Bridge to Terabithia - Review

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1. Darryl McC Says:
   February 17th, 2007 at 00:40

   This was ABSOLUTELY the WORST movie I have ever seen in my entire life.
   It was so incredibly dull and boring - and nothing like the previews/trailers would lead you to believe.
   I wanted to pluck out my eyeballs and now I'm having a stiff drink to try and forget the time and money I wasted.
   The kids in the theater were also in for major disappointment.
   DO YOURSELF A FAVOR - don't waste your time and resources and maybe whoever made this movie or gave it the nod will be banished from ever crafting another piece of garbage like this again.

1. Abby Says:
   February 17th, 2007 at 12:28

   I haven't seen the movie yet, but the trailers upset me. I read the book when I was younger and I didn't remember there being lots of fantasy. Yes, it's more like My Girl than Chronicles of Narnia. But I was hoping for that. I hope the movie lives up to the book, rather than the previews. Anyone who says that they thought the movie sucked based on the trailers ought to be ashamed of themselves and read the book.

1. Kelly Powell Says:
   February 17th, 2007 at 12:28

   Whenever there is a "made from a book movie", I'd suggest you read the book first instead of going by what the trailers protray. If you had read the book first, you'd be extremely satisfied with the movie!!

1. _Jon Says:
   February 18th, 2007 at 00:42

   That movie sucked.
   
   Bring tissues.
   Who needs to see a movie about real life and tragic death?
   
   It sucked.
   

1. AnnPC Says:
   February 18th, 2007 at 00:45

   My 5 year old daughter has been waiting for months to see this movie. We took her to see it today, expecting a Narnia-like movie. Instead, it was NOTHING like the preview. I had to subject her to overwhelming sadness and emotional turmoil. My husband said it was a "downer" and a terrible way to start the weekend. It was not a bad movie, but parents should be aware that this is not a fun, fantasy movie. I sobbed like a baby with tears rolling down my neck. I feel cheated and want my money back from Disney for the deception and for making my child cry!!! I never thought I would have to preview a Disney movie before taking my child to it. I was wrong!!!

1. ken Says:
   February 18th, 2007 at 00:45

   for anyone who thinks it sucked, you're wrong. you haven't realized how powerful this movie's lessons are. it was the greatest movie i've ever watched.

1. George Silva Says:
   February 18th, 2007 at 00:45

   i got robbed paying to see this movie. what a great kids ending the girl dies,
   this movie was made during walt disneys lunch hour. keep up the good work
   and please stop making movies like this.
   
   
   ps make an alternate ending to this movie with the kid meeting the girl in the
   magic land they were in that would have been outstanding.

1. Claire says Says:
   February 18th, 2007 at 19:22

   I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and can't stop thinking about it. However, my 6 year son old hated it. He says he only wants to see funny and happy movies in the future and actually asked me to review the movies before I take him! It's my fault for not doing my homework on this one. I was not aware of the book and trusted Disney and the trailers.
   
   By the way, he didn't actually cry until the movie ended because he thought the girl was going to return in the end. It was a long car ride home....

1. Samantha Says:
   February 18th, 2007 at 19:23

   Thanks so much for this review. This book was really deeply meaningful to me as a child and the trailers about made me cry because it looked like they'd taken a meaningful story and turned it into just another piece of eyecandy for the mainstream to drool at while stuffing their gobs with popcorn.
   
   I had planned to skip this film after seeing the trailers but because of thise review and the comments by the viewers (both the fans happy to see it as it was, and the sniveling of the vapid gross consumers) I am definitely going to go see it.
   

1. Joseph Says:
   February 19th, 2007 at 12:24

   This film was fantastic. For those who were expecting a bad fantasy movie, perhaps it would have been wise to find out a little bit about the book upon which this film was based before assuming that you were going to be watching another tired, shallow kids movie. Most children's films these days take the safe route and offer easy answers to life's problems, in the rare occasions that they even bother to tackel life's problems. "Bridge to Terabithia", instead, is realistic and doesn't talk down to kids. Not since "ET" have we had a good family film with this level of emotional depth.

1. Tracey Says:
   February 19th, 2007 at 16:52

   Bridge to Terabithia was an excellent movie. It wasn't at all what I expected. Not at all predictable. I hadn't read the book so I thought there would be more action and fantasy for my kids, (daughters 8 and 3; son 5). I was really concerned about my son because he really likes action and animation and he wanted to see Arthur and the Invisibles. I thought he was really going to cut up in the movie. But he really liked the movie, as well as my 8 year old. My 3 year old can't sit still for anything but Cinderella, and my husband was impressed. We went to the restauarant after the movie and to listen to them talk about the movie, how they felt about the ending and what it meant to them, made me remember how movies made me feel growing up. I really like any movie that can bring out strong emotion, (laughter;suspense;crying;etc...) and this one surprisingly did, for me and my family.

1. Marsha Says:
   February 20th, 2007 at 00:03

   I just came home from Bridge to Terabithia. I saw it with my 9 year old daughter. We both loved it, but for different reasons. I basically went to see it for her, but I may even have enjoyed it the most. The realistic story how bullying can tear a soul apart and how friendship can put it back together is both realistic and moving. I should have brought tissues , but never dreamed this movie would affect me so much. It was beautifully done and a movie I will "NEVER" forget. I too lost a best friend, so all my past emotions came back. Everyone needs a good cry every once in a while. This movie will be a true CLASSIC!!!

1. Nan Warnar Says:
   February 20th, 2007 at 00:03

   We took our Grandchildren (ages 6 and 9) to see Bridge to Terabithia. The previews made it look like a fun movie. There was no school today and the theater was filled with children, most were grade school children. All 4 of us thought this could have been a great movie, but the tragic element was NOT nice, appreciated or appropriate for a movie geared to kids.
   The next time we want to see a movie with them, we will read parent's reviews before we take them.
   What was the point?

