Bridge to Terabithia (Widescreen Edition)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

The Bridge to Compassion - An Important Life Lesson, 2008-11-17
I disagree with the opinion that this film is not for children. Our children have watched this film more than once and it has taught them (and me) something new every time they view it. It becomes an important lesson in living...living each moment and taking nothing for granted. It teaches them about companionship, compassion, loyalty, trust, fairness, equality, the Golden Rule, the importance of parenting, family, dreaming, striving, overcoming obstacles, the cruelty of discrimination and indifference - all critical lessons of becoming fully human and alive. I ask myself why these key qualities of the film would not be good for a child and come up with nothing. One should not wait till he or she is an adult before learning such life lessons. This film is presented in such a way that, with parental care and interaction, introspection and processing feelings can be shared with the utmost care for those who want to view the film. There is nothing ugly or distasteful about this film. It is an accurate account with respect to the circle of life we will often experience sooner than later. Children want truth and they become stronger, less cynical and more trusting when it is presented to them with the dignity and respect it deserves. Films that should be unfavorable for children are those with foul-mouthed language and sexually obscene content. This film respectfully conveys the realities of life that we often wish away until it is too late for the so-called grown up who, in actuality, never really grew up at all! This movie is stunning and deserves to be seen by all, though with parents who are actively present during the viewing to discuss their children's feelings with them following the presentation.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Slow and thoughtful childrens drama suffering from a serious case of mislabeling, 2008-11-03
The advertisers and composers of the trailer for this film did a great deal of disservice to "Bridge to Terabithia" when they likened it to "Narnia" and some of the other YA fantasies out there. br / br /While there is a fantasy element in this story, "Bridge" is more about the harsh reality of growing up--and being different in the harsh 'playground world' where sameness=comfort and acceptance. br / br /Jesse (Hutcherson) doesn't fit in. He's a growing boy in a household of four sisters and poor to boot. So he's got to wear his sister's hand-me-down sneakers with pink stripes and he definitely catches it from the guys. br / br /He finds friendship with the new girl, Leslie Burke (Robb), who may be able to outrun him, but has similar problems with being different when she discloses she has no television after an essay is required based on a TV show. Together, they explore the woods behind their next-door homes and build a world of fantasy only they share. br / br /While you do see trolls and other creatures, the story is more about kids imaginations than made-up worlds. "Bridge" is a lovely tale and another step kids need to take to adulthood. br / br /I would not advise this film to parents with really young kids--and even those contemporary to Jess and Leslie may have some issues with some of the subject matter (death). The story is well worth a family viewing and may well be a treasured favorite for some for years to come! br / br /Rebecca Kyle, November 2008

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

This is an award winning children's book., 2008-10-20
Sometimes as a librarian, I find a movie better that the award winning book. This was the case with this movie. It shows the compassion that children can exhibit to one another. The movie arrived in great condition and I really enjoyed it.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Love This Movie, 2008-10-14
Fun Family movie. A bit of fantasy mixed with reality! Great family show! br /The service I recieved was great. Prompt! No problems.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Friendship and Hardship, 2008-10-11
Based upon the award-winning book by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabithia is a touching film about the bond between two children, both of them outcasts, who learn the importance of friendship and the power of imagination. The screenplay was written by Jeff Stockwell and co-written by David Paterson, the author's son, so the film remains quite faithful to the spirit of the book. The director, Gabor Csupo, handles the emotionally charged story with skill and sensitivity, which only heightens the impact of the events therein. br / br /Jess Aarons has two passions in life: drawing and running. He draws so that he can escape into a world of his own, so that he can escape the demands of his stern father and constant harassment from his sisters, and the bullying he endures at school. He runs because he wants to be the fastest boy at his school, which in his eyes is the only way to win the respect of his peers and his father. But his dream of being the fastest runner is dashed to pieces when his new next-door neighbor, Leslie Burke, beats him in the race on the first day of school. At first, Jess holds a grudge against Leslie. That changes when he discovers her free-spirited nature, which earns her the reputation of being weird. Together, Jess and Leslie create an imaginary world where they can be themselves without fear of social ostracization. They become the closest of friends and they look out for one another. Still, their friendship differences sometimes cause conflict. Jess' family is large and is struggling financially, while Leslie's family comprises only of her parents and her and they are wealthy, and Jess' family goes to church, but Leslie's doesn't. In spite of these differences their mutual respect and admiration blossoms into innocent, unconditional love. However this time of happiness is intruded upon by a horrible accident, which leaves Jess angry and questioning his faith. He is ultimately strengthened by his friendship with Leslie, and he begins to reach out to other people, even those that he never would have before. br / br /It's unfortunate, but when Walt Disney Studios and Walden media advertised this film, they presented it as being a fantasy/adventure film. This is hardly the case. Bridge to Terabithia is a family film about the problems of life and the inevitable and painful lessons we have to learn in order to grow. It's a film about childhood innocence and the loss of that innocence, as we mature into adulthood. But most importantly, the film is about letting your imagination carry you away from your troubles just long enough for you to find the solutions, and about letting your love free you from your fears. Bridge to Terabithia is a film that will move its viewers, both the young and the young at heart. br /The story is propelled by the talented cast, especially Josh Hutcherson as Jess, AnnaSophia Robb as Leslie, Robert Patrick as Josh's father, Jack and Zooey Deschanel as Josh's teacher, Ms. Edmunds (whose beautifully emotive blue eyes illuminate the screen in every scene she's in). br / br /The DVD includes these bonus features: Digital Imagination featurette, Behind the Scenes featurette, Keep Your Mind Wide Open music video by AnnaSophia Robb, two audio commentaries with cast and crew, and previews. br / br /Also recommended: br /My Girl br /The Indian in the Cupboard br /Fly Away Home br /The Mighty br /Pay it Forward br /Holes br /The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe br /The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian br /Charlotte's Web