A Bridge Too Far
Bridge to Teribithia - Rated PG - 1 Hour and 35 minutes
My rating: *** Stars (Worthy of watching at the Matinee showing).
Well, we took my 5 year old daughter to this movie this weekend. Let's just say, I went expecting a film with the same style and effects like Chronicles of Narnia. Needless to say, it wasn't.
Even though the special effects were by the same people who did The Chronicles of Narnia, the Bridge to Teribithia was more meat for the mind and less dessert. Meaning, there was more story and less special effects.
Typically, when we go to the movies with my daughter, I tend to fall asleep. I'm not a big kid's movie watcher. However, I stayed awake throughout this entire movie.
The movie revolves around Jess, the son of a poor family who is treated as an outclass in middle school. Jesse has one thing going for him at school. He's the fastest runner in school. Jesse also likes to do art, and is pretty darn good at it.
Not only is Jess an outcast at school, but he also feels somewhat unloved at home. The typical "Father doesn't show any affection to son" storyline is followed in this regard.
Then, one day, a new student arrives. Her name is Leslie. Leslie decides to race with the boys and flat out beats all of them.
At first, Jess is cold to Leslie, but she doesn't stop trying to be his friend and they strike up a strong friendship.
To escape from harsh reality of life, Jess and Leslie cross a river into the woods (they are neighbors), where they use their imaginations to create the world of Teribithia. There are bullies in this world as well, but in Teribithia, Jess and Leslie learn to stand up to those that bully them.
I won't go much farther then this, as anything else I may say, may spoil the movie for you if you don't know the story. Needless to say, I read a synopsis of the story before going to the movie (to make sure it was safe for my daughter) and I knew the story, but even I was taken by surprise at what happens.
Hint? Let's just say that there were grown men in that theater that were crying.
Anyways, I feel the movie was safe enough for my 5 year old daughter. Although there were some scary type creatures and innuendo of scary things to happen, there was very little violence (Jesse punches a boy) and no swearing that I am aware of.
I wouldn't pay full price to see the movie, but I do not regret paying to see it at the Matinee showing.
Gotta Love the Tolerance
Irony
OUCH!