1. zach simon Says:
   February 20th, 2007 at 00:04

   i thought it was a goodmovie almost made me cry!!!!!! i think it i dumb when they make leslie die they should of just let her live so her and jesse could of been happy, they should remake the movie with them living i would of beed s even better movieeeeeee!!!!!!!1

1. Joe Says:
   February 20th, 2007 at 13:39

   I took by three preteen children to this movie, expecting it to be another Narnia-clone, and thinking I could have a nice 90 minute nap. What I got was one of the most powerful and real emotional experiences I've had in the cinema for some time. I thought the film was dead-on in its portrayal of the cruel realities children this age can experience, and found the healing process in which the young boy handled his grief to be extremely uplifting. Bring a box of kleenex, but go!
   By the way, the 8 year old didn't get it at all, the ten year old did but was quiet about it, and the 12 year old was blubbering just like me and all the other adults in the theatre.

1. hari Says:
   February 20th, 2007 at 17:06

   it's not that the movie was bad, it was great.
   the SHAME is on the greedy "you know whats" that marketed this movie
   as a narnia type fanstasy ! they are the ones who should be shot !
   i went with my sister and kids (the real point to why the movie sucked for alot of people) and saw a great film that upset all the little kids that
   hoped to see a fun fantasy. the tears from the children upset the parents and most left clenching their fists. i was in the "can" and heard
   folks talking about how they would like to choke the makers and(more to the point) the marketers of this rotten (based on the kids long faces)
   film. too bad, cause that little girl (who died) was awesome. h.

1. Jeffrey Rich Says:
   February 25th, 2007 at 14:28

   What a waste of time and money. The movie trailers are misleading, creating expectations that are wholly unfulfilled. Above all else, Disney should be ashamed of their bait and switch marketing tactics. Our entire family felt deceived and resented having seen it. If this movie is true to the book, then we're glad not to have bothered to read it.

1. Elaine Says:
   February 25th, 2007 at 19:13

   This movie was not what I expected but it was really a deeply moving story, so real in the kids interactions. I blubbered like a baby. I say Bravo to the makers but wished the marketers had not pushed it as another Narnia fantasy.

1. DTL Says:
   March 1st, 2007 at 14:15

   The movie was incredibly stupid it had no point and it was one of the worst movies ive ever seen and i will never watch it again. There was no plot at all and what was the point of the tragic death it was really stupid so i reccomend to all you people that are goin to see the movie read these comments first so you can find out how much it sucked
   

1. fran quinn Says:
   March 2nd, 2007 at 03:17

   Went to this movie with girlfriend and took our two grandchildren, boy 8 and girl 8 1/2. Definitely not another dumb children's movie as we expected to sit thru but a wonderful experience. We all loved this movie. Both children were glued to the screen and so were the grammies. True the commercials were misleading and i do not think a child under 8 would appreciate the story. But I was glad we went, made up for all the terrible children's movies i have endured, Happy Feet being the latest. Both my grandaughters wanted to walk out on that one!!!!!!!! This movie was one of the best movies I have seen in ages, might make me go back to the theater again.

1. brenna Says:
   March 7th, 2007 at 13:38

   i was kinda impressed by this movie. it was touching, and inspiring at the same time. it was one of those movies that made you wanna get away from the tv and try something new, i guess. im 14 (15 tommorow) and i saw this w/ my 12 year old brother (who also thinks it was okay). the review you just read is right, the bullying he goes through and the abuse from his dad and the fact his family is poor isent cliche, but believable. My family is pretty poor (not really poor, but i can never ask for money from my parents), my dad has a stessfull job that doesent pay dirt, and stuff like that, so I can really relate to whats goin on. I liked how his friendship w/ that girl (forgot the name) kinda tied up his life and helped him solve his problems, or most of them. What I dident like was how the movie switched from reality to fantasy constantly. And the CGI was really nice, but just not the kind im into. They got kinda boring over time. And the action isent something that holds your attention, it just kinda whizzes past you. And, Im not one to cry during a movie, it takes allot, but the end got me close to tears. I would have cried, but I knew the girl was gonna die at the end (sorry if I spoiled the ending). Overall, this is a great movie, not a ripoff of anything Iv ever seen, and I recomend it.

1. Anthony Says:
   March 8th, 2007 at 22:19

   this movie was great!!!!!!!!! but that is probably because i read the book.

1. dan canon Says:
   March 12th, 2007 at 08:47

   I was very, very, disappointed with this film! I took my 11 year old daughter to it and I was shocked at it's content. It is a very anti-Christian film. Not only is it anti-Christian, but, it is very, very boring. I was expecting a Narnia-type movie as a fantasy style story. It was a cheaply made movie with very little special effects. Thankfully the sequel to Narnia is coming out so I'll be able to redeem myself in the eye's of my daughter. There is nothing inspiring about this film, the message is not inspiring, the acting can't even be called acting, the special effects are cheaply made (and very few minutes of special effects), the characters come out of character...especially the dad of the Jessie who consoles him after he's spent the whole movie abusing him. Oh...and then the girl's parent's move away in a "moving truck" without saying goodbye to the Jesse, who was the next door neighbor. This movie is so uninspiring, rude, anti-Christian and so far away from what it was advertised that I'm going to find an attorney to see if can sue Disney for false advertisement. Yes....it's that bad!!!

1. Meren Says:
   March 19th, 2007 at 01:36

   To anyone who thinks this movie is "anti-christian," I challenge you to mention one thematic element in this film that can be categorized as such. Just because a non-Christian character is present who raises some very essential theological questions regarding salvation as well as the supposition that all children go to heaven, people have been branding this film as an affront to religion. It is very real that many children who grow up in religion find it appalling, I was one of them. I will say this to the so-called fundamentalist Christians: If you cannot even handle this movie, how do you handle real non-believers? They most certainly will ask those same questions. Other than Leslie's character, I'd say this movie has more themes that are compatible with Christianity than most films out there.
   
   That said, I also went to see this expecting a narnia-like movie but I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. This film is mature enough for anyone older than 10 and is probably best viewed by teenagers and adults.
   
