part of the movie. I had read the book as a 6th grader and remember loving it and crying hysterically at the end. Therefore I was more prepared about what the movie would be. I do not recommend taking your child to see this without discussing the ending first. It is a tramatic thing and the movie does a nice job in just sort of mentioning the death and not making it too dramatic. Dealing with death after is a good message for your child.
February 18th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I went to bridge of tarabithia last night and was very disappointed. I didn’t expect leslie to die and I thought it ruined the entire movie. I also thought that the advertisements were misleading. In the advertisements it made the film look like an inocent childrens movie but to me it had to much adult content for a small child. Personally I don’t think the movie was worth the price of the admission.
February 18th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Yeah, Suprisingly I cried a bit at the end too, even though I did see and older version of the movie and I was expecting it.
February 18th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
i no, it was so sad, but i didnt no it was a remake? ya at the end i was on the virge of tears and saw sum big biker dude come out of it cryin
February 18th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Seriously? But I Disagree With Lynn, I Think It was worth the prices of the admittion besides how would they end the movie without a climax in the film?
February 18th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
As a 47 year old adult I must say that I not only agree with this website author’s review but that I also found this film very deeply disturbing on a whole cadre of issues to say the least. In fact, I have never written any comments EVER before on any movie, giving virtually every film I have ever seen I have given the benefit of the doubt even when poor, but on this film I feel that I cannot remain silent. Particularly since it’s done nothing for me but give me a restless sleepless night.
First of all this film is NOT anything like what it was being advertised and billed as. If you’re expecting a great fantasy and adventure tale from this film then forget it. What fantasy scenes are given in the previews are virtually the entirety of what is depicted in the film. In fact, I would consider this to be the greatest advertising hoax ever perpetrated by the film industry on the public. And I say that as a devoted fan of the fantasy world. It’s not that the fantasy scenes are truly horrible, in fact I felt they were rather good, it’s just that there’s so little of it, and it was the way that the fantasy world was so ultimately used that I found to be one of the disturbing issues about this film.
What this film is is a really pointless tragedy story. And I would definitely recommend to adults to NOT take children to this. I did. I took my 10 year old nephew and a friend of his to see it and all three of us came away in a state of consternation. And it was evident that it was the same for the bulk of the rest of the audience as well. I attended a matinee on the second day of the film’s showing and it was packed with little kids and their parents. And I do mean little kids. I didn’t actually see a teenager in the whole audience and they’re the ones who would most likely have been the ones to read the book. Perhaps that alone says something, I don’t know given that I haven’t read the book but now most assuredly won’t. I would also NOT recommend this movie to anyone who is or has suffered any type of stress disorder or who has lost a child. In fact, I feel that if you are of a sensitive nature this film is rather traumatizing. Why? Because the film does do a great job of pulling you into loving the character of Leslie who has a free, independent, and incredibly positive nature even in the face of adversity, but, then gets her life pointlessly snuffed out. It leaves the viewer in a state of weeping shock and searching for some relevant meaning to the whole story.
What really leaves the whole thing questionable is that, first, it’s never really resolved as to whether or not the world of Terabithia has any real substance to it or whether it’s just the imaginings of children, and secondly, that the other main character, Jesse, is living in a state of total denial after Leslie’s death. This is more than evident when he makes the statement to his music teacher following Leslie’s death, “I think the next time we go to the museum we should invite Leslie.” Well, his denial isn’t the only one. It’s the same for those viewing the movie too. I kept wondering if they were going to bring her back and just how’d they do it. I expected that she would at least be seen once again in this ‘real’ or imaginary world of Terabithia. But no, not even there.
And it’s because of this unresolved question about Terabithia’s substance that makes Jesse’s last actions questionable too. He builds a bridge to Terabithia and that action really is a tribute to the spirit of his deceased friend Leslie. And one may perhaps construe that with such action he has overcome his grief, BUT, THAT IS REALLY COMPLETE CONJECTURE ON THE PART OF THE VIEWER AND IS LEFT AS A COMPLETE UNKNOWN! It can be said just as easily, particularly if Terabithia is nothing BUT pure imagination, that he is living in even deeper denial! And that is exactly what makes the film so pointless.
If the message here is that we should live in a state of fantasy when we experience denial over traumatic events then I really feel that is a very unhealthy reaction which in severe enough cases could even lead to destabilization. Anyone who has experienced trauma in life knows that we must make the most of it, that we must go on, that we must believe in the goodness of life, and that we must continue to grow spiritually to become more than we currently are. There are at times events in real life that we each struggle with that have no real answers or meaning to them. Perhaps the only meaning and resultant growth is in the struggle itself. BUT, we get enough of this in the real world. The purist point in good stories, whether in book form or movie, is to give us some form of ideal, viewpoint, or revelation that we can apply to real life in at least some small sense. All I came away with in this movie was an overwhelming feeling of sadness, and a dose of hopelessness and despair.
One thing I personally think is certain. If there is a viewpoint to this movie, that of PERHAPS Jesse overcoming his grief, if he even did, don’t expect young children to have the capacity to see it by “reading between the lines.” I believe the vast majority of them will come away with exactly what I heard a boy of about 12 years say after the movie, “I can’t believe Leslie died.” And no one had a response to his statement either. Everyone was saddened. In fact, one can generally gauge a good movie by how many people linger right after the very last scene. I’ve never seen such a hasty and solemn departure from a movie house. Everyone was up immediately to go out before the film’s credits even got rolling.
Shock value? The simple eliciting of an emotional response? Is that what sells these days and is considered good even when pointless? Is that the acid test? If so, I think that’s a really sad statement. I think that if this film is a monetary success it will only be so because it’s advertising appealed to the craving for fantasy people have. And perhaps that says something about us because it seems that we’re only too glad to pay attention to everything we can get regarding fantasy and yet quite rather callous towards our own fantastic planet.
Never again will I trust Disney. In fact, I’m rather angry with them because I think this film has every potential to confuse small children. For me, with Bridge to Terabithia they just crushed in one fell swoop over 1/2 a century of good messages in the films they’ve been involved with. If there’s a point to this story then it should have been made plain for young and old alike. Of whatever caliber of intellect. PARTICULARLY GIVEN ITS RATING. And given that, I do not believe they deserve the benefit of the doubt on this film. What is Disney doing?
February 18th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I saw the movie last night and was sadly shocked and disappointed with the ending, and found myself asking why Leslie? I know everyone has had to deal with a janis in real life and her turn for the better was heartwarming. Afterwards, everyone was still crying. I thought the special effects could have been better. I think the ad’s for the movie were a little misleading on that part. I felt like the ad’s were more like Narnia or Harry Potter but it was in fact a real tear-jerker that was totally unexpected. I just dont understand why they had to kill off Leslie, her sparkling smile and eyes & the character she brought to the movie is what I felt like really made the whole thing. I hope to see her in more movies as well as the little girl who played MaeBelle, just adorable.
February 18th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I agree with Wes 100%. My daughter 5, has been watching the previews since they have started and has been begging us to take her. She even kept her room clean to go! My husband and I were expecting a Narnia type of film (which she loved). As the movie went further into the story line, my daughter kept asking when “terebithia” was going to be really be seen. I could tell she was starting to get board. Then when Leslie dies, both my husband and I spent the remainder of the movie mentally preparing ourselves for the inevitable questions that were going follow. I know that often times a good sign that a movie was well written when the lights come on and grown men are crying. What can of sign is it when the lights come on after a “DISNEY” movie and little children are crying? I warned my sister not to take my 9 year old niece to see it. Not only does the movie dive into very sensitive subjects, but I think that for the most part, kids will find it boring and not the fantasy adventure the previews make it out to be.
