The Movie Diorama This was not the film I thought it was going to be. Looking at the cover, I see plenty of fairies and a luscious kingdom as a backdrop. Sure, those elements are incorporated but the beauty of this melancholic tale is how these friends survive reality. Two friends decide to use their imagination to create a visionary world called Terabithia. Acting as an escape from reality, the two form a close bond where they choose to help each other through situations in reality. Filmed through the perspective of children, we watch their views on certain life qualities: family, friendship, love and loss. The imaginary world juxtaposes with the often harsh reality they reside in. Forceful parents, countless bullies at school, lack of friends...all naturally occurring aspects in one's life. Our protagonist then uses his artistic skills to escape these and his new friend opens his mind to the use of imagination, or more like role-play. The reason why I say melancholic, is because of that ending. Powerful? Sure. Was it needed? Definitely. It shows how developed the main character is throughout his childhood, a very short duration of time. Hutcherson and Robb have beautiful onscreen chemistry, I really adored the attention to detail regarding their friendship. Madison was particularly outstanding as Jess's younger sister. The story was well paced, heartwarming and surprisingly a faithful adaptation. I felt the visual effects were sub-par, especially for a fantasy flick, and the usage of Terabithia felt limited. I wanted more. It just couldn't decide from being a fantasy film or a coming-of-age drama where occasionally the two just do not mix well. Also, a teacher would not ask a student to go to the museum on a weekend. Not in this day and age. However, this is an above average family fantasy drama that can entertain younger audiences and emotionally stimulate mature viewers. Just, open your heart to the film and the ending will hit you. Was executed majestically.

Irishchatter I remember reading the book on my last year of primary school and lemme tell ya, it was seriously sad for a 12 year old haha ! I actually forgot all about it, until I've seen the movie airing on Channel 4 today. It really brought memories because actually, my classmates and myself on our school tour in 2007 had a choice to watch either "Pirates of the Caribbean:At World's End" or this. No doubt since I am a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean so I went to see that instead! Anyways let's talk about the film, wow I didn't realise young Josh Hutcherson was on this! May, he looked so young and is different now as a grown up! Himself and AnnaSophia Robb looked so cute together! Their relationship really blossomed as the film went on and that's what I liked about the story because it reflects friendship no matter what age, religion, circumstances, gender you are! I was very saddened that Leslie died because it brought a flashback to me when I read the book in class and heard she got drowned! Very sad!This is the best movie adaption although like any movie taken from novels, it wouldn't be the same as the book. Sure, it's good enough because they did a good job in making this movie happen!

DreadfulA Bridge to Terabithia is one of my personal favourite movies. In my opinion it's a children's story made for adults, since it might be too tragic and dark for a small child. Lot of the movie takes place at school, which is familiar to all of us. At home we see Jess' family, who, excluding the father, do stay in the background of the story. We don't ever really learn to know the older sisters and mother too well, which is my only complaint. Okay, they don't really bring anything to the actual story, but still they seem rushed. Even the father, Robert Patrick, comes out one dimensional, probably to enhance his strict attitude against Jess. He is always more demanding towards Jess, but May Belle, the younger sister, get's more wanted attention from him. Understandable because Jess is the only boy in the family.Jess and Leslie's friendship at first seem quite unlikely. Jess is an introverted boy and Leslie a new comer in school. But they quickly learn to share same visions, imagination and justice and soon become inseparable. It happens so fast, what is only possible in children's world. They don't yet have learned to be careful, because in adult world you possibly couldn't trust someone so wholeheartedly. Tragic is, that this friendship ends even quicker than it started, and it destroys the viewers heart. Watching Jess struggle his way out of disbelief and fight his all too sensible parents, and when he calls for Leslie in the woods just to wait for her to pop up from the background like she never went away, is heart wrenching. Soon Jess will learn how unfair life is, reality of it I mean. For a while he sinks in despair, grieves and loses belief in the magic world they created together. Then he finds May Belle's drawing and sees the potential in his little sister and gives her a chance. He takes May Belle with him, finally, since the little girl has wanted to join her brother's and Leslie's play from the beginning. May Belle witnesses the imaginary world together with her brother. World is saved. Terabithia again has a king, and a new princess.AnnaSophia Robb and Bailee Madison were brilliant in this movie. When Janice steals May Belle's twinkie and Leslie raises a campaign to "free the pee" during recess is fun to watch. I love children's stories and Bridge to Terabithia has inspired me a lot during the years. Its beautiful scenery and subtle use of CGI creates a perfect balance between fantasy and reality.

Ole Sandbaek Joergensen This is a sweet story, but with a twist of sad, it is very well made, entertaining and pleasant to watch with a bit of lecture or positive messaging about having an open mind, being positive and seeing the troubled person behind the bully.This is a nice children's movie, it is a "small" film with a big hearth, believable and honest dialogue. It has a lot of things you might not see in other movies but also a lot that we are used to from other films in the same genre, it has moving moments, imaginary friends, responsibilities and consequences.All in all a very nice film for children of all ages, I and the kids was entertained, them a little bit more then I, but okay for a nice family afternoon.