   To the poster preceding me, how can you call this movie "rude" and "uninspiring?" You have your own opinion but I find that inconceivable, especially if you're an adult. If one didn't walk away from this film feeling they needed to forgive someone or call up a friend to just tell them how much one appreciated them....I don't know what to say. There are many things more rude than this nice film, take 300 for example. It is one of this year's bests, I'm sure, and Josh Hutcherson gave one heck of a performance (how can anyone not love these wonderful kids?) I was expecting pure CGI and talking trees...instead, I glimpsed something profound.

1. claire Says:
   March 20th, 2007 at 21:41

   Those people which did not like the film and say it is boring and childishh!
   you know what they are ABSOLUTELY wrong they dont find it interesting because they dont have imagination, they wewre never childs before? Well you know what you bunch of idiot people which disliked the film you are persons which do not have a heart and which make our world a worst place!
   this film is one of the BEST i ever saw and it is amazing! Whatever if a tragedy happens but that is LIFE people!
   come on the film ois recommended for ALL audiences!
   dont loose it - definetly see it...

1. Xaryin Says:
   March 22nd, 2007 at 00:12

   This movie is totally worth watching! This movie pulls off the balance of imagination and real life in the storyline very, very well. After seeing this movie, I have five words to say: Disney, you've done it again. This movie is just plain GREAT!
   
   The trailers WERE very misleading (as was previously mentioned), but what can I say? Trailers don't say EVERYTHING about what a movie is. They were thirty seconds of a 95-minute movie, if even thirty seconds! A half-minute is NOT equal to 95! Really, you can't judge a book by its cover...or in this case, a movie by its trailer.
   
   For the rating, "PG" IS APPROPRIATE! It states clearly: "Some material may not be suitable for young children"!!! It's inadvisable for your children to watch it without your opinion if you didn't watch it beforehand. If you didn't take any time AT ALL to at least do your homework to see what the movie is like before having your kids watch it because you were too lazy, then I'm sorry: it sucks to be you if you and/or your kids suffer for it. Pure and simple.
   
   Anyway, faithfulness to the book? Absolutely! The movie was very good at interpreting the book's story elements. Unlike the Eragon movie (curse you, Twentieth Century Fox!!!!!!), this movie gives you accurate reinterpretations of what happened in the book. It's not in perfect harmony with the book, though; but if anything, that's a good thing! If there weren't any differences at all to the book, it would just be a rip off of what was already described, and if you read the book, you already know what it's like. Having differences in the movie makes it more interesting. Personally, I greatly relished the fact that the movie's events were updated to around 2007, being someone not born around 1977. On the other hand, Twentieth Century Fox went overboard with it for Eragon and just KILLED it. We have to give Disney brownie points for story faithfulness.
   
   Now, like many of the die-hard gamers out there (I hope), I will be eagerly waiting for Square Enix to recreate Terabithia for a world in a future Kingdom Hearts game! It's quite ideal for a Kingdom Hearts world if you ask me. ;)

1. Mara Says:
   March 22nd, 2007 at 00:13

   I don't understand why the director found it necessary to visualize the creatures in the children's imaginations. In all other aspects, the book was adapted extremely well to the screen, and the soul of the piece is intact - but until the ending scene, the CG adds nothing to the movie. I have read some comments here complaining that the movie was cheap, and there was very little CG. But, I ask you this - was the fantasy the focus of the movie? I think not.
   
   People who complain about Leslie's death at the end should think harder about the message that the film was trying to portray - about a father learning to understand his son, and a family bonding together through adversity. About never giving up and leaving something you love, despite personal challenges.
   
   I feel that this movie would have made an even greater emotional impact if it had not been marketed and portrayed throughout as a fantasy-like experience, but rather as the raw, real world tale of courage that it was intended to be.

1. Shannon Says:
   March 23rd, 2007 at 22:14

   I completely agree that the previews are very misleading. My ten year old son was very upset when the girl dies We looked at each other and I thought 'This is a Disney movie?'. You could feel the uneasiness in the crowd during the movie and some people actually got up and left after the girl dies. They advertise it like it is another Narnia movie when it is far from it. I can't believe that it is receiving so many good reviews. I want my money back...

1. tom b Says:
   March 27th, 2007 at 13:28

   My only wish would be thatthe boy and girl would meet again in Tarabithia...if only to allow kids the chance to accept death with the realization that its not necessarily the end. I enjoyed the movie.
   
   

1. Nicole Says:
   March 29th, 2007 at 23:55

   Whoever in all hell thinks that this movie is anti-christian, I'll have to say I really don't agree with you. It's people like you that make children's movies a horrible experience, only because the term 'anti-christian' makes me assume they're trying to divert us away from the religion.
   
   The Christian religion is about having your own opinion and being free. I should know, it's been hammered into me about 9 years now. It's a FICTIONAL movie based on a FICTIONAL novel. My God, get over it. You just ruined my mood for the whole day, now. Go put a damper on someone else's sunshine, will you?
   
   In any case, I thought the movie was amazing! Those children are amazing actors for their age, and though I read the book in grade five, I got a whole different experience with this. I am fourteen, and expected this movie to be a little under the age group for me. Although, it wasn't. I loved it! The most real fiction movie I've seen in a while. Beautiful imagery, too.
   
   It depends on what you're expecting when you go in to see the movie. I, however, do not agree with the advertisement labels for this movie. Yes, the previews did add in a hint that it would be like Narnia (which it isn't), but it was somewhat correct. Read the book. It's about 200 pages, so you'll probably have no problem with it.
   
   Overall, I'd put this movie on my favorites list.

1. gabriel Says:
   May 2nd, 2007 at 13:08

   This movie was absolutely, totally, ultimately fantastic!
   
   I was drowned in a splendid deluge of emotions that was poignantly sad (to the point of almost being downright depressing) yet wonderfully spectacularly gloriously triumphant!
   
   I will NEVER forget it. It made me yearn for the simple and truly honest things that life offers to those who are humble and wise enough to keep an open mind.
   
