In bringing the beloved children's novel,
Bridge to Terabithia, to the big screen, director Gabor Csupo (best known for his work on TV cartoons like
Rugrats and
The Simpsons, making his live action feature film debut here) has made a controversial decision that has divided many fans of the book. He has given us a visual representation of the magical land of Terabithia, a world that exists only in the minds of its young heroes in the novel. Of course, it's not his fault that the Walt Disney Studios has decided to focus their entire marketing on this one aspect of the film. This sequence, which takes up maybe 10 minutes of the film's entire running time, has become the entire emphasis of the film's ad campaign in an attempt to lure in kids who want to see another
Chronicles of Narnia, where kids discover a magical land and go on fantastic adventures. The film itself is actually a coming of age story, and one that deserves to sit side-by-side with other classics such as
Stand By Me and
Man in the Moon. This is a miraculous little film that will not be forgotten anytime soon by anyone who watches it, young and old alike. It is unflinchingly honest about childhood fears, and above all else, it is highly entertaining.
The film is set in a small farm community where our preteen hero, Jesse "Jess" Aarons (Josh Hutcherson from
R.V. and
Zathura) is stuck in a rather mundane childhood where no one seems to understand him. His parents (Robert Patrick and Katrina Cerio) are facing financial problems, and can't even afford to give Jesse new running sneakers, so they have to give him one of his sisters' old hand me down shoes. (He colors the pink shoes black with a marker in a futile attempt to avoid embarrassment from the school bullies.) Speaking of sisters, he's got four of them to compete with for attention from his parents. School isn't much better with strict teachers and numerous bullies targeting him. On the first day of the new school year, Jesse meets the new kid who has recently moved into the house near his family home, the tomboyish and imaginative Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb from
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). The two have a rather shaky first meeting, where Jesse is faced with the ultimate humiliation of being beaten by a girl when Leslie outruns him during a foot race the boys hold during recess. He is eventually able to put aside his embarrassment, and see Leslie as a friend as the days go by. The two begin to frequent an area of the woods near Jesse's home, where they combine their imaginations to create a mystical kingdom called Terabithia - A place where they are in control, and the worries and problems of school and the real world cannot reach them. As their fantasy grows, Jesse finds himself becoming stronger in the real world, using the lessons he's learned from Leslie and their kingdom to confront his real problems.
To reveal anymore of
Bridge to Terabithia's premise would be a crime, so I shall stop there for those who have not read the original story by Katherine Paterson. Those of you who have will be relieved to know that this is a very accurate and faithful retelling of the story that not only follows the novel's story arc, but also understands the heart behind the story that has made it so memorable. Much like last December's
Charlotte's Web film, the film is able to capture the essence of the story without being so slavishly faithful that it feels like they copied every last word into the screenplay. A lot of this most likely has to do with the fact that one of the film's two writers is David Paterson, who is not only the son of the original author, but was also the inspiration for the story itself after he went through an incident when he was very young. The screenplay is quiet and laid back, but it is also truthful and honest. The film is set in that very special time with children when a boy and a girl can be friends without any other thoughts coming between them. Sticks of Juicy Fruit gum can be used as a peace offering. And having Twinkies in your lunch are not only a valuable treasure, but a treasure that must be protected from others who want it for themselves. I smiled a lot while watching this movie, mainly out of familiarity. If you had any sort of a real childhood where a battered old treehouse could be a magical fortress, you will most likely smile a lot as well. But, this movie has much more than nostalgia working in its favor. This is a beautiful story of friendship, and the way it is told is equally beautiful. The way that the film mixes both the joys and sorrows of childhood in a realistic yet sensitive way, so as not to confuse or frighten younger viewers, is masterful. The bullies are menacing, and not comical dunces, just like in real life. Living in a house with multiple siblings is often a trial as you compete for attention, and for your own privacy. Most importantly, the film's third act, which covers a great change in Jesse's life, is handled with true poignancy instead of forced melodrama, which truly allows you to feel for the character.
Whenever you put kids at the center of your movie, especially one that deals with some difficult themes, the casting has to be spot on. Fortunately, this is the case for
Bridge to Terabithia. Josh Hutcherson has already proven himself as being one of the brighter child actors working today in films like
Little Manhattan, and as Jesse Aarons, he has found his best role yet. It is a difficult role for a child, where he is forced to run through a large variety of emotions throughout the film. He handles them all effortlessly, and not once does he come across as if he is "acting" or artificial. He earns his emotions, and this is integral to his final few scenes. AnnaSophia Robb has an even more difficult role, as Leslie is supposed to be somewhat of a free spirit and an independent thinker which makes her stand out, and an outcast with the popular kids. With the wrong child in the role, the character could easily be annoying or stand out for all the wrong reasons. This is not the case here, as Robb not only creates an easy and likeable chemistry with Hutcherson (they are best friends in real life, according to her IMDB profile), but makes her character stand out in such a way so that she still seems to be on the same level as everyone else. It doesn't seem like she wandered in from another movie or another planet. The adult roles are also expertly filled, with Robert Patrick being a stand out as Jesse's tough, yet caring, father. Also worthy of noting is Zooey Deschanel as the school music teacher, and one of the few adults that Jesse is comfortable around. There is a scene late in the film where the two explore an art museum together where the two are able a memorable scene together, talking about their favorite pieces of art, which is not only genuine, but beautiful.
