[Spoiler Edited by Comments Editor]

The fantasy element of this movie is played up in the trailers and is barely in the film. All the kids with the exception of the two protagonists and one or two other kids are stereotypical nasty kids.

The parents of the young male protagonist are unlikeable in every way.

With the exception of Leslie, her male counterpart Jesse and Jesse's young sister the kids are all terrible people.

Forget about this dog of a film.

sal m- Thanks for spoiling it for people who have never read the book or seen the movie.

She didn't spoil it. I wish I had known before I took my son who is 6 to see it. A PG rating is wrong for this movie. DEAD wrong. My son was in tears and it really affected him for hours after the movie. If you ask him if he liked it he has a quick NO.

A PG rating for the movie is actually probably quite appropriate. PG does not mean "appropriate for all children," it means "parental guidance suggested." The MPAA even states about a PG rating that "some material may not be suitable for all children." Their website goes on from that, saying: "The label PG plainly states parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, but leaves the parent to make the decision. Parents are warned against sending their children, unseen and without inquiry, to PG-rated movies."

You should absolutely be able to make the inquiry and find the information posted (and you most certainly can). It is not appropriate for random commenters on a piece to pass along the most dramatic, surprise, moments in the film unbidden and without noting that the information they are about to impart is in fact a "spoiler."

this is probaly one of the best movies I've seen in years. Finnaly a show that doesn't make all kids look like snot nosed 4 year olds, most of the actors wern't so great but Ann Sophia was spactacular and made the movie belivable. She defintly took the movie from being a little disney fantasy to a truely buetifly done film. Please don't get mad if your children creid beacause as the PG sign says, parental guidedence suggested.

This movie was an outstanding mixture of beauty, discovery, friendship & personal growth. While it was marketed rather heavily on the fantastic computer generated world of Terabithia, that aspect of the film wasn't exhibited as strongly as you would have believed it to be in the trailers. It was the draw however to bring you into the understanding that there can be magic in the world, if you are willing to look beyond what you can see in the physical world.

When you see the circumstances of the boy & his family it mirrors the "human condition" of limitations and of the "smaller picture" we have of life. The girl's character on the other hand was a breath of fresh air, fresh perspectives on life and of a person who could somehow "see" beyond this world into one of myth & imagination. She brought this view into the mind & the heart of her friend during the short time they knew each other. While the tragedy in the film brought with it deep pain and despair, somehow it also opened other doors within a family that had never truely seen into the heart & soul of their son. And he in turn was able to take his pain and open his younger sister's eyes to the world he had found.

While this film may not be appropriate for very young children, it is certainly an excellant film and I would recommend it to those who are 10 to 100!

The MPAA rating for this movie states: "Rated PG: for thematic elements including bullying, some peril and mild language." I completely agree with Sherri's comments above. "Some" peril does not at all convey anything about issues of a tragic death occurring. I visited Disney's official website concerning this movie prior to attending it with my ten-year old nephew and I feel it was completely misrepresented on a whole slew of fronts, including the fact that Disney advertised it as the "#1 Family Movie of the Year" and billed it as a "fantasy/adventure" which it is anything but. "Family movie" implies that it is for everyone of a family, regardless of age. And in a fantasy tale even if someone dies at least children can set it in their minds that it is still all just fantasy. But the reality of this movie is that it is all too real-to-life.

I consider this whole thing to be a total blindsiding of the public. It seems to me that for the most part those people who had read the book were the only ones who were truly mentally and emotionally prepared for the circumstances of the movie. But, not everyone should be expected to have to read the book that's the inspiration for any movie in order to keep from being blindsided by it's advertising. The fact is this thing is having a traumatizing effect on young children and I think that for anyone to pass that off as the fault of any parent when it was billed and advertised as being something that it's not and when the rating actually doesn't give anything at all about the really sensitive nature of this film is a pretty callous position to take. I personally feel the responsibility of all of this really does lie with Disney particularly since they have the reputation as making family-oriented films and did blatantly misleadingly advertise it. And in that they have now lost the trust of many.

If Disney really felt that this film could stand on its own merits than why misrepresent it? The only answer to that is Profit Gain. They've seen the success of those movies that were truly fantasy tales and thus used the public's, particularly children's, interest in fantasy to bait them. And I find that unconscionable. In at least the retail merchandising industry such "bait and switch" tactics are in fact illegal.