   I pray for those who didn't get the point!

1. Daniel Says:
   May 6th, 2007 at 13:40

   Wow. This film was amazing. I'm 13 and I went with my two friends, the film was good from the beginning, we lost interest during the middle a bit because nothing much happened, but towards the end, once the girl had died, we had been silenced. We didn't talk again until the film ended, I almost cried, I felt so bad for the boy and the girl's parents. Very good film. A favorite.

1. Toonfletch Says:
   May 6th, 2007 at 22:21

   I agree with most that has been said above. I went today and took my kids (4 & 7) thinking it was a narnia movie because of the marketing that had been done by Disney. I'm very disappointed that they really did mislead people by the content of the trailers (learn from that Disney)....I think they missed a trick about advertising what the film was really about. I don't think they believed that would sell....and I think they were wrong.....way wrong.
   
   This film is really good, very good. My kids did sit through it (very surprised that the younger one did), and they were sad when the girl died (my wife and I looked at each other, waiting for the kids to ask questions...but they didn't). I felt I got a lot from the film, and it took me back to my childhood and being out having adventures with friends, not having a care in the world whilst your pretend world came alive around you....until it was time to go home for tea.
   
   I would highly recommend this movie, but don't take youngsters expecting Narnia. Its up there with Stand By Me (but no way ahead....nothing can be ahead of that film). I would recommend my daughters seeing this again when they are older, to pick the messages up that it gives you.

1. Emily Says:
   May 8th, 2007 at 17:03

   It was AWFUL a rip off everything was going great untill the girl died and the only good bit where i actually saw terabithia was at the end for 10seconds! oh yeah i've read the book like they describe the movie as 2kids meeting up becoming friends and they make a new world called terabithia from then on its up to then to help save it as king and queen blah blah blah the movie was nothing like that all you baby's defending it look agsin and see how c*** it is

1. Joey Says:
   May 12th, 2007 at 15:29

   THE WORST MOVIE I EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.
   holy sh!t! that was like a total rip off! the trailers/ads only showed Terabithia, which I only got to see at the last 15seconds. Poor/dirty marketing tatics, by using misleading trailers/ads.
   
   Touching film? I rather touch my own ass. It would have been more touching if the girl still lives in Terabithia and they lived there happily ever after. LOL. Money back guarantee pls. Like at least a quarter of the people in the cinema were sleeping. The movie should be renamed, Building a Bridge to Terabithia.

1. Guru Says:
   May 14th, 2007 at 11:36

   Just when I was beginning to think no movie can move me anymore from the hundreds of movies that I have seen in the past few years, this one made me change my opinion [and I absolutely hated the movie for making me feel so terrible towards the end!!!]. But, honestly, one of the most contemporary movies in the recent times that tries to explain the intricacies of life in a very effective and touching manner. The characters were so real and likeable. I loved it and recommend it for anyone...[except for kids below 10 or someone expecting only fun and fantasies??].

1. dreamer Says:
   May 28th, 2007 at 15:36

   i just came home from watching this movie and i have to say although i have read the book the movie was a downer. The sadness was overwhelming and the fact that disney didnt actually make the movie disney-eee was a major down factor of the movie as a whole. Though the movie kept to the book the trailers were misleading and having brought my little brother along to watch the apparently fairytale-like movie, i was disapointed in the fact that many of the children in the theatre at the time watching this film beside us had infact started crying.
   The movie, yes, can be deemed as inspiring and interesting in the fact that it resembled most of our lives when younger. Bringing back memories of the good and bad times when friends were there and were not there.
   But honestly, even though i would recommend the movie for those of us who need to feel some sort of emotions that impact them to the core. Not for those who want to see another disney happy ending.

1. Maddi Says:
   June 3rd, 2007 at 17:32

   I disagree with all of the comments that say that this is a pointless movie. and if you're bringing young children, check out what the movie's about first. the marketers did a horrible job. this story's not an exciting fantasy; it is a moving drama about life, love, friendship, and the power of imagination. it is real and raw: the girl dies at the end because that is a real scenario. it is heartbreaking, but the message is that life goes on, and you never forget. the world is not always pretty, but if you look, you can see the beauty in it. the way the fantasy scenes were set up is not my favorite, but not bad at all. the acting is superb, and i think that anyone who thinks otherwise is blind and deaf. AnnaSophia Robb played a bubbly, happy girl who didn't care what anyone thought of her. she was funny and charming, but real too. she did a perfect job of conveying the image of hope and imagination, together with mental strength (i'm a sucker for a strong heroine). Josh Hutcherson played a lonely boy who didn't really have any friends but who could draw very well. his family struggled with poverty, and his parents were trying hard to keep the family supported with hard jobs, making them strained and unpleasant. however, they did not come off as mean, which was good. Hutcherson played Jesse's part perfectly, with strong emotion and feeling, without being even slightly pouty. and the end, though overwhelmingly sad, had a feeling of hope again. and of course the girl, May-Belle, was very cute, and played well. Overall, this film was one of the better movies i've seen in a while. it was a very powerful story of friendship, loss, and life. i would give it 5 stars.
   
   p.s. for the annoyingly minded people who have to hate anything that isn't Christian: GET OVER YOURSELVES! NOT EVERYBODY HAS TO BELIEVE IN GOD, AND BESIDES, IT'S WONDERFUL AND A VERY GOOD SPIRITED MESSAGE. but i guess a christian message is anything that kills innocent people and starts wars, so yeah, in that frame of mind, it is anti-christian.

1. Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy Says:
   June 12th, 2007 at 23:14

   Finding family movies that will enthrall and entertain my children who range from 11 years old to six years old is sometimes difficult and I thought that Bridge to Terebithia would be that movie. It wasn't. Our entire family went to see the film and I left feeling sad, cheated, and resentful toward Disney. I expected a friendly family movie with a little fantasy but Leslie's death really wrecked me. Yes, such things happen in real life and yes, my children have lost family members and friends who have died. That made the movie death all the more poignant....especially in our area where a 15 year old boy drowned in a flood swollen river days before we saw the film. At the time we saw it, his body had not been recovered although thankfully it has since then.
   
