Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: February 16, 2007
7.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 303 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
221
Mixed:
45
Negative:
37
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)
9
TheDuckManOct 17, 2013
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was an English Task

The fantasy film, “The Bridge to Terabithia” is about two young outsiders who use the power of imagination and their unique bond to create a world of their own. Filled with fantastic creatures and free of bullies and the pressures and loneliness of the real world, Terabithia provides a refuge from the sorrows of the real world created by their combined imagination and faith.

Jess dreams of shaking his "loser" image by winning an annual foot race at school. Times are hard on the family farm, and Jess trains for the race in an old pair of sneakers held together by little more than duct tape and faith. But his dream is “dashed” when Leslie, the new girl in school, speeds past him and rest of the pack in the "boys only" race. Despite this rocky start, the two discover they have a lot in common and become fast friends. Both are outsiders, but they are also blessed with rich imaginations and creative talent—Jess for drawing and Leslie for telling stories. Over the course of the school year, they imagine an enchanted world of their own—a magical kingdom in the woods only accessible by swinging across a stream on a rope. They call their land Terabithia, and as king and queen, they fight against the Dark Master and his creatures.
But their fantastical reveries are far from empty daydreaming; they prove to be therapeutic and instructive. Each adventure they complete and every troll or "hairy vulture" they vanquish represents a real life adversary or hurdle. The film explores the power of imagination and fantasy to help us understand and cope with the challenges and complexities of real life. They even learn that more often than not, the best weapon is kindness, and the most effective way to eliminate an enemy is to turn him or her into a friend. The film also explores the positive power of imagination. In order to create a better world, we must first be able to envision one, and more importantly, believe in it. Is it any wonder Jesus extolled the "faith of a child"?
In a particularly lovely scene, Jess’ family takes Leslie to church, something she has never done before. Her "first impressions" of God and Jesus are heart-warming and revelatory. One life lesson that Jess and Leslie's adventures do not prepare them for is how to cope with death. Yet, even in Terabithia, death is part of the cycle of life—even sudden, senseless death. The Author has defended the death as an important and realistic element in the story. Seeing how the characters both cope with and heal from this tragedy is revealing and comforting. Although this may be a story filled with fantasy, it is primarily a story about dealing with real life struggles, including coping with loss.
The problem with “The Bridge to Terabithia” is the aforementioned (a fancy word I found) make-believe. They’re showing us the world through the eyes of these kids, so when they start imagining that they’re in their own fantastical world of Terabithia; we see what they’re imagining in their heads as if it’s real. That means a little bit of CGI. Not a lot, but enough to be annoying. Fantasy beasts just don’t fit a film that’s otherwise so wonderfully rooted in the soil of reality, and those few sequences when they’re forced upon us don’t really grab our attention very much. There’s never any question of whether or not their appearance is merely a product of the kid’s imagination, so watching Jesse fight a giant squirrel isn’t the most interesting part of the film. There’s no sense of danger or doubt about the outcome. It’s just doesn’t grab your attention.

Describing the wonders of scuba diving in a school essay, Leslie writes, "I didn’t have enough air to see everything I wanted to, and that just made it more special." In a way, this line also describes a central message of the film: We should cherish the time we’re given and the people and experiences in our lives, because we never know how long it will last. Bridge to Terabithia is an endlessly imaginative and deeply compassionate film about building bridges between people and forging bonds—with fathers, teachers, neighbours and even bullies. Sometimes, as they say in the film, all you need to do is believe and "keep your mind wide open."
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
warnertJul 3, 2020
For those who hate the movie cause of a child dying at the end, are idiots and never read the book!! If Katherine (the author) had hated it because of an ending she wrote she either would be crazy( she liked it so she is actually a genius) orFor those who hate the movie cause of a child dying at the end, are idiots and never read the book!! If Katherine (the author) had hated it because of an ending she wrote she either would be crazy( she liked it so she is actually a genius) or the movie would’ve never been released!! The whole point of the book was to comfort her son for the death of his girl friend, who got struck by lightning!!! The movie was a wonderful portrayal of the book, and All the cast were amazing!! For me it was Annasophia Robb especially, fell in love by the end of the movie!! Was the first movie my late grandfather took me and my little sister to and comforted me at the end while I was bawling my eyes out!! Gabor Scupo was really fantastic and the direction by him made me truly feel what was supposed to be felt!!! The whole movie is a 100% great movie and no critic should hate it, especially none film industry workers, because you can’t do better, don’t criticize those who can!! All in all,

Love a first site and getting a better understanding of a kid’s life the goods and the bads, especially since I was bullied my whole life and didn’t and still don’t really get along with my dad and grew up with 2 older and 1 younger sisters, I related a lot to Jess!!!

