Bridge to Terabithia

The theme is essential and the basic idea that friendship and human imagination can overcome many problems and beautify the surrounding world is undoubtedly truthful and deeply human. However, I have a problem with the execution, which seems template-like, emotionally calculated (especially the ending), and directorially conventional. I was also not satisfied with the cast, especially the children - not that the children acted outrightly badly, but their performers lacked charisma. Last but not least, I also disliked the level of special effects, although that is something I usually do not pay attention to. Overall impression: 50%. (31/01/2009)

I have a huge weakness for films that celebrate the human imagination, a capacity I never want to lose. And Bridge to Terabithia is an ode to the imagination. It truthfully shows how powerful it can be, and why one should never stop dreaming, and demonstrates this through a sympathetic, funny and moving story. However, I don't give the film full stars for two reasons: The first is the digital effects, which, although decent (Weta is Weta), are completely unnecessary. Not only is their use not very logical (two people imagine the same non-existent things in exactly the same way?), but they also "rob" the viewer of his imagination, which he doesn't have to engage because of all the digi-creatures being served up. The second reason is the ending, a really beautiful climax to the story, but one in which I was missing an important thing - for the two of them to meet again, or at least see each other from afar. It would be possible in Terabithia. (09/04/2012)

I told myself that it would be nice to watch a nice fairytale story again. Well, that's exactly what I got. A beautiful fairytale story where reality intertwines with the incredible, similar to the movie "Big Fish". It certainly doesn't reach the quality of Burton's brilliant film "Terabithia", but the child actors' performances are what really hold it together. The imagination aspect is not that great, but still, it's supposed to be a child's imagination, so it can have its limitations. The film tries to shock with one big moment, which it succeeds in, but the consequences for the heroes are not that significant. It's true that I wanted a happy ending, but I'm glad that something similar didn't happen. Don't show it to children, they could be very sad. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/04/diar-milovnika-filmu-c-005-reziser.html (15/02/2013)

I am probably not going to be the first or the last to have expected this movie to be just another commercial fantasy movie like The Chronicles of Narnia or Peter Pan. The trailer even looked like it was going to be just that. However, this really was not any kind of a rip-off – Bridge to Terabithia is an original movie that does not copy anything else and does not try to be what it really is not. The cast is excellent, especially AnnaSophia Robb, who seems to be a very talented actress. Josh Hutcherson is also good at evoking emotions (especially at the end) and Robert Patrick makes a great daddy-terminator. A very decent movie for kids over twelve, however, I do not know if younger kids could handle the terribly sad emotional ending. (21/07/2008)

The fewer the effects and fantastic quests, the more soul and magic. The intro may give the impression of a fantasy ignitor for extinct emos, but the excellent soundtrack and very good child actors give the film the joyful magic of free fantasizing. A unique mix of children's coloring books, Peter Pan and a love story for teenagers takes on a new dimension after a twist, which surprisingly revealed to me how much I was able to empathize with the film's cuteness. Very pleasant and peacefully acquired emotions, Gábor Csupó can do almost exactly what Marc Forster did with his Finding Neverland… and like him, he does not have excessive visuality, but the work with the characters is excellent, and I admit that I shed a tear. A film for everyone who likes to return to childhood and sometimes lives in dreams. (13/05/2008)