   To me, going to a movie is a way to escape from stress and reality. Death and violence are one thing if they are expected but when they are not, it was far from relaxing.

1. Mal Says:
   June 17th, 2007 at 00:50

   Just noticed all the comments talking about the 'anti-Christian' themes, well heres some trivia for ya - the author of the book, Katherine Paterson, is a Christian who has worked as a missionary: http://www.terabithia.com/about.html (this is a bio from her official website). Her parents were missionaries also.
   
   The film, and more so the book, contain a number of interesting spiritual themes. I wouldn't label them as anti-Christian though. Examples:
   
   * Leslie goes to church with Jesse and his family. She has never been to church before, and when she goes she finds it all beautiful, while Jesse and his sister find the judgmental lessons they have heard and the threat of hell frightening.
   * May Belle gets very concerned that if Leslie didn’t know Jesus or read her Bible that she would be “damned to hell” instead of getting to go to heaven. She asks in the book, “But Leslie, what if you die?”
   * In the book, Leslie's parents decide to have her body cremated, which stuns Jesse as he is afraid that he wouldn’t even be able to see Leslie in heaven if she is cremated.
   * Jesse is upset that Leslie may not go to heaven when his father reassures Jesse that God doesn't send little girls to hell.
   * In the book, Jesse goes to Terbithia by himself again where he makes a funeral wreath and prays for her.
   
   Some more trivia:
   
   * The author Paterson, believes she probably unconsciously came up with the name 'Terabithia' based on the Island called 'Terebinthia' in the Narnia book, 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader' by C. S. Lewis. She says, 'I'm sure I borrowed that unconsciously, but, then, so would Leslie who loved the Chronicles of Narnia. And, by the way, Lewis got Terebinthia from the Biblical terebinth tree, so it wasn't original with him either.'

1. Mal Says:
   June 17th, 2007 at 00:50

   I enjoyed this movie but, like the others, was disappointed to see that it was not the fantasy movie that the trailer made it out to be
   
   That was really bad marketing on Disney's part (maybe not for them as it got people in the cinemas). I reckon they should release a new version of the trailer hinting to what the story is really about - at least ready for the DVD release or Cinema releases around the world (currently in cinemas here in Australia).

1. Courtney Says:
   June 21st, 2007 at 23:29

   I am 18 years old and this was one of the BEST movies I have ever seen. I watched it with my mom and she loved it too. I think that death is a subject that everyone should tell their kids about because after all everyone will loose someone close to them someday and WE ALL DIE! It was sad and I cried the last 15-20 minutes of the movie but it has many amazing life lessons in it including that we all need JESUS. And for the people that are complaning about the movie not being suitible for children...You should always read why the movie is rated what it is! It is rated PG because some material may not be suitible for children!

1. Tony Says:
   June 22nd, 2007 at 12:19

   Ok, well I have to say a few things to all those people who hate this movie. Do you have a heart? Is it cold? I saw this movie for the first time last night, expecting it to be a fantasy film. Well, after that specific incident, I didn't stop crying until WAY after the end of the movie. In fact, I woke up this morning to find myself crying in my sleep. Does that make me a little girl or a immature child? (I'm 20 and male) I don't think so. I'll explain.
   
   First off I have to say I loved the movie. So, a day later, I'm still having issues with it. Why, especially if I loved it so much? I'm a person who thinks humanity is in real trouble, for a lot of reasons, and no offense to anyone, but I'm pretty discusted (sp?) with how the public is controlled by everyone besides themselves. Media, government, etc... This movie gave me hope that one day people will set aside their differences, learn to live in a world that isn't just real, and most certainly isn't mundane, but wonderous and full of things that can bring joy and ease turmoil. So many lessons can be learned from this movie.
   
   For those of you who thought it was bad because it left you feeling depressed, screw that. Embrace the feeling the film gave you, because pure emotion is a wonderful thing, and I'm guessing that the emotions given from this movie are emotions that we normally block out or ignore. This movie is most certainly one of the best movies ever made (imho) and I believe it should be cherished and I know I will always own a copy.

1. Jenni Says:
   June 23rd, 2007 at 09:54

   AND... Tony- I have a heart. I use it for the real world. My real life has real issues I have to face every day. Going to the movies is supposed to be an ESCAPE from the depressing elements of the real world. Also, if it's a gut-wrenching, kid dying, nose blowing DOWNER... they should advertise it as such!

1. Jenni Says:
   June 23rd, 2007 at 09:54

   Omg. Children's entertainment should not include gut-wrenching DEATH scenes.
   
   BE WARNED: NOT appropriate for children.
   
   Who calls this kind of EMOTIONAL ABUSE "entertainment"??!!
   
   Disney- you are disgusting. You stole my money.

1. End User Says:
   June 25th, 2007 at 00:43

   Yes, it *would* have been a great movie, if the ending hadn't SUCKED. 10's of 1,000's of kids are being exposed to this flop, that *could* have been a rave. I mean, Leslie didn't *have* to die (no matter what the book said) & it would have been great. Young children just aren't ready or capable of handling surprise endings like this, I had to tell my daughter that the purpose of the ending was so that she would imagine that Leslie *didn't* die, & build a fantasy based on what the story would have been like. Hope it works- Disney BLEW it this time.
   
   On a lighter note, Leslie looked very familiar & we didn't realize who she was until we looked up some reviews. She is the little cutie pie who played in Winn Dixie, growing up very nicely. Her next movie *seriously* needs to get her in some Daisey Duke shorts, before it's too late.

1. winston Says:
   June 25th, 2007 at 12:57

   will there be a sequel for bridge to terebithia

1. Sypons Says:
   June 25th, 2007 at 22:41

   Personally I thought that this was a wonderful movie. The fact that it can make and 18 year old boy cry stands testament to that. That said, it is not a children's movie and shouldn't have been marketed as such.
   
   Lets see other issues...
   
