Bridge To Terabithia: Don't Believe The Lies

By Josh Tyler: 2007-02-02 14:00:00

Bridge To Terabithia: Don't Believe The Lies

You’ve probably seen the trailers for Bridge to Terabithia by now, a film which Disney is pushing as their next big fantasy flick. I saw the movie earlier this week and we’ll have our review up in a few days, but here’s a sneak peak at what it’s going to say:

Terabithia’s marketing campaign is a big, stupid lie.

Whatever you may have heard or seen, Bridge to Terabithia is not a fantasy movie. The trailers make it look like a third-rate Narnia knockoff or an Eragon bosom buddy, but there are no talking lions, magic kingdoms, or mystical prophecies in the movie. It has nothing to do with anything even remotely like that. Instead, the film has more in common with the 1991 Macauley Culkin movie My Girl and 1986’s Stand By Me. Bridge is an incredibly realistic portrayal of kids struggling with the issues that plague pre-teens and winning.

I liked the movie, but Disney is completely misrepresenting it. Kids are going to drag their parents in to catch the next Harry Potter and what they’re getting is a pretty heavy tear-jerker drama about growing up. Great performances from burgeoning child actors Josh Hutcherson and Keira Knightley look-alike AnnaSophia Robb make Bridge to Terabithia worth seeing, but the faux fantasy stuff they’ve shoehorned into the trailers is barely in the film, and even then it’s not at all what they’re advertising it as.

Whether it’s intentional because they think tricking people into seeing the movie is the only way they can sell it, or whether it’s accidental because they simply don’t have a clue, they’re still lying to you. This is not that movie. You have been warned.

Latest Headlines:

12 Minute Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince First Look

Trailer: Tobey Maguire And Jake Gyllenhaal Are Brothers

Even More Alice In Wonderland Images

Strange Patriotism: The American Flag's Weirdest Moments On Film

Inglourious Basterds Banners

View-Master: The Movie

Tony Stark's Iron Man 2 Race Car

Superman May Be Done With Brandon Routh

First Look At Eminem in Funny People

Public Enemies Poll: Tell Us What You Think

Comment on “Bridge To Terabithia: Don't Believe The Lies”

Note: This website is not meant for use by minors. The views expressed in the comments section below are not our own. This section is intended for discussion of the topic in the post above. Disagreement is encouraged, however comments which attack, insult, or threaten the author in a personal manner won't be published. Similarly, comments that we deem to be poorly worded, or wildly off topic will also not be approved and may be mocked. For free, uncensored, unfettered, and possibly dangerous discussion visit our forum.

Subscribe to topic comments

0 0 / 0
y n

Rachel
February 12, 2007 at 16:27

I am also relieved! Although, I have to say that as soon as I saw the trailer, I thought "Boy, are people going to be upset when they take their kids to this and see what the movie is really about." This was one of my very favorite books growing up, so as soon as my kids starting talking about the movie, we sat down over the course of 4 nights and read it together. The book is a beautiful, moving tale about two friends and how they change each other for the better - and IT IS SAD, so if kids go into it expecting a fun, fantasy adventure, they are in a big surprise. Very disappointing marketing by Disney, but since it's all about $$, I understand why they did it. I'm just glad to hear the movie is a good one; I'd hate to see such a wonderful book turned into anything less than a wonderful family movie. Now that the kids know what to expect, we're all ready to see it as soon as it opens!

Reply
0 0 / 0
y n

Jennifer
February 3, 2007 at 15:00

Well, that's a relief, actually. I read the book as a child (and loved it), and when I saw the trailers I was shocked!!! I though they totally changed the whole plot just to make it sell with special effects. In reality, the imaginary world of Terabithia they create is only a part of the story and it certainly was never real, never "out of control" and never "needed saving". In the book it was understood the entire time that these kids never thought their "world" was real at all. It was a game they played together, nothing more. I'm concerned for kids who see this movie, because if it is true to the book, then the story is VERY heavy and sad. Not to say kids can't handle it, it's just that they wouldn't expect it. Parents, be warned.

Reply

Subscribe to topic comments

Please login or sign up to post reply

Back to Bridge To Terabithia: Don't Believe The Lies

Bridge To Terabithia: Don't Believe The Lies

Comment on “Bridge To Terabithia: Don't Believe The Lies”

Leave a Reply