February 18th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
I just saw the movie today. I had read the book a couple of weeks before and I even got what it was saying. I may be young but I understood the whole aspect of it. I went online and read more about it just to make sure I got it right and I was. The whole point of the movie is to show how one person can change almost everything. In the beginning of the book Jess was just an outcast who drew all the time and had no friends. After he met leslie he made another friend who turned out to be the school bully, he stood up to himself more when he punched that kid, and he showed his drawings more than he had before. If I recall when someone saw his drawings at the beggining of the movie he would put them away. But ever since she came he had been more lineant on it and even hung them on his wall. I really liked the movie.
February 19th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Today i just saw this movie and at the begging I thought ooh man I rather go to the next theater over and watch ghost rider , but when the movie started and I got into it some more I thought maybe this is’nt bad after all but I got somwhat board.then as they said the tragic words “leslie’s dead” I just thought there has to be some thing else maybe the evil creatures captured her and made it look like she drowend.I just kept hoping and tried to keep my tears back.As it got latter into the movie I just Knew she’s not coming back. To my self I’m like WHAT KIND OF DISNEY MOVIE IS THIS!!!! I thought the advertisments were so misleading it showed kids that this was about kindness and facing your problems and all kinds of sweet things kids will like. It was so shocking I just wanted to walk out of the movie and I think Disney has lost many peoples trust in good movies definetly mine.how could this be a movie for kids were the parent swears at the kid and Jess’s best friend dies and he just shuts himself off to everyone around him and I can’t stand that.How could disney do this to the viewers.I know that some people will like this but you would have to understand Why? Yet i do not understand it my self .even when I was in the car think about how it was and my brother asking constaintly about leslie I just said I don’t know.If you think about it the movie just dies when leslie dies.So it feels like some one just punched you in the stomach and the air won’t come back and now when the previews come on for it I can just think “you gotta be kidding me”I wouldn’t recomed this for many people if you don’t like tear jerkers see somthing good and don’t waste your money and see that movie.I learned that before I see a movie i’ll at the reviews before I see it at least a disney movie .(where is Disney going)
February 19th, 2007 at 9:33 am
I took my 6 year old son this weekend before I read any reviews. The little guy was in tears and completely understood. We were expecting to see Leslie in Terabithia at the end. I enjoyed the movie even though Disney completely deceived us with the trailers. If you ask my son if he enjoyed the movie his answer is a big fat NO.
February 19th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Yeah I was expecting to see her pop-up in terebethia too, maybe a good twist like her spirit stayed in there when Jess believed or something interesting like that. And technically the previews weren’t misleading, they made you think there was gonna be more imagination scene but they never said exactly, it’s just to help catch the attention of the audiance you can’t say alot of other film haven’t done this either because they have.
February 20th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
I not only saw the movie trailer and the TV spots for this movie before going to it but also visited Disney’s official website beforehand and I believe it was completely misleading. “Brimming with fantastical creatures, palaces and beautiful forests, the world of Terabithia is brought to life…”, “An incredible heartwarming adventure”, “A fantasy/adventure story”, “A land they brought to life and the creatures they awakened have unleashed a power beyond their control. Now, they’re the only ones who can save the world they created and solve the mystery that will reveal their destiny”, “#1 Family Movie of the Year”, and “Rated PG: for thematic elements including bullying, some peril and mild language.” These are all quotes from the website.
“Terebithia brought to life”? We see so little of Terebithia that it hardly even has a life.
“Creatures they awakened have unleashed a power beyond their control”? Since viewing the movie I’ve visited several of the book’s and film critic’s websites. Many indicate the gist of it is about creative imagination. Imagination is not something “beyond control” and “awakening” something indicates it has a pre-existence prior to encountering it.
“Solve the mystery that will reveal their destiny”? What mystery? And a destiny involving death?
“Some peril”? Good night, a person actually dies in this. That can hardly be described as “some” peril. And that makes the movie “heartwarming”? Granted, there were some heartwarming events in it but overall the movie is actually heartrending. And that makes it the “#1 Family Movie of the Year”? Not for me it doesn’t.
And nobody needs to die in any movie or book for that matter if the whole point is to show how one person can change almost everything. I think it was evident to everyone that Leslie was having a positive influence on Jesse but she certainly didn’t need to die for that message to be conveyed.
No, for me this was the most blatant example of “bait and switch” advertising that I’ve ever seen in my life. And in at least the merchandise industry such advertising tactics are in fact illegal. At one website I visited there was even an interview with the Director of the movie and he himself stated that he didn’t understand why the movie was being advertised in the way it was.
This makes me question what the Disney people themselves think about the movie. Would they be engaging in such advertising tactics if they felt that the movie could stand on it’s own two feet with the truth of what it’s really about?
Just because other filmmakers may be doing similar things in their advertising doesn’t make it right. Is it ok to be a thief just because there are other thieves?
And it really tarnishes Disney’s image. They’ve traditionally been known as family-oriented and have had the public’s trust. But not mine any longer.
What will we get next? Here’s an analogy that is truly horrific but it’s exactly how I feel about much of the circumstances surrounding Terebithia: Are we next going to get a movie created by Disney that gets advertised as a war story involving battleships on the ocean and the trials and tribulations of the men involved only to find out upon viewing it that it actually turns out to be an imaginative two-year old in the bathtub playing with his toyships who ultimately ends up tragically drowning in that bathtub? And then that being called “Entertainment for the Whole Family?” I know that’s harsh but that’s how I feel about how Disney advertised this.
It’s personal for me. It’s personal because I took my 10-year old nephew and his friend to this. I fully expected this to be a fantasy story and Disney gave it every indication of that by calling it a “fantasy/adventure” story. But it isn’t. It’s a drama tragedy.
Why is it so personal for me? It’s personal because that’s what I expected and I wanted to get my nephew away from the real world for awhile. I wanted to take him to a movie that he could find entertaining and enjoy. But instead we were confronted with a story holding a too-real-to-life tragic death, not something of just pure fantasy.
My nephew’s father, my brother-in-law, died at age 39 from a really tragic disease just a little over two years ago. My nephew was only almost eight then. And so he doesn’t have his dad. When his dad died he became terrified that he might lose his mom too (my sister). He clung to her like glue, wouldn’t even hardly let her out of his sight except when my mom was taking care of him. He did the same thing to my mom when he was just with her. He’s improved immensely thanks to Kyle, his friend, but the last thing he needed was the storyline of this movie. And this is the kind of thing that is assuredly occurring all across America with this movie right now thanks to this total blindsiding by Disney!!! There will be families going to this who have had similar tragic events occur and won’t be expecting the reminders that this movie will give them. Because it was misleadingly advertised!! And I will most particularly feel for those families who go to this movie who have lost young children.
We shouldn’t all have to read the book that was the inspiration of any movie in order to keep from being blindsided by the movie’s advertising.
I think this is something we should all be concerned about, whether we liked the movie or not. Because if the film industry is allowed to continue it, particularly Disney, then we will all be taken in at some point, whether it was by the advertising of this movie or some other yet to come. And the only real justification they have for doing it is to increase their profit margins. The compromising of ethics in order to do that constitutes Greed.