   Yes, Disney sucked on the advertising. No way in the world that it should have been advertised as a Narnia type movie, it is nothing of the sort.
   
   Talk of an alternate ending: that would really have detracted from the emotional impact of the film. In fact it would have changed the whole focus and many of the themes in the film. This brings us back to the fact of poor advertising, not what was shown in the clips at all.
   
   As for it being anti-Christian, I'm really not sure what strand of Christianity you subscribe to but from where my friends and I stand it seems to have deeply religious underscorings and I feel sorry for you if your heart is so cold that you can't see that. I'm sure that right now that you're thinking to yourself, 'They're a bunch of teenagers, what do that know. I'm older and I know more about God then them'. I don't really care. From where I stand a person who has to sue someone, to exact revenge, because they didn't get what they expected it more anti-Christian than anything in that film.

1. Nicole Says:
   July 1st, 2007 at 16:52

   This story was very depressing. Why did they have to kill the girl! Do you know how many kids went to see this. Why would the makers of this film portray it to be something like narnia if it wasn't? I watch it last night and woked up depress thinking about the movie. I don't understand why the girl had to die. People already have enough problems. When they see this kind of movie they don't expect to see anyone die especially a kid. They expect to be amazed and be happy. Not crying and turned off. I am very disappointed in the story line. The makers must haved lost their minds to create a suppose to be kids film into a sad film. TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!

1. Stefanie Says:
   July 7th, 2007 at 21:57

   I absolutly LOVED it.
   My dad came home yesterday from Wal-mart, saying that he got a new movie.
   As I grab the dvd from the bag, I was kinda upset and confused, 'cuz from wut the trailers show, it looks pretty dumb and cheezy.
   
   So, I just decided to watch it since I had nothing better to do.
   Right when the movie started, I was already into it.
   It shows hows this boy, Jesse, literally doesn't ever talk to anyone..Notice he goes through virtually the entire morning barely speaking a word.
   
   He finally becomes friends with the new girl in class [[and the girl next door]] and finds more confidence in himself.
   
   The movie really made me cry, even my dad was crying and he's a full grown man.
   My little cousin, 6yrs, said he didn't like it and I can definetly see why.
   Through the eyes of a toddler, they're expecting fun and adventure and happy sappy stuff.
   But what we got was alot more than what I was expecting.
   
   I agree with 100% of everyone that says the trailers were misleading, no doubt about that, but to say it was horrible and a waste of money is completly off guard.
   I was expecting a kiddy, CGI filled, weird movie, but I got almost the opposite.
   
   I recommend it to anyone 9 and over.
   I'm 14, and I LOVED IT.
   
   I wasn't able to go to sleep last night about how tragic it was.
   I was even thinking about it the second I woke up this morning.
   
   I give it 5 stars. And Josh Hutcherson is a hottie..but thats not why I like it so much. =]

1. Dylan Says:
   July 9th, 2007 at 04:25

   WORST FUCKING MOVIE EVER, i mean look i love disney and all of their older and other movies, i was expecting this to be longer and not sad, the girl dieing pissed me off like you don't know because, oh yeah using the guy from terminator, ontop of being a real tough looking guy, being a dad in this "fantasy Movie" really dissapointed me, it was a good thing my best friend rented the shitty movie cuz if it were in my possession, i woulda used it for target practice and then throw up on it over the disgust i had from this movie watching it. im not going to watch the sequal so yeah, DISGUSTING. And i didnt' like how a lil seventh grader and the 18 year old music teacher looked like they were hitting it off oh my god that was so terrible. i mean its one thing if it were high school but junior high, Disney man stop making me pissed off

1. Stefanie Says:
   July 10th, 2007 at 04:21

   To: Dylan
   
   Are you serious, the worst ever?
   So what if the guy from terminator was in it..what does THAT have anything to do with it. I sure as hell didn't remember that till you just mentioned it.
   
   OK, number one...the kid sais they're in 5th grade.
   And the teacher in real life is like..26..she was in Elf with Will Farrel. she played Jovie. What does THAT have anything to do with this..I dont know. There goes some influence from you.
   
   Yo, cmon its a freakin movie. Get over yourself.
   
   I have no idea where you thought it was terrible.
   No affense to you and all but, ......you really never understood the movie at all from what i can tell.

1. You Says:
   July 10th, 2007 at 18:28

   The girl dying makes me laugh.If you cry over life you dissapoint me. EVERYONE WILL DIE AT A TIME. You always get older. Stop crying and do something valuable. I'm not into fantasies but I like eragon. Watch it. Lots of men die in the war.(no blood though) :(
   This movie depicts the boys life so well. If you think its anti-christian so what. You have your own religion. Now shut up. Im christian and I don't care what religion my friends are. So watch the movie and if you hate it piss on it. it's a dvd. Im going to put the scene with the girl dying on loop and see how long it takes for my jaw to clench. Probally a day or two.
   
   
   Grow Up

1. Bill Says:
   July 15th, 2007 at 16:55

   You know, listening to these reviews from these horrified parents thinking they got gyped and demanding their money back. And oh how awful it was for their children to have to see this. Jeffrey Rich sorry that you felt deceived and ripped off...now go back to your sheltered life..I feel sorry for you and the rest of your family. Dan Canon: the fact that you failed to see some important life lessons in the movie, and then call it "anti christian", really appalls me. the boys father did not 'abuse' him, at all. Get over yourself. Great example you set for your kids Dan....you're going to find an attorney to sue Disney. You are one class act parent Dan...can't wait to see how your kids turn out, with your narrow minded, victimization outlook on life. Horrifying Gut wrenching death scenes? Jenni, what planet are you on? I saw the movie, and saw no gut wrenching death scenes....you never see what happens to Leslie, you're just told about it.
   For all of you parents sitting here beating your breasts at home and feeling like you've been wronged, and that your kids have forever been traumatized, lets put some perspective out there for you.
   
   The movie Bambi. His mother gets shot by a hunter.
   
   Old Yeller. Dog gets rabies, and has to get shot.
   