The ones that my heart most particularly goes out to is not just the children's, but most especially those parents who have tragically lost a child. And certainly there will be those out there with such circumstances who will view this movie due to it's misrepresentation who would otherwise not have. Their tragedy will only come rushing back to them upon viewing this movie.
I really feel we should all be concerned about the scenario brought about here whether we liked the movie or not. Because the way that Disney advertised this, how it played on people's expectations, and what it so traumatically blindsidingly delivered makes it all seem as if Disney imparted some kind of rather cruel sadistic joke on the public, particularly to the kids.

this is the best movie ever it is like very good parts then a sad part then a very good calm part this movie is perfect for me and i am feeling that alot of other people will love it to ...

this was a very good movie... affected a lot of my kids in a good way. :)

You know, I really don't think it matters whether you go into the movie having been "prepared" by reading the book or not; I read the book 10 years ago and still cried during the movie.

Actually, I found it more tragic because I knew what was going to happen; it was also really eerie how the camera kept focusing on their shoes skimming the water.

i think the movie is great but i cant believe leslie die

i loved the book and after we went to see the movie for a class field trip i thought it was amazzing all the actors did a fantastic job but i still cant get over it that leslie dies and after the movie was over almost everybody was crying (me included)

I loved the movie, everyone says that the PG was wrong; but everyone is also right about the PG rating. I am a kid, im 13; and i loved the movie to a extremly surprising amount. Yes it made me cry, and it does send a great message across to people. Im sorry that it looks like younger kids didn't like it, but what more could you expect. I read the book in 5th grade as a class, and i was exctatic when i heard it was going to be a movie. i also agree when people say that the previews made it look up to be a "chronicles of Narnia" type. I LOVED THIS MOVIE; and I am a kid, im sorry for those who dissapointed. The only reason i came to this website was to see the review; it was an assignment for class to bring a movie review; but when i saw the comments. i felt protective of the this movie- because of me liking it so much.

Libby,

Thanks so much for your kind words and opinions. I hope you do well on the assignment.

This movie is totally worth watching! This movie pulls off the balance of imagination and real life in the storyline very, very well. After seeing this movie, I have five words to say: Disney, you've done it again. This movie is just plain GREAT!

The trailer WAS very misleading (as was previously mentioned), but what can I say? Trailers don't say EVERYTHING about what a movie is. It was thirty seconds of a 95-minute movie, if even thirty seconds! A half-minute is NOT equal to 95! Really, you can't judge a book by its cover...or in this case, a movie by its trailer.

For the rating, "PG" IS APPROPRIATE! It states clearly: "Some material may not be suitable for young children"!!! It's inadvisable for your children to watch it without your opinion if you didn't watch it beforehand. If you didn't take any time AT ALL to at least do your homework to see what the movie is like before having your kids watch it because you were too lazy, then I'm sorry: it sucks to be you if you and/or your kids suffer for it. Pure and simple.

Anyway, faithfulness to the book? Absolutely! The movie was very good at interpreting the book's story elements. Unlike the Eragon movie (curse you, Twentieth Century Fox!!!!!!), this movie gives you accurate reinterpretations of what happened in the book. It's not in perfect harmony with the book, though; but if anything, that's a good thing! If there weren't any differences at all to the book, it would just be a rip off of what was already described, and if you read the book, you already know what it's like. Having differences in the movie makes it more interesting. Personally, I greatly relished the fact that the movie's events took place around 2007, being someone not born around 1977. On the other hand, Twentieth Century Fox went overboard with it for Eragon and just KILLED it. We have to give Disney brownie points for story faithfulness.