I am planning on writing the Board of Directors of Disney’s shareholders about this. I hope you consider it too.
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
no i think that is a terrible idea, the trailer showed a minute of an hour and ahalf lonf show, all they did was pick the exciting parts, they were just advertising smartly, the only thing they said that would seem misleading, was tht there would be more adventure than u ever IMAGINED? imagination is wat the movie is about, the 2 kids imagine a place of adventure. Think about it!!
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:51 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SvqEIKP4t8 go to this link and u can see the trailer for your self
February 22nd, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Oh Brandon,
I’ve already seen every trailer and TV spot that there is on Disney’s website. YouTube’s trailer is only one from Disney.
Look, I’m not attacking you personally at all. Not even. It’s perfectly ok if you liked the movie. Many people did and that’s perfectly ok.
In truth, I really liked most of the movie even though it was misrepresented and I was even willing to forgive Disney that up until the tragic death of Leslie and how it seemed so pointless to me. At that point, for me, the whole movie just died, just as Becky states in her comments.
And it was at that point that Disney’s approach to it’s advertising of the movie really sickened me. Because it delivered a totally traumatic blow to many people’s emotions that was absolutely unexpected due to the trailers, TV spots, and other advertising. Also the fact that the ratings gave no hint of the sensitive nature of the film whatsoever.
The truth is that when I view the various websites there are parents reporting that the death of Leslie in the movie is having some really traumatizing effects on their children and I just feel that that responsibility really does lie with Disney because of how they represented the movie. They really shouldn’t have advertised it the way they did. The highlights they focused on really do give the impression that the whole movie was one of a fantasy tale.
During my life I have seen many Disney movies, I actually grew up with them every Sunday evening, and there are many of them that also have sad events to tell such as “Old Yeller”, an old movie of theirs that you would probably really like but has a really sad ending. The difference is that Disney didn’t engage in any misleading advertising back then that gave the public the impression that it was something that it really wasn’t.
You know, I’m wondering if Disney hasn’t already yanked it’s advertising off of the TV. I haven’t seen this movie advertised for a number of days now in my area even though it’s really only been playing for less than a week now. If so, it’s probably because they’ve already heard from many in the public about how they feel about how it was advertised. Or it could be that the local stations in my area yanked the advertisements because they feel the same way I do.
I’m just really glad that you haven’t suffered the same effects to your emotions from this movie that many other people have reported. That’s a testament to your emotional strength and is commendable as long as a person isn’t heartless. And I know that’s not the case with you because of your earlier comment about how you were saddened too when Leslie died and was on the verge of tears. And if you had cried that would have been ok too. I did. It’s when such emotion becomes overriding that it’s a problem and some of the parents are stating that it is affecting their children for lengthy periods of time.
Again, It’s ok that you liked the movie, Brandon. It really is.
Namaste’ Brandon (which means, “I Honor the Spirit Within You, Brandon”)
Wes
February 23rd, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Yo, dis movie… was the shit. It doesnt matter what all you people say about how the movie was misrepped or watever. Some people liked it and some people didnt. I just didnt think that it would end like that with Leslie dying. It was hella unexpected. Now its time to bust this coney yall.
February 24th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
gary i agree with u, it was the unexpectedness ( if thts a word) of leslie’s death that made the movie better, i didnt want her to die, but up until her death i thought it was just gunna be another run of the mill fantasy movie like harry potter or narnia, but tht death gave it a deeper meaning, and the way jess acted after the death gave the movie more depth!… but dont talk like a gangster
February 24th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
And im only 14, my sister is only 6 and we both loved the movie, and none of us were affected by the suden shock of leslie’s death!!
February 24th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Um, wow, Wes, that was an impressive rant but I think you’re completely missing the point of the movie. It was beautifully done and stayed completely true to the book. Heck, I *knew* Leslie was going to die and I cried my eyes out. It was excellent, and I’m glad it wasn’t as cutesy fantasy-esque as the trailers made it out to be. That would have been awful. Yes, she died and it’s horrible and sad, but I think there was hope also, because she was a light in Jesse’s life, and I think he was happier at the end, even though his best friend was gone. (Oh, and for anyone who’s interested, the author wrote the book as a kind of catharsis for when the best friend of her little boy died in a freak accident).
February 24th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
and the son of the author directed this movie
February 25th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
No, actually I’m not missing the point of the movie. I just don’t agree with it. One can see the “hopefulness” and the possible effects of one being upon another in elements of it, but, there is also the premise in the movie of relying on fantasy and imagination in order to escape reality. And the truth of the matter is that if one goes too far down that path it’s been proven that it can lead to severe psychological disorders, such as schizophrenia, among others.
But my overriding concern is, and still remains, how Disney totally misled the public on this. When the movie trailers first came out the fans of the book were outraged because they felt the movie was going to be something totally different than the book. They were relieved when it was not. And yet, now, somehow they think that everything is just great when much of the rest of the public is expressing outrage that they were given a movie that was not anything of what they were expecting from the advertising. That alone is a double standard.
And now I’m seeing an even more serious side to this as well. The fact of the matter, LIKE IT OR NOT, is that it is being reported across the internet by many parents that this movie has had some traumatizing effects on their children. And advocates of the movie are acting as if it’s the parents’ fault for taking such children to it even when there is absolutely nothing in the specific ratings for this movie indicating the most serious issue in the movie to be confronted, that being issues concerning death and loss. Many advocates are even saying that parents are sheltering their children from the realities of life. Well, first of all, that’s not for them to determine, and secondly, it seems incredibly callous to me to be defending A MOVIE and a book when one is aware that it’s having a negative effect on many people. For crying out loud, WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT HERE THE MOVIE AND THE BOOK OR PEOPLE?!
And I would be careful if I were those who are promoting something so senseless, given THE REAL REALITY of the effects its conveying, even if they personally feel there are good messages involved in the movie, because THE WORLD OF SPIRIT HAS A WAY of testing such philosophies personally.
This whole thing has created a firestorm of controversy and you can bet that DISNEY is taking some real heat on it. They really messed up because of their advertising. And it cannot be said that it is smart advertising when it results in a huge segment of the public’s trust and their reputation being lost to them. Ever heard the statement “once burnt twice shy”? Also, Disney’s abuse of the Rating via it’s deception is exactly the kind of thing that if continued could easily result in a more strictly regulated rating system being adopted. And in that you would hear the movie industry scream as if being murdered. As an industry they resisted the adoption of much of the system to begin with. If it should ever change they will only have themselves to blame given examples such as the circumstances surrounding this movie.
Incidentally, the Director of the Movie was Gabor Csupo, not the son of the author of the book. He had serious input on the movie, but was not the Director.
Yes, many many have given this movie good reviews, but, lest you think I am but one of few with my viewpoint, take a look at the various quotes of others in what they have to say. And this doesn’t even come close to touching the tip of the iceberg of those people who are discouraged, depressed, dismayed, or even outright enraged about the circumstances surrounding this movie or the movie itself:
“Fans of the novel will brush off my negative review, praising the film as an accurate portrayal of life rather than an unrealistic fantasy where happiness always triumphs. I went to the movie, however, to be entertained, not to have a big dose of the ugliness of the real world force-fed down my gullet.”
“I do not like children’s movies that provoke deep parental explaining during and after them, it is my job to do that and a movie should be entertaining and this one was not.”
“Purposely deceitful to sell movie tickets.”
“Whoever passed this as PG should be ashamed of themselves.”