The end, don’t hate till you made a better version/ actually read the book and the background, be informed, not ignorant!! Thanks,
Erez Bailen, writer and actor and soon to be film maker
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
f3l1p3Sep 7, 2014
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Um belo e comovente filme. Você pode chorar às vezes, principalmente na morte de Leslie. Um grande filme para crianças e adultos. O mais interessante desse é a criatividade na elaboração de seu enrendo. Fantástico! Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
SirHarryNov 18, 2014
Now this is a "coming to age" love story though it's not the point. From the book alone, Katherine Paterson made it really relates to young teens. The story lines are better than a usual lovey-dovey types of some sort. Likewise, a good storyNow this is a "coming to age" love story though it's not the point. From the book alone, Katherine Paterson made it really relates to young teens. The story lines are better than a usual lovey-dovey types of some sort. Likewise, a good story would really contribute top the realization and lesson to the readers thoughts. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
itchipodJun 1, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I cried a lot, this movie is very sad. When one of the protagonists died, and the other one has to cope up with his feeling, that's when my tears crumbled. No such movie made me sad such as this. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
MadMaxFuryRoadJul 12, 2015
A lot better than I expected it to be and the ending was just so sad. It was nice to see Josh Hutcherson when he was little and now... Hunger Games??? This movie is great for kids and I really enjoyed it.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
MasterRileySep 3, 2019
Bridge to Terabithia is a very fun and heart warming movie about two kids becoming friends and making up an imaginary land together. But as the story progresses, it becomes a very sad but touching movie that everyone can learn something from.Bridge to Terabithia is a very fun and heart warming movie about two kids becoming friends and making up an imaginary land together. But as the story progresses, it becomes a very sad but touching movie that everyone can learn something from. Even though it is sad, it is a movie everyone should see. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
alejandro970Apr 7, 2023
As a film for family audiences, what it does best is please, resorting to its own voice without resembling what is already known. The special effects are at the service of the film and not the other way around.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
mmahdishJul 23, 2017
this movie changed the way i think about life concepts such as how to grow our children, the importance of imagination for children and how we should not suppress their minds.the more you see this movie, the more you notice the things thatthis movie changed the way i think about life concepts such as how to grow our children, the importance of imagination for children and how we should not suppress their minds.the more you see this movie, the more you notice the things that could go other ways in your childhood and make you enjoy it better. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
8
Mr_PopoSep 9, 2017
I re watched it for old time's sake. I would've have given it a 10 back then. Now, I feel like it deserves a 7 but I'm giving it an 8 just for the memories.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
9
FilipeNetoOct 1, 2018
When I found this movie, I thought it would just be another Disney animation in a magical land, with fairies, goblins and other creatures. It's much better. The whole story is based on the friendship of two preteens, a boy and a girl, whoWhen I found this movie, I thought it would just be another Disney animation in a magical land, with fairies, goblins and other creatures. It's much better. The whole story is based on the friendship of two preteens, a boy and a girl, who feel united by fantasy and imagination, tools that they learn to use to overcome and overcome the difficulties of everyday life. It's a film loaded with sensitivity and feelings, which focuses on the strength of creativity and friendship.

Josh Hutcherson "was born" on TV but this film, along with "Polar Express", allowed him to jump to the movies and mature years later in "Hunger Games". He is a good actor, although still very young, and it shone in this film next to AnnaSophia Robb, equally competent in a character who is present even when it is absent. Being a teen movie, it is natural for adults to be in the shade. So I was very surprised to see Zooey Deschanel in the role of a mere music teacher, whose most notable sequence was a visit to a museum. Robert Patrick (T-1000 of "Terminator 2") was also very good in the role of a rough father, with his feet firmly on the ground, expecting from his son a maturity that he's not yet prepared to have. On a technical level, it's an elegant movie that looks simpler than it is. Good but discrete cinematography and high-quality CGI, focused on very specific points in the film, help to reinforce this sense of apparent simplicity. It's the beauty of simple things that stand out. And friendship among young people is so simple, isn't it?
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
meydianarizki21Oct 18, 2020
When you see the previews of this movie, it comes off at a "Narnia" type film. you would be FAR MISTAKEN too take it at that, and not see the movie. It is this ages "My Girl". if you loved that movie, you will certainly want to see thisWhen you see the previews of this movie, it comes off at a "Narnia" type film. you would be FAR MISTAKEN too take it at that, and not see the movie. It is this ages "My Girl". if you loved that movie, you will certainly want to see this film.

It is heart warming, enchanting, and deals with real life, and death. and all of the joys, wonders and imagination that comes with growing up.

I had a friend, who REFUSED to see this film for a whole month. I finally dragged her to this movie, and she fully expected it to be Narnia, after the movie, she left crying and thanked me for taking her to see it.

It is hard to explain the movie, without giving up too much of the plot. but if you read the book you know what it is about. ( i went to the books store to get this book, and it is only about 120 pages. it was amazing to see such a movie done with so little that was originally written)

For a book to movie translation i give it a 10 out of 10.

As a movie alone, i give it a 8 out of 10. the only thing i didn't like about the movie is that the pace is a little slow, and some parts could have been extended in more detail.
Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
CarrickMay 8, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Heartwarming and tragic movie. I easily would’ve rated it a 7/10, but the awful ending brought it down to a 5. Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
deanmwonDec 19, 2019
amo demais caralho esse filme é tudo e como que só tá com nota 75 merecia 100
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
StopMotionSamMay 10, 2021
Great movie just like the book. I have written some essays on it in school because I love it so much. Some people hate the ending but then they have never read the book. Beautiful film.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
10
JAKEJACOBJORDSep 17, 2021
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
ali_najiOct 11, 2021
the film was very great and beautiful and had a fascinating story ❤❤❤❤❤
11 October 2021
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
JJ2FAS4UJan 3, 2022
----------------------------------7.4/10-----------------------------------
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews