Published: March 02, 2007 10:25 am         

‘Bridge to Terabithia’ an adventure worth taking

4 out of 5 leaves

I first discovered Terabithia about 16 years ago. As a young bookworm, my copy of Katherine Paterson’s book was well worn from many readings.

So, as you can imagine, when I heard a few months ago that there would be a film version of the 1977 book, “Bridge to Terabithia,” I was pretty excited. I was also a little worried.

What if the movie was so bad that it ruined the book for me? What if Jess and Leslie, the main characters, were nothing like I’d imagined?

Fortunately, I didn’t need to worry. The movie is excellent.

Josh Hutcherson stars as Jess, an outcast farm boy who at first isn’t too excited when the new girl at school, Leslie (Annasophia Robb) moves in next door and can run faster than him and all the other boys in the fifth grade.

Soon, however, the pair — united by their creativity — become friends and create the world of Terabithia in the woods near their homes. It is there they fight evil trolls and other creatures that are trying to attack their land.

(By the way, the advertising for this movie is very misleading. It makes it look like this is primarily an animated film when in fact there is little animation.)

While the movie is about friendship, it delves much deeper than that. Like the book, the film takes on some serious issues. Child abuse, religion and death are all tackled. For that reason, this movie might not be the best for preschool-age or young children.

Anyone who has read the book knows that something very shocking and sad happens toward the end. If you haven’t read the book, be prepared.

While there are plenty of serious notes, there are also several humorous parts. At one point, the school bully, Janice Avery, is making little girls pay in order to use the bathroom. Leslie stands up to Janice and begins a chant of “Free the pee! Free the pee!” and the other little girls join in. It is very cute.

Leslie’s church outfit is pretty funny, too.

There are so many things to like about this movie. My guess would be that Robb, the young actress who plays Leslie, will be a star in the not-too-distant future. She is impossible not to like.

I also think the movie’s focus on creativity is refreshing. Leslie and Jess are constantly using their imagination. They are not sitting inside playing video games. The focus on exercise is great, too. Everywhere Jess and Leslie go, they run. In this movie, it is a huge deal to be the fastest kid in your grade level. I think we have lost some of that today.

If you haven’t read the book, read it. If you haven’t seen the movie, go see it.

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tara.layne@goshennews.com