“This movie traumatized my two young daughters.”
“Should be called, “My Best Friend’s Dead.”
“I was mugged by a PR firm.”
The film “managed to make a point of linking the most artistic family in the neighborhood with God-lessness, and conjecture of whether they were truly “damned to hell.”
“This movie experience could have been a different story (pardon the pun) if I had not been ACTIVELY misled by the movie-makers.”
“I will never follow the critics advise any longer.”
“My kids hated the show.”
“I don’t go to the KIDS movies wanting them to teach my child about life. Let me do that!”
“I also didn’t appreciate the religious undertones woven into the theme.”
“Shame on Disney and their advertisers…I will proceed with caution on all future Disney productions.”
“Very disappointed.”
“My kids came back depressed.”
“I found the movie Bridge to Terabithia absolutely devastating.”
“Terror Bithia.”
“Terrible Bithia.”
“My son was dead quiet after the film and just said “That’s the worst movie I’ve ever seen.”
“My daughter cried absolute buckets.”
“As for the filmmakers, director, production company, et. al., “fooled me once”… and thanks, we’ll be in touch.”
“The worst movie of the decade.”
“The plot is unrecoverable.”
“Spend time with your kids playing rather than wasting it in this movie.”
“This movie is not for kids but would probably appeal to adults who want to try to connect with their kids in “deep” ways but who can’t seem to do so in real life. It fails to connect the potential with the message.”
“Avoid this car wreck at all cost.”
“Major false advertising.”
“I had to explain a lot of painful subjects afterwards to my 3 daughters.”
“I just figured being a Disney film for children that they would never be so incredibly misleading.”
“For our family at least, Bridge to Terabithia caused nothing but tears and sadness.”
“All-timer misleader.”
“Child-like fantasy and real-life adult tragedy in the same mix, like oil and water.”
“We had to apologize to our daughter’s guest.”
“I trusted Disney. NEVER AGAIN.”
“Only reason for giving this film an F is that there isn’t a lower rating.”
“Could not possibly have hated the film more.”
“For a massive dose of hope crushing reality.”
“I see all of the terrible things that really happen all the time, but I don’t want to see it in a family fantasy movie that in the previews looked similar to Narnia.”
“I now have to explain to my kids why one of the little girls thinks that people are going to be damned to hell, and why one of the others does not believe in God.”
“My daughter who is 10 was crying her eyes out and my son of 7 could not understand what was going on with the girl and what had happened to her.”
“An all-time low for Disney.”
“Disney should be shot for the way they marketed this movie.”
“My kids cried their eyes out.”
“My child was mortified by the sudden death of Leslie.”
“I feel strangely emotionally violated.”
“I am so angry with Disney.”
“My family walked out feeling depressed.”
“After the filled-full movie of kids I saw them with such confused look on their faces.”
“Something horrible has happened at Disney.”
“I would like to know when it became acceptable for people to refer to the death of a child as “upbeat”.”
“Disgusted me when the story took the most unmerciful, dreadful twist of all time.”
“My girlfriend and I concluded that this is one of the worst movies of all time. And this is coming from a guy who used to work at BLOCKBUSTER.”
“These were “scammers” not “trailers”.
“Disney really did a scam job on us.”
“I’m amazed that people just think it’s OK to present itself as one thing in the previews and be completely different.”
“My six year old stated, “Why did she have to die, mommy?”
“Simply put, if long-term counseling is in you, or your child’s future, this whimsical movie is simply right for you.”
“Bridge to a terrible movie.”
Reminiscent of the horror film ‘The Shining’.
“We wonder why so many children need depression meds.”
“My 11 year old was so sad when the little girl dies. He pulled his hood up and was crying with his head buried in his popcorn.”
“This is one movie my little ones told me NOT TO BUY ON DVD.”
“Any child that cherishes friendships and people and is lovable will HATE THIS MOVIE!”
“There were literally more than 40 bawling children watching this.”
“This is a very dark Disney film.”
“Someone should sue Disney for false advertising.”
“My child was so traumatized after watching this film.”
“WHAT A CROCK! SO MISLEADING.”
“Left my 6 year old daughter crying for hours.”
“Suggests that the best way to deal with your problems is to pretend you’re in a fantasy world.”
“If I wanted such sadness I would have stayed at home and watched the news. My poor nine year old cried and sobbed…what a waste.”
“I agree with every person who gave it a F, D, or C.”
“I saw kids crying so hard their parents had to leave the movie.”
“I was the victim of Disney’s marketing ploy..”
“This is one bridge that you should not cross.”
“I am 10 years old and the teacher read the book to us. The movie was terrible. It was very sad. It was not a fun movie. I would only want to see this movie again if I was forced to.”
“My kids went to this movie and hated it.”
“I don’t think we should keep our children sheltered, but we should let our kids be kids. There is enough pain in the world right now. Let the movies be the one place we can get away.”
“Disney was very irresponsible with their trailer.”
“This movie is the worst I have ever seen or heard of. It has practically nothing to do with the book.”
“It’s supposed to be a family movie, not ‘Alien vs. Predator’.”
“I want my money back.”
“Sorry to spoil it for you but you can’t kill a child in a movie and try to cover it up with fairys and trolls at the end to make a child feel better about it.”
“This movie is NOTHING like the book…it’s very disappointing. Magical creatures? Not in the book. How is this even based on the book?”
“Trailers to this movie had my kids excited and begging to go opening weekend. The sobbing and crying that resulted from attending this movie made it the single worst movie going experience in their young lives.”
“The trailers really fall into the categories of false advertising.”
“Why advertise this movie as a fantasy spin-off of Narnia. Because it otherwise won’t make money.”
“You’ll be left with the feeling that you should have spent your money on anti-depressants instead of the movie ticket.”
“I wish I had those 90 minutes of my life back.”
“I like the movie, the acting and all that. But like some other parents here, I was VERY disappointed that Disney promoted this movie as a family fare without any hint of the shock that occurs.”
“…and I would not have had my daughter’s birthday party during the movie.”
And from a Grandfather, “Old Walt would be turning over in his grave…”
“I now remember why I hated the book so much.”
“Disney and Walden media are pulling a fast one over on us and we shouldn’t stand for it.”
“Disney should be ashamed of themselves for being so deceptive.”
“Disney completely misrepresented this movie.”
“I am pretty pissed.”
“It was an awful experience for my toddler cousin to see. She would not stop crying.”
“Heartbreaking”, not “Heartwarming”.
“Just buy the kids a puppy and shoot it.”
“Sent the entire audience I was with home in tears. What is wrong with Disney these days? Have they gone over to the dark side?”
February 26th, 2007 at 8:32 am
How many Disney lovers here have seen the “Lion King?”
I knew nothing about this movie (saw it yesterday afternoon.) Clint Eastwood’s “Letters…” was sold out. I’d seen good reviews for Bridge and thought why not try it. I’m glad I did.
Was the public misled in advertising? Yeah probably. But I think that’s the movie’s fault. About the only part of this site’s review that I agree with was that the fantasy parts were lacking. I give it 3 stars (out of 4). With more imagination and fun in the fantasy sequences this could’ve been a classic for me.
I kept waiting for Leslie and Jess to slip into the fantasy world. A closet door opens and boom they’re there. They swing across on the rope and it’s a new world that nobody has seen. I’m glad the story just played their world in their imaginations. I liked that alot.
