Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1082 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-10-15
• Rating: Parental Guidance
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

Synopsis
Animation master Gabor Csupo directs his first live-action film in this adaptation of the novel 'The Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson, whose son David co-wrote the screenplay and serves as a producer. Jess (Josh Hutcherson) is misunderstood. Despite Jess' talents as an artist, the school bullies pick on him, his father (Robert Patrick) belittles his dreams, and his four sisters invade his space in the family's cramped house. Jess' bleak world changes when Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) moves into the house next door. Bright, creative and outspoken, Leslie also finds herself an outsider in their school. Soon the two are thick as thieves, spending their after school hours exploring the woods beyond their backyards and on the others side of a creek, which Leslie deems the kingdom of Terabithia. Here, they create their own magical world, complete with a Dark Master and his minions, dragonfly soldiers, giant trolls and a treehouse fortress. In Terabithia, the two friends let their imaginations run wild and control their destiny, far away from school bullies and the pressures of adolescence. Hutcherson and Robb are well cast as Jess and Leslie in this coming-of-age tale. Hutcherson handles both the melancholy intensity and unbridled joy of his character beautifully, and Robb's smile and charisma are infectious. Zooey Deschanel also stars as Miss Edmunds, the music teacher who befriends Jess. Terabithia and its creatures are created by WETA Digital LTD, the same company that did the effects for the LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and KING KONG.

Customer Reviews

If you're expecting a Narnia type film, this is not it
I have to say this was very disappointing and nothing like what I expected. Considering its "From The People that Brought You The Chronicles Narnia" billing, I was expecting a similar fantasy/adventure type film full of weird and wonderful characters and creatures. What in fact this film turned out to be was more a "teens growing up" film, with the land of Terabithia more a metaphor for the two main characters exploration of their relationship with one another.

This in fact is the biggest let down of the film, the land of Terribithia frustratingly only appears fleetingly throughout the film. It very much plays second fiddle to the boy and girl's friendship, him a misunderstood budding artist, she also an artistic outsider. What unites them is their unlimited imagination, where they can turn the mundane into something magical and otherworldly, and completely of their own creation. In other words, Terabithia never actually exists at all, it is just a figment of two children's vivid imaginations. For me, this spoilt the whole thrust of the film as I wanted to see two kids discover a new and magical world, not two kids just pretending they've discovered a new world. It's a real pity as every time they venture to Terabithia the film really lights up and you hope things will finally get going. But their visits there are very brief and you only get small glimpses of some of the unusual creatures that dwell there.

The film spends most of the time concentrating on the central characters friendship, with Terribithia simply a backdrop for their growing relationship. This is definitely not a Narnia type adventure at all, just a story about two misunderstood and enigmatic teenagers.

Bridge To Terabithia
This was one of those films where I was constantly expecting something interesting and entertaining to happen. However, nothing did. The picture on the DVD cover was a sham; it bore little or no relation to the film. It was more like an afternoon TV childrens' soap. It took place mostly in high school and the lead character's home. Quite boring!

Makes you believe in the simple power of story telling and the imagination.
So many peaple (including myself) based there oppinions of this film on assumptions they made before hand. Yes, the trailer is missleading and yes, its not suitible for small children (say under 9). But it is rated PG which remember is the same rating jurrasic park got which has dinosaurs eating people so its not like the warnings arnt there. But in many ways the best advocates for the strengh of this movie are the people who hate it so much, they hate it because of the way it make you feel and that is the real stand out feature of the film. In an age when movies seem to be intended to stimulate the eye rather then the mind or the heart this film stands up tall with the likes of Pans Labyrinth and tells a beautifully deep and meaningful story without resorting to cheap tricks and cliches.
like everyone else i watch this expecting a narnia rip-off, i was pleased to discover that it was so much more. Since seeing the film i have also read the book and can only say that even though it is ment for 9-12s (and im 24) and is only 130 odd pages long, if i had read it at school instead of all the dry tastless books that were cramed down our throwts, i might have spent more time reading and less time sat infront of the TV.

Many people are probably wondering why i have said very little about the content of the film. There is good reason for this, the film is best watched with no pre-conceptions. All i will tell you is to expect a moving story of frendship and the strength that it helps build. expect strong performance from all the actor especially the kids and a faithfull presentation of Kathleen Patersons amazing book. Dont expect a special effect blockbuster with more fantasie and cgi special effect then you can shake a proverbial stick at, there are some but the cgi really isnt needed.

I really could not bring myself to personnally give bridge to terabithia less then five stars. Just leave young kids at home, take a box of tissues instead.