Bridge to Terabithia (****)

I just finished watching Bridge to Terabithia, and instead of going to bed like a normal person, I’m up past midnight (I get it from my Mom) writting in the Lauer Family Blog about it.  So, to start off, let’s just say I hated this movie, don’t ever go and see it, which is to say, I loved it and everyone should see it.  This inner conflict stems from the fact that I don’t like being made an emotional wreck of by a movie (yes I’m a softy).  WARNING SPOILER AHEAD…  I knew going into this that someone was going to die (thanks Meredith), but it still caught be off guard – they really spring it on you.  And then I was choked up for over 20 minutes.  Good thing I wasn’t in public, I have a reputation to uphold you know. 

Anyway, I thought the characters were well developed, and the acting was wonderful.  Whoever cast this should win an Oscar.  The lead roles were played by Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb, and I’m a new fan of both.  I know plenty of adult actors who’s talent doesn’t stack up to either one of these two (see my comments about Keanu Reeves in my review of The Lake House. 

Bridge to Terabithia is one of those good clean movies that seem so rare these days.  It’s a story of a young boy who doesn’t fit in at school or at home.  Then a new neighbor girl moves in next door who he shortly becomes friends with.  Through their “magical” adventures, he begins to gain more confidence and starts to come out of his shell.  (Boy can I relate to this story.)  They really trumped up the magical adventures part in all the trailers.  I was expecting some wild fantasy movie (I like those you know), but it was more about how their friendship helped them deal with the trials and tribulations of their adolescence.