To reviewers with kids. I doubt they’ll be scarred for life. My parents screened “Star Wars” first before deciding to take my older brother. Maybe do the same. Maybe do a little research beforehand or realize that PG isn’t G.
Most of the reviews here just seem stunned that Leslie died. I didn’t see it coming. My girlfriend and most of the theater cried. It got me. And? People die in this world. The author’s son lost his 8 year-old best friend as a kid. I think Disney and the talent on this movie handled this very well.
To Wes who thought Jess was in denial. I didn’t see that at all. He makes the “next time we should invite” Leslie comment but a day after it’s happened I think that reaction is very realistic. Jess is comforted by his father (in a touching scene) and then builds a bridge and invites his sister into his world for the first time. That’s denial? Had Leslie shown up after her death it’s a different story. Instead he’s using what Leslie taught him, he’s remembering the great things they shared.
This struck me as a good family film. Very realistic. The child actors were top notch. Whoever played Leslie has a serious future. I just don’t buy the “I was okay with being mislead until she died and this movie took a turn I wasnt expecting.”
This isn’t drug use or teenage sex. This was very much a PG movie. I don’t see kids left wondering about death more than they might have in the “Lion King.”
But you know the tools are always there for parents to do research on a movie, before just blindly following the Disney label. Disney made a touching family film. IF you’re waiting for “Meet the Robinsons” that’s out in a few months.
February 26th, 2007 at 8:55 am
Wes….Did you see Bambi as a child ? Did your daughter see Bambi, Can you use your imagination (IMAGINATION) key element from the movie, to imagine those deer as humane elements to portray death. Doesnt Bambi’s mother die tragically ? Well in real life 2yrs ago my very own 15 yr old daughter lost her father tragically when he was hit head on by a very irresponsible lady who chose to take a prescription drug while driving. She is 17 yr old now, and has faced many trials about death that most children do not have to face, she loved Terabitia, yes the previews were maybe misleading as far as special effects, but are you missing the entire point of the story ? Death is a very real part of life, and we as parents must do our part as the adults to teach our children about death. Yes, Jess lost Leslie, but what had he gained from their relationship? Read, Stephens comments I think he has said it very appropriately.
There are also, other Disney films that deal with death. Lion King, Old Yellar.
Stephen, great comments, I totally agree with you, it was a great movie with a great story.
The message that you take away from watching this movie is what an individual choses to make it.
February 26th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
If you’re quoting me I never said that it was OK about being mislead about the advertising until Leslie’s death. I said I was willing to forgive it up until then. There’s a big difference in that. I didn’t agree with it but was willing to forgive it until being struck with such heavy content that was advertised as being something other. That’s when it really became clear to me just how misleading the advertising was. If you’re going to use quotation marks around something that someone’s said then please at least quote it verbatim, just as I did for all of the quotes above. Otherwise you can pull it out of context.
And yes, I do know all about Bambi and Old Yeller and the topics of death concerning them. I haven’t seen the Lion King. And while there are human elements in those I find it interesting that the closest thing found in former Disney movies that’s equated to a child’s death are stories of cartoons and animals. Though they bear sad messages of death too I think kids are more capable of setting it in their minds far more easily than that of a human child that they are drawn to identify with.
And yes, I totally understand all of the messages about IMAGINATION. And I’m certainly not out to stifle anyone’s CREATIVE imagination, or Pretending, or Fantasy, or any other form of imagination. What I’m saying is that if imagination is used in order to escape reality, particularly traumatic events, that if it’s delved into deeply enough and becomes habitually used, AND IS GIVEN ENOUGH ENERGY, then it has been clearly shown to cause psychosomatic illnesses. It takes deep trauma to produce it but kids are the most vulnerable to it because they are generally the ones who can’t do anything about the cause (emotional and physical abuse) and so are most apt to build a world based on imagination that does become their living mental reality. Leslie and Jess travel a bit down that path in order to “escape” or deal with some of the problems they are facing. And that’s ok and perfectly healthy TO A DEGREE. But only to a degree. I just don’t feel it’s the best message for a movie to deliver about dealing with problems because there are better ways to cope, even heal. But then, there were other events in this movie too that I don’t feel were appropriate for dealing with problems either.
And as far as Jess being in denial over Leslie’s death I feel he certainly is with the statement he made to his teacher. It may, in fact, be normal so soon right after Leslie’s death but I still think it’s denial. I’d be really concerned about someone who made such a comment and I certainly haven’t Ever Heard any kind of a statement like that made by anyone in real life before, following a death.
And as far as his potentially being in denial later when he built the bridge I expressed that that was a complete unknown. I don’t feel that the movie really effectively conveyed whether he had overcome his grief or was still living in his own self-expressed denial. I did say, however, that I really did feel that his action in building the bridge was a Tribute to the Spirit of Leslie, and, yes, that includes what they shared.
As far as the rating goes I feel it should have been PG-13. Bare minimum as a PG film there should have been something beyond just: “PG: for thematic elements including bullying, some peril, and mild language.” I feel it should have included, “sensitive issues concerning death and loss.” When I compare this movie to other Disney PG films they’re a world apart. In fact, I think we’ve all seen PG-13 films that have less shock impact than this one.
And as far as being a movie that scars a child for life I certainly hope that’s not the gauge as to whether any specific movie is suitable for a child or not. The parents are the best guage of how a specific child will react. That’s really not for strangers to determine who in their zest would declare that this movie’s for everyone! Or that if you didn’t like it you’re just not getting it or missing something.
At any rate, I do feel that with a little more creative IMAGINATION, this movie with such a message about IMAGINATION, could have been liked BEYOND IMAGINATION by virtually everyone and still kept most of its key messages intact if some of the circumstances had been different.
But, as it was portrayed, it simply flops for me.
And so, I’m so sorry to have been your own personal “Troll” for some of you on this. Perhaps I’m “Damned to Hell.” Maybe you should get together and just leave an “Eye for an Eye Note” in my desk. Or better yet, maybe you could just distract me from all of this by arranging a really appropriate “One-on-One date for me with the music teacher” (wink-wink).
But, don’t worry, with this “Troll” you’ll always be respected and free to speak your mind, in other words, “Free to Pee!”, without me being offended or having my self-worth invested in what you think or thinking that I have to convince you of anything. After all, I really don’t think I should “charge you for getting into the bathroom” since Disney’s already done that. And oh, so Smelly!!
And you needn’t worry about “kicking me off the bus” since we’ve come to my bus stop anyway.
And just as the author wrote her catharsis about death, so this has been for me. This farm boy here (yes, I am), with the traditions associated with that, is already quite familiar with death and needs no such lessons associated with it. In fact, I don’t believe it can be learned, or even how to cope with it, until it is actually experienced. And as far as any of you who may be thinking that I am simply limited in my own Imaginative Ability, well, speak to me when you’ve left the WORLD OF IMAGINATION, and instead have entered the WORLD OF ENVISIONING AND MANIFESTATION. I think then we’ll be able to relate better.
Respectfully (seriously), Wes.
February 26th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Yo man… Wes talks a lot well neway doesnt this mean it will b harder 4 them 2 make a fuckin sequel?
February 26th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
well yes i agree with you, it did mislead alot of people, including me, but i enjoyed the way it turned out, i know tht i wouldnt have liked it half as much if it was like narnia or harry potter, and in the preivew it says that it will change you forever, and it did, to alot of people, just in different ways, it affeceted me by making me like it more than any other movie ive ever seen, and it affected some by tramatizing them
February 26th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
and gary, they wuldnt make a sequal anyways, that would just be gay
February 26th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
And why u say that
February 26th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Hey Rebecca thanks for the comments! Glad you liked it as well.