   Hmmmmmmmm, I was a kid, when I saw those movies and I cried. So did everyone else in the theater.
   You people are over reacting to the point, where I'm quite certain you're all sitting there trying to find a good therapist to take your kids to, or finding a good drug regimen to put them on. Good lord, you people just don't get it do you? As parents you could have sat down with your child and talked about the movie, and discussed all of the good things about it, the positive life lessons that were shown. When I was in grade school, I was read the book, "Where the red fern grows". Very strong stuff, but good life lessons learned, indeed.
   This boy learns that life does go on...learns to open his mind and his heart. We're even taught the downside of playing a trick on someone we think deserves it, because they're mean. Yet we learn that even the "meanies" are people too...and we find out that they have feelings too...and that they deserve to be treated kindly. I'm surprised the "Christians" didn't figure this out....maybe they need to go back to church a few more times...or perhaps to a different one.
   Not every movie should be an escapist device...this film had nice escapism at times, but overall, it was a very moving story, very beautifully done, and I felt enriched by it...and yes, I cried. You so called parents missed a big opportunity, and I'm aghast at your reactions to this. So your child was sad, and cried....so the movie wasn't what you expected. I go back to the previous two movies I mentioned...Bambi and Old Yeller. We didn't know that there was going to be a death happening in either of those films. And I'm sure that if any of you were asked about these movies, you'd say, "Oh those are classics!" This WAS an excellent family movie. People like you are so blasted hypersensitive to the point where you can't DEAL with reality, and you blow things so completely out of proportion to the point where it's ridiculous. I'm ashamed to think that most of you are in the same age group as me. I applaud "Tony" for having the insight that he does for being only 20. the rest of you ought to take some lessons from that.

1. Michael Says:
   July 15th, 2007 at 20:14

   Amen.

1. William Says:
   July 21st, 2007 at 02:45

   What ever happened to the feel good movie. Tear jerkers are fine in all, but little kids want to see a good fantasy movie, not about death and dieing.
   Give me a break. I am going to feel horible thinking about this one for a while.

1. maddy and liz Says:
   July 23rd, 2007 at 20:36

   ELIZABETH AND I loved this film! it was sooo GOOD! we thought it suited the film when the girl died! OOPPS just gave it away. ITs was soooo scary at times with the GIANT! BUT IT was reall cool! WE LUVED THE SPECIAL EFFECTS and the computerised siber mashines!
   WE LOVEED IT WITH ALL OUR HEART AND SOUL!

1. Somebody with a brain Says:
   July 26th, 2007 at 14:30

   Well,
   
   I have to say that this movie was a wonderful change from the other movies that have come out in past years that have very little to no story line, or the few that do have story lines are so thrown together and they are so terribly written that children and adults forget that life isn't about all of that fun, fantasy stuff. It is fine to go there occasionally, and many of the stories are great and wonderfully written, but it seems to me that we want to shelter our children from the things that make us human, like tears, and subject them things that are totally inappropriate, like farting, burping or pulling a giant thing of earwax out of your ear to make a candle, to get a laugh. Sure, those other movies are okay for older children and adults, but we are telling our children that it is okay to be gross and it's not okay to have real emotional human feelings!
   
   I think that this movie is a wonderful teaching guide. Watch the movie and then sit down with your children and discuss what happened and how it made them feel. We are too quick to want to put our kids in front of a movie that will entertain them, so that we don't have to raise them. Try raising your kids for a change and let them know that it is okay to cry, to feel bad and that in the end evertthing will work out, it always does!
   
   Go watch this movie, it was WONDERFUL and a great applause to the author of the book and producers, writers, and all those involved with the movie, very good movie!!!
   
   BTW, all of my kids loved it, even the two year old!

1. kelly Says:
   August 7th, 2007 at 16:23

   i thoughy it was a really good movie. but i cried when leslie died i saw no point. they should make a sequil where leslie comes back to life somhow and they go back to terabithia and live happly ever after but all together it was a wonderful movie

1. Taz Says:
   August 13th, 2007 at 01:16

   cronicles of nardia was dumb. this movie wasn't. it teaches kids to use there imagination and for people who say it's boring, i guess they want to watch a movie that is 100 percent real. I did get fined 1200 dollars for breaking something at the theater when leslie died though. she could have at least come back in terabitha, but she didn't. just remember that the movie teaches kids to have an imagination. and also for what [you] said; I can tell you are just a kid. just a kid who has nothing nice to say and a waste of good space. somebody like leslie could take your place in the world and she would make something out of life better than you could. think about if one of your friends died. no, what if your ONLY friend died? I bet your jaw would clench then you sorry piece of sh*t

1. sam Says:
   August 14th, 2007 at 22:46

   I agree with all the comments condemning disney and the makers of this film for falsly advertising the movie. For those people who snarkily remarked that people should have done more research, I was just trying to rent a fun family video for my kids and I to watch together, not writing my disertation. The DVD's cover and the photos and info on the back cover all indicated a fantasy movie, not a tragic story of loss and sort of recovery (I assume there was a whole lot more depth to the ending in the book then there was in the movie.) Fans of the book may have loved it, and it might have been something for my older daughter and I to share, but this just seemed like a bait and switch job. Some ad genius thought more people would see it if it was connected to Narnia (boldly mentioned above the movies title on the front cover) instead of advertising what they had really made.

1. Yuz Says:
   August 16th, 2007 at 16:46

   Clearly, the ones really at fault here are the jackasses at Disney who designed the cheesy trailer that made parents with little kids wanting a feel-good fantasy movie go see it and be disappointed, while making people like me who had read the book think that they had wrecked the entire story and made it cheesy. That's just an unforgivable sin on their part, and I can't believe those trailers got past the cutting room.
   
   Anyway, people who say this film sucked because it was depressing--grow up! I suppose you have somewhat of an excuse, considering what you thought you were going to see, but really... what truly great film has ever been made that has ever just been a fluffy, feel-good, heartwarming "escape" from the real world, with no themes of sadness or reality? Yeah, I thought so. This is pathetic.
   
