by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
I’ve never read Bridge to Terabithia, but I might after seeing the feature film adaptation of the now classic children’s tale. The poignant story masquerading as a fantasy film has won over most critics and is now available on DVD, where it will no doubt win more fans.
Jesse Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) is a fifth-grade loner at school and at home. His parents are too busy trying to make ends meet to notice that their only son is being alienated by his sisters. At school he finds himself the target of bullies when he shows up wearing pink hand-me-down sneakers. His life completely changes when two writers and their daughter Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb) move in next door. At first Leslie seems a threat to Jesse. His plans to earn some notoriety and respect by being the fastest kid in the fifth grade are dashed when Leslie enters the “boys only” race and wins. But soon the two are drawn together, bonding over their creative outlets; Jesse is secretly an artist and Leslie follows in her parents’ footsteps and excels at creative writing. The two bond over their love for make-believe, creating a magical kingdom called Terabithia in the woods near their homes. They rule over mythical creatures and fight the forces of evil and monsters inspired by the bullies they face at school. Together, the kids teach each other valuable lessons about love, friendship, courage and the importance of keeping an open mind.
Bridge to Terabithia is based on the 1978 Newbery Medal-winning book by Katherine Paterson. She drew her inspiration from her young son’s relationship with his best friend Lisa. This is the second time Bridge to Terabithia was adapted into a film. In 1985, a TV movie starring Annette O’Toole aired on PBS. The latest version of the story was directed by Gabor Csupo, best known for co-founding animation studio Klasky Cuspo, and was filmed in New Zealand. The film grossed $100 million worldwide during its theatrical run and makes its way to DVD this week.
The Bridge to Terabithia DVD has only a handful of extras, suggesting a double-dip is on the horizon, possibly in time for the Christmas season. First is “Behind the Book: The Themes of Bridge to Terabithia,” which revisits the children’s classic through interviews with the cast and crew. Next is “Digital Imagination: Bringing Terabithia to Life,” a featurette that tackles the special effects work the Weta Workshop contributed to the film. If you happen to watch the Disney Channel, you’ve most likely seen AnnaSophia Robb’s music video for “Keep Your Mind Wide Open” at least a hundred times. If you want to make it one hundred and one, the video is also on the disc. Finally, two audio commentaries round out the DVD’s supplements, one with Csupo, writer Jeff Stockwell and producer Hal Lieberman, and the other with Hutcherson, Robb and producer Lauren Levine.
I expected a lot more from the Bridge to Terabithia DVD, particularly some deleted scenes and maybe a gallery with concept art, as is customary with fantasy films like this. Luckily, the quality of the movie itself is enough to justify the purchase price. Bridge to Terabithia is a beautiful story that will hold your interest, capture your imagination and touch you in a way few children’s films can. I won’t give anything away, but I will say that the movie puts you through an emotional wringer. I found myself laughing and smiling during the first half and trying hard not to sob during the second half. The film’s ad campaign did it a great disservice. Bridge to Terabithia is far from a rip off of Lord of the Rings or Narnia. In fact, most of the fantasy elements in the film are shown in the trailer. The bulk of the film is about human relationships, the power of imagination and the importance of finding a true friend. After the Disney Channel subjected my children and me to far too many of these commercials, I considered letting them watch the film with me since they had shown an interest. I’m glad I didn’t. At 3 and 5, some of the themes in Bridge to Terabithia would have been way too much for them to handle. Parents of children under 10 should probably preview the film first to make sure its right for their child. If you do choose to let your children watch it, I strongly suggest you view it with them. Be prepared to dry some tears and answer some questions.
Despite being a film based on a book for children, I found myself caught up in the world of Terabithia and the lives of these two inventive kids. This beautifully told story is truly for families to enjoy together. When my kids are a bit older, we’ll sit down and watch Bridge to Terabithia together. Until then, I get to keep this wonderful gem to myself.
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