February 26th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
Wes I do not feel I quoted you in “quotation marks” however these () are brackets, there is a difference in the tow. “quotations” (brackets)
The only thing in quote was (IMAGINATION) part of the
theme of the movie!
February 26th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
ok and willing to forgive. Essentially the point is either way you’re ranting because of Leslie’s death. So apparently now you see the movie as an open invitation to psychosomatic illnesses.” Nice.
Kids pretend Wes. You know this. I never once thought their world was real. Or only they could see it. The movie very clearly laid the groundwork of it being their imagination. I’m not going to try and defend the angle you came up with there. The branch you’re on won’t support us both.
Won’t argue your request that any death in a film automatically calls a PG-13 rating. Maybe that’s a good idea. I don’t know. This was a PG film though. Clearly. How much profanity? Barely the violence of your average cartoon. It’s a family film. No, it’s not “the Parent Trap” but Leslie’s death hardly makes this dark noir or unsuitable for the intended audience.
Which, is the real issue here. Should Disney be responsible for a 5 year-old who sees it and doesn’t like it because it’s not Harry Potter. The audience here I would think are pre-teens and teens. Kids old enough to read the book and deal. Take your 5 year-old to “meet the robinsons” or something that will have enough flashing colors and distractions to keep them satisfied. This story wasn’t told for them, yet.
But, it’s not my right to say that. Take your kid or nephew/nieces to what you like. Just don’t cry if they can’t handle the ‘downer’ in this movie. In a PG Disney film. It’s your fault if you took them to a movie they couldn’t handle. Know the story and for who it was intended. Otherwise accept it.
February 26th, 2007 at 6:20 pm
well gary that wuld be gay because the bet character in the movie was leslie, and she died, and they wuldnt make half as much much money on a sequal as they did on the first one, and this movie was mad after a book, they’re wuld have to be a sequal to the book in order for there to be a sequal to the movie! and i agree with rebecca
February 27th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Well, I really was hoping to get off the “bus” because I have a lot of other things in life to attend to but I see that I created some confusion for Rebecca that I feel I must address. I wasn’t actually referring to anything you had said, Rebecca, about quoting me. I was referring to Stephen’s remark of quoting me by saying “I was ok with being mislead [sic] until she died and this movie took a turn I wasn’t expecting”, when I actually said I “was willing to forgive it” up until that point. Definitely not that I felt it was ok. So anyway, Rebecca, I apologize to you for any confusion the first paragraph of my last comments caused you.
And to Stephen. Yes, I know that kids pretend. And have no problem with that. You stated that you “never once thought that their world was real. Or that they could see it. The movie clearly laid the groundwork of it being their imagination.”
If you go back to my very first comments on this you’ll see that I didn’t get that. That I couldn’t clearly discern if it was all their imagination or if they were interacting with some “real”, if you will, fantasy world. And that’s the result of how Disney packaged this movie in their advertising. I, like many people, took their advertising at face value as being a “fantasy/adventure”. And in a fantasy tale anything is possible including squirrels becoming something other and pine cones becoming grenades. And in a fantasy tale that generally occurs outside one’s own imagination, in other words, a separate entity. I wondered if it wasn’t all imagination but that was not clearly discerned for me.
And I think that because of how it was advertised that is exactly what created a lot of confusion for many people. Here’s a quote from a kid about the movie from YAHOO’S website:
“Most of the reviews are from adults, but not this one. Me and my friend saw the movie and thought it was very depressing. It makes us really sad to see a nice girl die. The overall story was hard to follow and neither of us really understood the difference between the real and fictional parts. DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE WITH YOUR KIDS!!!!!!!”
“neither of us really understood the difference between the real and fictional parts.” - Well, I relate to that confusion and I think a lot of other people can as well and I think most of it is due to the advertising. I think it really muddied the waters for a lot of people about the content of the movie and what messages it was trying to convey. Because they too took the advertising literally and didn’t know if Terabithia was “real” or not and whether the creatures depicted were real or not. And most of them kept expecting a shift in the story that would at some point take them from Leslie and Jesse’s reality into a full-blown fantasy adventure tale. And when that didn’t happen it left a pile of people really confused and I think would have left even more people confused if there wasn’t a book involved that many people could refer to. Without what advertising there was I think far more people would have understood what was attempting to be depicted. People also wouldn’t have felt so duped by it and if it had been accurately advertised I think there may even not have been a problem at all.
I think that essentially what people are taking away from this is what was most memorable to them. For a lot of people, including myself, Leslie’s death was most memorable and overshadowed the positive changes occurring in Jesse from her influence because it was evident to us that that was occurring prior to her death anyway. For other people the most memorable part was that Jesse was indeed changed even in the face of Leslie’s death, in other words, Leslie’s death was the “acid test” that showed that Jesse’s change was indeed permanent and lasting. Thus, some people felt “heartbroken” and others felt “heartwarmed.”
The reason I felt the former and not the latter was because I really couldn’t discern whether or not Jesse’s change was permanent or not. And that was because of the comment to his music teacher when he said, “I think we should invite Leslie the next time we go to the museum.” And because of that I couldn’t discern if he had gotten over his grief or not and whether his change was permanent or not. If the makers of the movie had really wanted to convey to me with certainty that Jesse was indeed changed then I think it would have been better if they had simply left all statements that would indicate denial out of it. Thus, I was confused concerning that too. And my confusion concerning the movie certainly isn’t because I’m dense or something. I’ve got two university degrees including a Master of Science degree.
And yes, while Disney isn’t responsible for who sees their movies, their maturity level, sensitivity, emotional level or any other aspect of how an individual may react I do feel that they are certainly responsible for their own advertising. And in this case I truly do feel that they deliberately misled the public in order to generate more ticket sales. And that involves Business Ethics. In other words, I firmly believe that they Lied to the public. As I said I’m from the farming community and in our world we call a spade a spade. Now it’s unfortunate that they just happened to do it with a movie that many love, even adore and revere, but that’s what happened. And again, I do not really agree with such tactics, regardless of what was depicted in the movie itself, but, as I said I was willing to forgive it if they had delivered to me at least some aspect of what was advertised even if it was just the “heartwarming” story promised. But, for me it wasn’t for the reasons I’ve already described. Nor for a pile of other people. But, my willing to forgive doesn’t mean I would have found it in any sense of the word agreeable or ok that they advertised a fantasy/adventure tale and instead delivered a drama depiction. For me it’s really no different than if they had advertised a science fiction movie and had instead delivered a western. If it was a good western that was understandable to me it would have ameliorated the situation somewhat but I wouldn’t have found it okay. I would have still found it unethical. I just think it was really bad business practice on Disney’s part.
And, no, I don’t feel that the movie is an “open invitation” to psychosomatic illnesses. I’m simply stating that imagination is very powerful and under some circumstances can really go awry. There’s Pretending, Daydreaming, Fantasizing, Imagining, Creative Visualization, and finally, Envisioning. Each of these is increasingly powerful. We really do CREATE OUR OWN REALITY. These are really spiritual concepts that define who we are and what we can become. And I do mean that literally. And depending on how they are used the results can be good or ill for the individual involved and those surrounding them. They can even be used to influence inanimate objects. Imagination is not the most advanced but it is a powerful tool. These are concepts that are predominately Native American and Eastern World philosophies and have historically been suppressed, even viciously, by Western World thought. But, interestingly, results found in both Psychology (mental and emotional science) and Quantum Physics (physical science) are proving them to be true.