The one aspect of the film that needs to be discussed, however, is one that plays a very minor role in the film itself, and that is the movie's depiction of Terabithia itself. Terabithia is a world of the imagination of its two young protagonists, and is brought to life in this film by CG. The original novel did not go into very much detail about the inhabitants of this made up world, but this movie brings to life an army of monsters, bee soldiers, giant trolls, and other such flights of fantasy. The effects artists are mostly able to bring the creatures to life, and combine it with the live action footage so that it does not look cheesy or like a video game. Many fans of the novel cried foul, myself included, when the effects-heavy trailer hit the screens late last year. Fortunately, the effects never once drown out the heart or the essence of the story being told. This is not a spectacle movie, rather, the effects are used to enhance the imaginary world that the children create, and allow us to see what they are pretending to see. It certainly was kind of a refreshing change of pace to see effects used simply to represent imagination, rather than taking over the plot or pushing aside the human actors. For all of the technical wizardry the imagination sequences hold, the movie never loses sight of what it is. That's a rare thing in this day and age where kids seem to not be interested in a movie unless it features some sort of CG animal or creature as its star. I certainly understand the approach, but seriously, did Disney have to make the effects the sole focus of the ad campaign? The story speaks for itself, and many children are familiar with it. (At least, I hope they still are. Judging by the elementary school classroom group that attended my screening, they are.) Disney should not feel the need to hide the fact that they have made this wonderful and heartfelt family film. It kind of says something when the studio seems to be afraid to admit that they have made an honest and truthful coming of age story like this, but seem to have no problem whatsoever when it comes to advertising and hyping up junk like
The Santa Clause 3.
If there's any fault to be found in
Bridge to Terabithia, it is with one crucial scene. It's hard to avoid slipping into spoiler territory here, but I shall do my best. It concerns the last shot of Leslie in the film. It is in slow motion, and kind of tries to play up the drama a bit too much. It is the one false and heavy-handed moment in a movie that is constantly finding the truth in its situations. The rest of the film is just about spot on, so this tiny bit of ugliness can be forgiven. That being said, this is a very important movie for children, and probably for most adults too. I can only hope audiences are able to look past the deceiving advertisements, and see this movie for what it really is. Much like the book that inspired it,
Bridge to Terabithia stays with you long after it is over, and is worthy of experiencing more than once.
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In bringing the beloved children's novel, Bridge to Terabithia, to the big screen, director Gabor Csupo (best known for his work on TV cartoons like Rugrats and The Simpsons, making his live action feature film debut here) has made a controversial decision that has divided many fans of the book. He has given us a visual representation of the magical land of Terabithia, a world that exists only in the minds of its young heroes in the novel. Of course, it's not his fault that the Walt Disney Studios has decided to focus their entire marketing on this one aspect of the film. This sequence, which takes up maybe 10 minutes of the film's entire running time, has become the entire emphasis of the film's ad campaign in an attempt to lure in kids who want to see another Chronicles of Narnia, where kids discover a magical land and go on fantastic adventures. The film itself is actually a coming of age story, and one that deserves to sit side-by-side with other classics such as Stand By Me and Man in the Moon. This is a miraculous little film that will not be forgotten anytime soon by anyone who watches it, young and old alike. It is unflinchingly honest about childhood fears, and above all else, it is highly entertaining.
The film is set in a small farm community where our preteen hero, Jesse "Jess" Aarons (Josh Hutcherson from R.V. and Zathura) is stuck in a rather mundane childhood where no one seems to understand him. His parents (Robert Patrick and Katrina Cerio) are facing financial problems, and can't even afford to give Jesse new running sneakers, so they have to give him one of his sisters' old hand me down shoes. (He colors the pink shoes black with a marker in a futile attempt to avoid embarrassment from the school bullies.) Speaking of sisters, he's got four of them to compete with for attention from his parents. School isn't much better with strict teachers and numerous bullies targeting him. On the first day of the new school year, Jesse meets the new kid who has recently moved into the house near his family home, the tomboyish and imaginative Leslie Burke (AnnaSophia Robb from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). The two have a rather shaky first meeting, where Jesse is faced with the ultimate humiliation of being beaten by a girl when Leslie outruns him during a foot race the boys hold during recess. He is eventually able to put aside his embarrassment, and see Leslie as a friend as the days go by. The two begin to frequent an area of the woods near Jesse's home, where they combine their imaginations to create a mystical kingdom called Terabithia - A place where they are in control, and the worries and problems of school and the real world cannot reach them. As their fantasy grows, Jesse finds himself becoming stronger in the real world, using the lessons he's learned from Leslie and their kingdom to confront his real problems.