Now, like many of the die-hard gamers out there (I hope), I will be eagerly waiting for Square Enix to recreate Terabithia for a world in a future Kingdom Hearts game! It's quite ideal for a Kingdom Hearts world if you ask me. ;)

WOW!! That's the only word I can find to describe this film. Similar in respects to "Million Dollar Baby", you go into it with pre-conceived notions based on the trailers and marketing hype, and then WHAMMO!!.... you're hit with an incredible emotional story that takes you on a wonderful journey. This is one of the VERY few family movies out recently that has a redeeming, valuable message to share. It is not Narnia, or Lord of the Rings, or (heaven forbid) - Harry Potter..... it is leaps and bounds above those. This is real drama and emotional engagement... not mere escapism through massive computer-generated fantasy. It is simply storytelling at its finest. Hats off to Disney for showing us all what a great film is like once again. This is a "must-see" movie, for sure.

i watched this at the cinema and i wasted my money

I think C.S Lewis should make a sequel of bridge to terabithia and perhapes he could make the adventure about a new kid who goes with Jesse to see if Leslie is in the canal terabithia. Because since they never found the body Leslie could still be in the canal or maybe she could have made it out and stays in terabithia looking for Jesse and instead of imagination everything comes to life.

Just a word of advice: I NEVER allow my children to see any new movies out that I am not personally familiar with until I check out the reviews at: Screen It Kids In Mind Movie Guide

Given all the phony ways movies are marketed and advertised these days, you can't afford to ASSUME anything about new movies without knowing what's in them beforehand.

jess Aarons is so freakin hot and i really don't care about leslie. i love that sexy baby :)

My friend Victoria thinks jess Aarons looks like her friend Alex.And he is so hot and it is a good movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Robert,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, But C.S. Lewis died November 22, 1963.

He won't be writing any sequels anytime soon.

Sorry,

IJB

im pretty sure there will be a sequel because there were too many unanswred question after the movie was over such as what else did may belle want to be ther besides her jess and the rest of the terabithians did she also want leslie there to even though she was dead she came back magic and had to stay there in the forest my dad bought this movie last thursday for me and its real good do you think there will be a sequel im not sure but i have this feeling there will be

mr. csupo after you get done with moon princess will you make a sequel for bridge to terabithia i have a feeling you will because there were to many unanswered questions in this movie

mr. csupo i have a great idea for the sequel to bridge to terabithia that is after youer done with moon princess here it is jess is out of school for the summer and he is having a rough time first losing leslie then hearing her parents were killed in a car wreck and his mom has been diagnosed with breast cancer also his dad says they might have to sell the farm which tears jess apart so he goes to terabithia where he finds his sister and queen of terabithia may belle she tells him she has a surprise and he finds out its leslie but she tells him she is there because may belle wanted her there with with her jess and the other terebithians and she tells him to be careful because the dark master will be looking for revenge so what do you think like i said this is for after your done with moon princess let me know what you think either monday or tuesday

mr. csupo when will youi make bridge tyon terabithia 2 i have it figued at 2009 im looking forward to white giraffe and moon princess oh by the way i have an idea for the starting jess is out of school for the summer his mom has been diagnosed with breast cancer his oldest sisters have gone to college and his father says they may have to move so on his 15th birhday he wishes leslie was with him and may belle in terebithia the next day when he goes to terebithia leslie is there and she tells him she will live in terebithia with the other terebithians as long as jess never forgets her what do you think

when will the sequel come ii figure 2009 0r 2010

I love this movie. In fact I have to say its the best movie i seen and is my favorite movie yet. I am 13 years old, I've read the book and they are both great. I can't believe Leslie died and it really affected how I think about things and how strong a friendship can be. I know if one of my friends died I would build a monument wherever they died so everyone would remember him or her. I've got to say that Leslie is my favorite character in the movie. I hope they make a Bridge to Terabithia 2 but unless Katherine Paterson writes another novel about it, I doubt it happens.

bridge to terabithia is a great movie except for when leslie dies at the end she was such a wonderful character

Okay, so my dad, sister and I watch the movie today... no one in my family read the book...
So we're watching as a good plot line picks up... then BAM both my dad and i are going "What the bloody hell!?!" when the credits start rolling because we are both expecting that Leslie would at least show up as part of his imagination in Terabithia... but nope... so yeah... unless there is any way for a sequel (which the ending left it wide open for), this movie pretty much sucked at the end... All that buildup of plot just to fall into a river and die...(no puns intended... yes there were who am i kidding?)