At any rate, I think one thing is certain and that is that this movie has generated a lot of controversy and debate and I believe it has every potential of being used at the university level for discussions involving literature, business ethics, media, philosophy, religion, and perhaps even other fields. Yes, even with what little was referred to in the movie there is already a debate ongoing regarding religion that I saw at one website concerning statements made in this movie. And none of this is really bad at all. I see it as in fact positive. I also wonder if some of it wasn’t even deliberately generated. One website I visited stated that Gabor Csupo, the Director of this movie, is known in his work as being something of a cynic. Whether deliberate or not the debates are indeed occurring.
Ok, so if I may, I really now would like to “leave the bus.” Spring is just around the corner and I really need to prepare for it if I’m going to be able to help put food on you folk’s plates. And so you know, this really hasn’t been so much of a “rant” as much as it’s been a discourse for me. I can type really fast and so it allows me to put a lot of thought out quickly.
I’ll attempt to respond if you direct something at me, but, otherwise, with your permission….
Be well folks, All of You!
Wes
March 1st, 2007 at 2:33 pm
wes make shorter commemnts, i never even read em, they’er way to long
March 1st, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Brandon, I know you’re right, just felt like I needed to express a lot which in truth really isn’t normally like me. You can breath a sigh of relief now since I think I’ve said everything I wanted to. I’ve never blogged anything before on the internet and really don’t expect to again.
It was nice talking to you, Brandon. Do well in school and make your parents proud. And, oh, since you liked Bridge to Terabithia so well there’s a book I’d like to recommend to you that I think you’d really like a lot. It’s called ‘The Vision’ and the author is Tom Brown, Jr. You can find it at your bookstore. It’s a true story and it will open up a whole new exciting world to you.
Take care and make your life a good one.
March 2nd, 2007 at 8:13 am
Wes
I am going to look up that book, & what a nice comment to Gary.
Gary, you write very good for a 14yr old. Thanks for bringing a teens point of view to the blog.
Rebecca
March 2nd, 2007 at 9:10 am
Apparently, most of you never read the book. The movie followed the book pretty much except that we saw more of the imaginary Terabithia in the movie.
The book was written in honor of the author’s son, David, who as an 8-year-old lost his best friend, Lisa when she was killed by lightning. Lisa’s death I’m sure
was senseless just as Leslie’s is. These kinds of things happen to kids
in life and this book was written as a way for the author and her son to cope with his loss.
Disney was very wrong in the way it was advertised, because the book itself is in no way a fantasy.
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:38 am
Rebecca
Yes, adults will find the book I recommended to Brandon just as interesting. It’s pretty much understandable to readers from about 13 years old on up. There are actually two sequels that preceed it. They are called ‘The Tracker’ and ‘The Search’. Again, by Tom Brown, Jr. So, if you wish to read them in order those would be the two to start out with, but, the author gives pretty good background in the books so that they can all be read separately and still be understood. ‘The Vision’ is especially amazing and the books are all about the author’s life, a true story. And as Leslie would say to Jesse, let yourself have “an open mind” when you read them because they really do introduce you to a fabulous world. The first few pages of each book start out a little slow but it does get really good. I think you’ll enjoy them.
Thank you for the compliment on my comment to Brandon. For some reason my ‘inner vision’ (you’ll find out what that is in Tom Brown’s books if you don’t know already) has been telling me throughout these conversations that Brandon is a really good individual and rather special. I don’t know why I’m getting that but that’s what it’s saying. And I’ve had training in ‘inner vision’ and so I’ve been, you might say, ‘attuned’.
Best Wishes, Rebecca, and I hope you and your daughter are doing well. Your comments about your family’s loss did not go unnoticed and you have my empathy.
March 2nd, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Wes,
Wow what amazing threads we have going to this blog…….
Thanks for your comments in regards to our loss. I appreciate that, life is tough we never know when we walk out the door if its the last time we will see our family or not. Life and little things are not to be taken for granted.
I will pick the book up you mentioned at your recommendation.
I would also like to recommend author Sue Townsends, books about a young boy Adrian Mole to you.
http://www.adrianmole.com/
They are set in the UK and the first book is quiet juvenile but Adrian grows up in the following series of books and the story line becomes more adult in nature. I like humor and I couldnt help but laugh out loud imagining this kid and the predicaments he gets into, of course screen them for your self before allowing your children to read them.
Thanks,
Rebecca
March 3rd, 2007 at 8:19 pm
Rebecca,
Thanks for the recommendation on the books. I will definitely get them for a good read. I haven’t checked out the website yet but definitely will. Just the name ‘Adrian Mole’ made me laugh and so I can only imagine what the stories are like. And I could really use some humorous fiction for a change. I like to read fiction but it seems that a lot of the stuff I end up having to read is technical science material due to our farming endeavor and issues I am involved with in helping the environment. And you’re certainly right, it’s been my experience too to never take life for granted.
Thanks Much,
Wes
March 4th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Wes a farmer? hmmmm sounds interesting. I also have a strong passion for the enviroment and animal welfare. However I am not an extremist.
If you’d like to chit chat, I am on yahoo messenger as bex920 or my e mail is becca920@bellsouth.net I know this is kinda werid but one can always use new allies when helping the enviroment.
Hope to hear from you soon take care,
Rebecca
March 5th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Rebecca, my messenger system hasn’t been working for a couple of years now and I haven’t taken the time to figure out how to fix it so I’ll send you an e-mail. I gather from your last comment that I don’t exactly fit the stereotype of a farmer. And in that, I guess I’d have to say that you’re right.
March 5th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
ya wes i looked for da book actually and couldnt find it… and if u like a good laugh go to http://www.thekrshow.741.com scroll down and listen to the podcast
March 6th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
now lets all start blogging about this( and by that i mean the KR show )
March 6th, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Brandon,
I went to the website you suggested, scrolled down to the podcast, and wasn’t able to get anything. I did follow some links to their page and was able to get their promo podcast. Is that what you wanted me to hear?
About the book, ‘The Vision’ by Tom Brown, Jr. Your bookstore should be able to order it for you since it’s still in print. If they can’t you can get it at http://www.amazon.com/ You can get it there new or used. In fact, they have some great sale prices there. If you wish to read the first two books before that which will give you the full background of the story they are called ‘The Tracker’ and ‘The Search’. They are available at amazon.com as well, or again, can be ordered from your bookstore. Let me know if you still have trouble getting the book or books.
I don’t know why I couldn’t get the podcast you suggested directly or if the one I heard was the one you wanted me to hear. The promo I heard was only 17 seconds long. Any suggestions?
March 6th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Brandon,
That podcast link is NOT active but from reading the home page it did not sound too interesting. Maybe since it would not open you can enlighten us all more on KR ?
March 8th, 2007 at 11:06 pm
I’m a 6th grade teacher and read Bridge to Terabithia to my class. It is a wonderfully descriptive book that is full of rich vocabulary and avidly paints a picture in your mind with every inviting paragraph. My kids never wanted me to put it down. It definitely deserved winning the Newbery Award Medal for Children’s Literature in 1978. I would highly recommend reading the book before going to see the movie. I think probably a good majority of the people who gave the movie bad reviews didn’t actually read the book. The trailors of the movie don’t portray the actually storyline of the movie or the book at all. When I first saw the trailors, I took a double take to see if it was actually a movie based on this award winning book. I also wouldn’t recommend this book or movie for children under 11 due to the more mature nature of the story. Again, I can’t stress this enough, read the book…you won’t be sorry.
