Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Bridge to Terabithia (2007) 7/10
I remember reading Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson as a kid. Paterson won the 1978 Newbery Medal for this book and it is probably one of the books that all kids should read. It is a smart, heartfelt and intelligent tale which has been lovingly adapted to screen in this 2007 version. I did not know it when i read it as a kid, but because of the novel’s content it has been the frequent target of censors and appears on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000 at number nine. But it stands in good company. Other so-called ‘objectionable’ books include Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Harry Potter.
But back to the film itself, which is a solid adaptation. Not quite Pan’s Labyrinth, but much better than Narnia. Special mention goes to the cast, especially the 2 main leads Josh Hutcherson & AnnaSophia Robb who reminded me of younger versions of Jake Gyllenhaal & Kiera Knightly, who put in excellent performances. Proving that you don’t need the budget of Harry Potter or Narnia to create a good film. It is an intelligent film that doesn’t dumb down the material to appeal to kids nor does it necessarily feel bound to give a perfunctory happy ending , and as such will find fans even amongst adults.
“Sensitivity is the hallmark of “Terabithia,” which bravely and straightforwardly addresses subjects routinely bypassed by filmmakers, including young people’s interpretations of Christianity.”- Sanford
“It’s both earthy and magical, one for children and adults to enjoy together.”- Michael Wilmington