I thought this movie was for kids, but I figured that I would try it out anyway. to my suprise, the movie was awesome. you get really attached to the little girl in this movie. she has a cool attitude and she seems like a loyal friend. I wanted to break something when she died. I thought this would be a happy litte movie, but there always has to be a sad part in a movie. I feel like killing the producer of this movie. I read about why leslie died and everything but I still think there was no purpose in her dying. the oly thing that kept me from continuing the movie was the fact I thought leslie would come back in terabithia [since it is imaginary] but she doesn't. .... never mind, I got nothing else to say.

sorry for some of the misspellings. HA, it Never bothers me when somebody dies in a movie.... this was a different case. I shed the first tear I have ever shed in my life.... I never cry.... but when leslie died I guess there's always a first time for everything.

I havent seen the movie but ive read the book. I hate the part when she dies its so sad

Great. I think that people underestimated the movie, myself included. Normally when people go to a movie they already have a sence of what is going to happen and what type of emotions they will have towrd the end. This movie blindsided everyone, sorry for all those parents who brought their younger children, that probably was one of the most traumatic evens most of them have ever experienced.

I read the novel about 10 or more years ago and found it extremly agrivating. I was younger,about 7, and I hated the fact that the author had chosen to kill one of the characters for no apparent reason. I had felt that her death was unnecisary. About 2 years later I had the opportunity of meeting the author at a book fair in DC. Up to that time I had still upheld my severe dislike for her, so I was very determined to find out why she had done something which she must have known prior to publishing the book would be so detremental to so many people. Her answere was simple and practical, death is a common part of life that children should learn to face. Peronaly, I was satisfied with this answere mostly because I was only disapointed with the death of the girl and thought of her as more of a character in a book rather than veiwing her as a real person and becoming emotionaly attached. Because I had been able to cope with the books outcome I assumed I would be able to do the same with the movie, especialy because of my prior experience. I was wrong!
I watched the movie, and was only able to make it about 15 minutes past the death of the girl before I couldnt restrain myself from crying. I think this was because with the movie you have a perfect visual of all characters and their emotions which arnt described as vividly in the book. You have to also add in the fact that the director is trying to make it as emotional for the veiwer as posible so you dont leave the movie saying it was crap, so other effects are added in, such as sad music, to emphasise the drama. I agree that the final reaction of the audience was unexpected and could have caused many problems, but everyoine has to understand that their would have been no way to prevent it from happening without spoiling the story. And for all parents, your children would have had to learn about death some time or other, and wouldnt you rather their first time dealing with it be a character from a movie rather than a family member, friend, or pet?

Yes, I like the movie alot. I watched the whole thing the first time we bought it. It was a good movie. - Maddyson

I have read all of the previous comments here and have decided this- If your kid saw it and cried and you got upset who cares. It's your fault for not taking precautions, second I feel death is something that we all have no real control as to when we would privy our kids to it. Isn't it better to think this as an ice breaker to explain a natural part of life to them. You neglect disappoints me. This is one of the most beutifully orchestrated films on the market that actually has true life harnessed in it. Remember when you were young and how free you world was.
For me this movie made me realize how much the(adult condition) has truly consumed our essense of life and imagination. We only get one chance to live and no redos and then it's over. Don't be the one that god looks down on when you reach heaven and asks you why you didn't use this wonderful gift of life to enjoy all that encompasses it. I don't know about you but I am personnally ashamed of all that I let go of from my childhood, I didn't realize how much of my soul it was. Maybe you should analyze this movie one more time then ask yourself, what right did I have to knock this movie when it was a gift for you to remember, yourself.
Be ashamed of your ignorence

i agree with crizo but all i want to know is will there be a sequel csupo paterson anybody

What the heck do you mean to the people who said it was a bad movie. My world cultures teacher let us watch it yesterdsy and it was GREAT!! The acting was good, hey it was sad but it just added emotion. Actullay BTT was inspiered by a real life tragedy. I wish there was a BTT. Overall i give it a 12 out of 10 LOL.

Dude, a sequel would be awesome, and Leslie should
some how either not be dead, or come back from the
dead. Or just be in a coma, or something weird.

MOVIE

Very disappointing ending is all I have to say. It was just starting to get good, and then it ends? Whats up with that? Disney better get on the ball and make a sequel. I think PG13 would have been a better rating, just to prepare parents more.

i think in the sequal jess stops going to terabitha and the he sees a vision of leslie warning jess that the forest is going to get demolished and that she needs terabitha to exist so she can try and come back because she only got captured by the dark lord and jess has to save her