   

1. Ghode Says:
   August 19th, 2007 at 12:38

   Well.......this movie bit the dust for us. Echoing the reports above about bait & switch false advertising is certainly the major case here. I have to say our family wasn't prepared for the loss in the movie, that alone was a terrible disapointment and had pretty much decided for us to review movies from Disney from now on.
   Sure everyone has thier perspective about the "emotional value" etc... Great for adult and teens who like this sort of thing, but no one should have this thrust upon them without choice. Sure they say life is like that, but do those people go out of thier way to watch emotional wrenching movies because thier own lives lack it?
   Well I certainly don't feel my 10 yr old should be surprised like that. This was not a younger childrens film at all, and we felt as a whole that the ending could have seriously been better. But it seems Disney writers get a kick out of SHOCK value, "Hey lets make 1000s of children cry and the parents won't even expect it!! Look how artsy we are!!"..........assholes.
   Anyway this is Mine and MY familys experiance and how we feel, I in no way expect this post to invalidate anyone elses experiance, we each have our needs in entertainment we select. To me this is not something I wanted in a Disney movie.

1. Leo Says:
   August 22nd, 2007 at 23:23

   I must say, I'm pretty surprised and a bit upset by the reaction of several of the parents on this page. I'm not a father, being only 22, but I am an uncle and have a 5-year-old niece. I took her to see this movie in theaters and I was too surprised by the passing of one of the main characters but was not angry over it. I think this film is an excellent teaching tool. The two main characters here go through so much in both their school and home life that just about every child today can relate to in one way or another. As much as we would like to shield them from it, death is one of those ordeals. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of children in the US today will have someone close to them, whether family or friends, pass away before reaching adulthood. This film portrays the trauma of that happening, but goes further in also explaining that even in such tragedy, its possible to move on and come to terms with it. As much as we like, there is no real way to protect them from the truths of the life. So why not instead try to teach them, help them understand it better so they are better prepared for it?
   
   So I ask you, why is this film not appropriate for children? Because as far as I’m concerned, there is no better children’s film to come out of Disney in a long time.

1. Olivia Says:
   August 29th, 2007 at 22:40

   I love the movie Bridge to Terabithia and I think its great I think the actors were amazing and it would have took alot of time to do Jess and Leslie were great and little May Belle was so cute well done and I hope to see you again on another film
   
   Ialso think this is a fantastic movie for all ages

1. Rebecca_Brad Says:
   December 30th, 2007 at 15:24

   My fience and I were very dissapointed in this film. It was pretty good up until they killed off leslie, that royaly sucked... The author created such a beautiful character in leslie and the movie could have taken so many alternative paths which would have made the story so much better. At the very least keeping leslie's memory alive in terabithia would have been a better ending where she would still be a part of the world she had created instead of just the world itself continuing without her.

1. Rebecca_Brad Says:
   December 30th, 2007 at 15:24

   My fience and I were very dissapointed in this film. It was pretty good up until they killed off leslie, that royaly sucked... The author created such a beautiful character in leslie and the movie could have taken so many alternative paths which would have made the story so much better. At the very least keeping leslie's memory alive in terabithia would have been a better ending where she would still be a part of the world she had created instead of just the world itself continuing without her.

1. randy Says:
   January 30th, 2008 at 21:46

   i have watched this movie 4 times and plan to buy it. it's one of the best lessons of the impotance of friendship i've ever seen, anyone who has not lost ther best friend probaly would not understand !!!

1. Nick Says:
   February 11th, 2008 at 23:57

   I too, was expecting to see another Chronical's of Narnia, and I'm almost glad it wasn't. The part of the movie that teaches a lesson was great and very understandable. However, the trailers of the film were precieved to be another fantasy movie about kings, queens, kingdoms, adventure, and mythical creatures. The ending was easily one of the worst I've ever seen. I felt like dieing when the father told Jesse, "Leslie fell into the river, hit her head and drowned." This was terrible. Not only does it ruin the movie, but it probobly scares children when they watch it. The lesson was perfect, but Leslie dieing was totally unnessesary. A good ending would have consisted of Leslie and Jesse growing up together and becoming the married Queen and King of Terabithia. It should have ended with the two sitting on a thrown with all of their mythical followers, or people, standing before them. Please make sure trailers are more specific as to what film's are about from here on. I would rather not be dissapointed and almost cry due to a tragic ending ever again. I loved the movie, but the ending ruined it. Very much so ruined.

1. mariana Says:
   February 18th, 2008 at 18:40

   is te best movie!
   i love it
   
   my best friend die so i like very much the movie because it's like my life,
   i have 13 years old and this is my favorite movie=D
   i'm of mexico so i din't speak very good eanglish i hope you understand.
   
   

1. GEORICH NARCISO Says:
   March 8th, 2008 at 11:24

   its terrific! i love to see the cast in person, i hope they can see me. its one of my favorite movie>

1. Julio Egleesius Says:
   March 28th, 2008 at 15:57

   "I feel cheated and want my money back from Disney for the deception and for making my child cry!!! "
   
   Dear AnneP,
   
   Disney didn't make your child cry, YOU MADE YOUR CHILD CRY by bringing her to an inappropriate movie. Do a bit of research (even a google search) and you shall see that this movie is not reccomended for younger children. Incidently, it is a very good movie although with a sad subject matter for sure.

1. DENISE CRYSTAL Says:
   April 15th, 2008 at 23:38

   THE MOST HORRIBLE MOVIE EVER!!! I was so, so disapointed! they made this movie look so fun and mystical. it was totaly depressing. this movie is not for any one. it is sad for children and very dull 4 aldults. thin movie takes the cake as the WORST EVER!

1. Frank Says:
   May 25th, 2008 at 15:44

   The trailers were in fact nothing like the book or the movie itself, however the movie pretty much stayed true to the book, maybe they should have payed more attention to the story line than the fantasy, but how else are you going to get children to watch the movie?

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