March 9th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
I really enjoyed the movie. It was done magnificantly. I was afraid the movie was going to be a cheap knock off of the book. Most books turned to movies are. I am one who read the book when I was in the six grade. It left a lasting effect on me. A good one at that. The storyline brought me joy, boredom, facination, laughter, and sadness. Most importantly, a understanding of life in all it’s forms rolled into one during my six grade year. I really, really disliked the way the movie was advertised. The way it was advertised didn’t bring the movie justice. What a way to pull you in. By advertising it as a fantasy movie. “Disney, to the Principal’s office, now!” But as for the movie itself. I loved it. Even though the book was written way back in the 70’s. I like how the movie found the balance of Today’s world and the world then. For instance, in the book. During the races, the start / finish lines were marked with imaginary lines and landmarks. Growing up in the 80’s that’s how we did it at recess. In the movie, the lines were marked with cones and painted lines. There are many more examples, but that set the stage for me when it comes to believability. Okay, maybe one more. I like how Janice’s crush Willard Hughs “Mr. Popular” was portrayed as a skateboarder. Skateboarding wasn’t as big as it is now back then. I am not one to be a critic about movies. I either like or don’t like. But when it came to Bridge to Terabithia. I was trying to find every which way to dislike it as a book turned movie. The problem was…I couldn’t stop myself from enjoying it. What was in the book, was up on the screen almost, I mean almost to the tee. I knew what the end would bring. I just didn’t know how it would be done on the big screen. And in my opinion, it was done as tastefully as it could of been done. I didn’t cry or shed a tear when i was in the six grade. I was more shocked and sadden by it. But as a grown man I have to admit I did weep and shed tears upon Leslie’s death. It wasn’t because of some scene with Leslie falling to her death into a creek in slow motion. It was because of the words ” Leslie, she’s dead.” I have never been in a theater when everyone gasped and then weeped and sniffled almost at the same time. Over the death of a character. Again, great book, great movie. Just my 2 cents.
March 10th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
If you haven’t read the book I urge you to do so. Jess doesn’t really have a lot of friends but when he meets Leslie they develope a friendship some of us only dream about. Jess learns to use his imagination and after Leslie is gone he passes that love for adventure onto his sisters. (I think it was his way of keeping Leslie’s memory alive.) The movie was a bit dry and the advertisments were extremely misleading. Some children will say that they were disapointed because it wasn’t the actiony film that they expected, but I’m glad it wasn’t. The book and the movie should have shown our children how important it is for them to use their imaginations. I believe that children need to watch this movie; after reading and discussing the book with their parents first.
March 11th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
for those of you who actually checked out the kr show, im sorry it didnt work, and the promo isnt even close to the real thing im soory and will try to figure out wats wrong!!
March 11th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Just saw the movie today, and usually I don’t even think to make comments on movies I see, but man was it depressing…. It’s one of those movies where it leaves you stunned for hours after you’ve seen, and I’ve seen very few of those kind.
The ending was very poor…. sure it was effective in putting you in some very awkward mood afterwards by causing you to wondering what the heck just happened, but very poor in that it really brought no closure and left you hanging.
March 17th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Personally, I liked the movie. Yes, I did cry my eyes out however, that doesn’t make it a bad movie. Maybe the trailers were misleading a little by only showing good parts of the movie with adventure, but that doesn’t make Disney a liar. This movie shows people of all ages to keep an open imagination. I understand parents being upset by their kids being “traumatized” though. Still you can hardly call it being traumatized. It didn’t show her die or anything. Things like that happen, that’s life. Also I don’t think that this is an all time low for Disney. Just because it wasn’t Disney’s run of the mill happy ending story doesn’t make it bad and frankly Jess continued their imaginary world with his sister so, it wasn’t all bad. It dealt with sensitive issues in the gentlest way possible and still be consistent with the plot. Disney doesn’t have to make all 100% happy movies 100% of the time to be a good. I was disappointed with her death as well, but I still saw past that to realize the deeper meaning of the movie and enjoyed it.
March 27th, 2007 at 8:17 am
mariah i agree with you 100%, and it didnt tramatize every child, my 6 yare old sister loves it and is always asking to go see it again!!
March 30th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN”T SEEN!!!
I’m 12, and i just finished watching this movie at our local theatre. I, a boy, did cry, it is just so sad to see that Leslie died :(
And for all you people who are saying that Leslie’s death was meaningless and dumb, think of this!
Jess thought the rope wouldn’t hold but after Leslie convinced him it would they were safe. When Leslie went to go across it without Jess, she didn’t have his open mind. Therefore, Terabithia never really existed and the rope was just an old rope.
That is actually the meaning of her death. Without both of them nothing they seen would have existed. Unless there was two. Hence the ending with Jess and May-bell
Sorry if i kind of gave away the meaning of most of the movie.
April 1st, 2007 at 1:32 am
I agree with wes that this movie has a lot of False advertisments.Also if you think about it it’s a fantasy movie and then in the middel it slaps you down to reality. I think if its going to be a fantasy movie they should stay that way the souldnt be going on and off.Also who likes a movie were a child dies.Now I dont really want to watch disney movies. =(
April 1st, 2007 at 8:55 am
Becky,
Please read my Feb 26th comments @ 8:55am. I feel the movie itself has a story & life lesson. I think we are all in agreement that, yes it was fasely advertisted. I just hope that people watch the film and take something away from the story other than, the fact the advertisting was misleading.
Look at the characters in general & what did we take away from them Jess, Leslie, Janis, Maebelle, the teacher, even Jess father, there was something in each of them that I saw and learned something.
Again, I can not stress enough that it is (our) job as parents to teach children about, life & death in reality & on the big screen when we take our children to see a film like this, it is important to talk it over with the children then, I took the opportunity to discuss it with my daugher on the drive back home and she talked more about Janis than the death of Leslie. Janis life at home was her issue & the bullying at school. However, my daughter & I faced the death of her father, and I suppose we look at it more in the face than others can.
April 22nd, 2007 at 7:48 pm
hey everyone …
well i watched the movie yesterday and thought it was heaps good. Ok i agree with some people saying bla bla it was boring and crap but the menaing of the movie is so good. like the setting may not have been so spectacular nor was the dialogue but the point of the story made the movie. For every one who said they expected much move fantasy n stuff … i didnt … honestly if it had all of the narnia/harry potter stuff in it i would have hated it.
YES i did cry when leslie died … i tried hard not to but it all cam pouring out… I dont think this movie could really “traumatise” someone well im turnin 15 soon n im sweet but i guess im like older than some other younger viewers…
i dont think Leslies death was stupid for disney to put in…i think it made the movie and really makes u think about it … i agree with what keegan said bout the whole rope thingy…
hmmmm yeahh thats all i gotta say. duno y i did all this…wonder if anyone will actually read it … guess i did it to avoid doing my school work haha
well i better go n write a review bout the movie for english
BYE BYE
April 27th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
You people jump to lots of stuff way to soon i have a plan to bring leslie back
April 27th, 2007 at 4:07 pm
evrey one here hates how leslie dies right
April 27th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
well katherine paterson is the maker of the book she caused disney a big proplom and if this women whatns to but a nother book in it would have to