To reveal anymore of Bridge to Terabithia's premise would be a crime, so I shall stop there for those who have not read the original story by Katherine Paterson. Those of you who have will be relieved to know that this is a very accurate and faithful retelling of the story that not only follows the novel's story arc, but also understands the heart behind the story that has made it so memorable. Much like last December's Charlotte's Web film, the film is able to capture the essence of the story without being so slavishly faithful that it feels like they copied every last word into the screenplay. A lot of this most likely has to do with the fact that one of the film's two writers is David Paterson, who is not only the son of the original author, but was also the inspiration for the story itself after he went through an incident when he was very young. The screenplay is quiet and laid back, but it is also truthful and honest. The film is set in that very special time with children when a boy and a girl can be friends without any other thoughts coming between them. Sticks of Juicy Fruit gum can be used as a peace offering. And having Twinkies in your lunch are not only a valuable treasure, but a treasure that must be protected from others who want it for themselves. I smiled a lot while watching this movie, mainly out of familiarity. If you had any sort of a real childhood where a battered old treehouse could be a magical fortress, you will most likely smile a lot as well. But, this movie has much more than nostalgia working in its favor. This is a beautiful story of friendship, and the way it is told is equally beautiful. The way that the film mixes both the joys and sorrows of childhood in a realistic yet sensitive way, so as not to confuse or frighten younger viewers, is masterful. The bullies are menacing, and not comical dunces, just like in real life. Living in a house with multiple siblings is often a trial as you compete for attention, and for your own privacy. Most importantly, the film's third act, which covers a great change in Jesse's life, is handled with true poignancy instead of forced melodrama, which truly allows you to feel for the character.
Whenever you put kids at the center of your movie, especially one that deals with some difficult themes, the casting has to be spot on. Fortunately, this is the case for Bridge to Terabithia. Josh Hutcherson has already proven himself as being one of the brighter child actors working today in films like Little Manhattan, and as Jesse Aarons, he has found his best role yet. It is a difficult role for a child, where he is forced to run through a large variety of emotions throughout the film. He handles them all effortlessly, and not once does he come across as if he is "acting" or artificial. He earns his emotions, and this is integral to his final few scenes. AnnaSophia Robb has an even more difficult role, as Leslie is supposed to be somewhat of a free spirit and an independent thinker which makes her stand out, and an outcast with the popular kids. With the wrong child in the role, the character could easily be annoying or stand out for all the wrong reasons. This is not the case here, as Robb not only creates an easy and likeable chemistry with Hutcherson (they are best friends in real life, according to her IMDB profile), but makes her character stand out in such a way so that she still seems to be on the same level as everyone else. It doesn't seem like she wandered in from another movie or another planet. The adult roles are also expertly filled, with Robert Patrick being a stand out as Jesse's tough, yet caring, father. Also worthy of noting is Zooey Deschanel as the school music teacher, and one of the few adults that Jesse is comfortable around. There is a scene late in the film where the two explore an art museum together where the two are able a memorable scene together, talking about their favorite pieces of art, which is not only genuine, but beautiful.
The one aspect of the film that needs to be discussed, however, is one that plays a very minor role in the film itself, and that is the movie's depiction of Terabithia itself. Terabithia is a world of the imagination of its two young protagonists, and is brought to life in this film by CG. The original novel did not go into very much detail about the inhabitants of this made up world, but this movie brings to life an army of monsters, bee soldiers, giant trolls, and other such flights of fantasy. The effects artists are mostly able to bring the creatures to life, and combine it with the live action footage so that it does not look cheesy or like a video game. Many fans of the novel cried foul, myself included, when the effects-heavy trailer hit the screens late last year. Fortunately, the effects never once drown out the heart or the essence of the story being told. This is not a spectacle movie, rather, the effects are used to enhance the imaginary world that the children create, and allow us to see what they are pretending to see. It certainly was kind of a refreshing change of pace to see effects used simply to represent imagination, rather than taking over the plot or pushing aside the human actors. For all of the technical wizardry the imagination sequences hold, the movie never loses sight of what it is. That's a rare thing in this day and age where kids seem to not be interested in a movie unless it features some sort of CG animal or creature as its star. I certainly understand the approach, but seriously, did Disney have to make the effects the sole focus of the ad campaign? The story speaks for itself, and many children are familiar with it. (At least, I hope they still are. Judging by the elementary school classroom group that attended my screening, they are.) Disney should not feel the need to hide the fact that they have made this wonderful and heartfelt family film. It kind of says something when the studio seems to be afraid to admit that they have made an honest and truthful coming of age story like this, but seem to have no problem whatsoever when it comes to advertising and hyping up junk like The Santa Clause 3.
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