Bridge To Terabithia
Thursday, 03 May 2007 17:33
A good, fun film
Directed by Gabor Csupo, out May 4th at the cinema, starring Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick, 95min..
In a nutshell…
Enthralling. Fun. Emotive.
What's it all about?
Jess is an artistic and lonely young boy struggling to fit in at school and at home when fate intervenes in the form of vibrant tomboy Leslie, an aspiring writer.
The two become firm friends and using their fertile imaginations create a fantasy kingdom called Terabithia, enabling them to temporarily escape the bullies and problems they face in the real world.
Who's in it?
Josh Hutcherson is the likeable lead, brash yet shy. AnnaSophia Robb sparkles as Leslie and Robert Patrick of T2 fame is suitably world-weary as Jess’s father.
As an example…
"I’ve got four, and I’d trade them all for a good dog,” Jess bemoaning the fact he’s got four sisters.
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Possibly for the superb special effects sequences created by WETA Digital.
What the others say
"Smart, sprightly and sensitive, this is like a junior-edition Heavenly Creatures, complete with ace chemistry." - Total Film.
"People who are drawn to the movie by the special effects may be disappointed to find out that the film actually stays fairly true to the book (by Katherine Paterson), much of which takes place in a poor farmer’s home and the school his children attend." - Christianity Today Movies.com
So is it any good?
Hands up! How many of you found school to be a bittersweet experience at best? Well, for aspiring artist Jess school’s a miserable place riddled with bullies and casual cruelty.
However, he finds a kindred spirit in quick-witted new girl Leslie, and after an initial period of dislike the duo become inseparable.
When they discover a derelict treehouse in the woods near their homes, the pair imagine it’s part of a fantastical kingdom called Terabithia, and they envision themselves as the saviours of this realm, intent on freeing it from the evil Dark Master and his hordes.
Battling monsters in the thrilling Terabithia sequences inspire Jess and Leslie to take on their classroom bullies and satisfyingly defeat them using brains rather than brawn.
Director Gabor Csupo, who graduated from cartoon shows, brings out naturalistic performances from his talented cast, and strikes a wonderful blending of reality, humour, drama and fantasy.
8/10
Lee Davis
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