Since Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films, fantasy has become (predictably) a disappointing genre at the movies.
It’s becoming all too familiar… a director borrows Jackson’s techniques for dazzling audiences, but demonstrates ignorance when it comes to good scripts and character development. Or the filmmakers get so excited about editing their film for maximum excitement that they make mincemeat of their actors’ performances. Pan’s Labyrinth is the most impressive exception, but for the most part, Peter Jackson’s achievements look better and better all the time.
That’s why I’m delighted to discover (rather late, I’m afraid) that Walden Media’s Bridge to Terabithia is one of the better post-Jackson fantasy efforts, and it’s an unexpected delight from a studio that has been consistently disappointing.
The special effects are wonderfully whimsical. And the cast is well-chosen. But the film’s real strength is the story by Katherine Paterson. My compliments to the filmmakers who took the story seriously. The film took me into much deeper waters than I’d anticipated.
I’m inclined to recommend the book, which I’m sure is more rewarding than the film, but for an evening’s entertainment, the DVD is a pleasure. Anne suggested it for last week’s date night, and I thanked her for the idea.
Annasophia Robb is a little too decorated, and a little too charming.¬†But I’d much rather see her become a big star for Terabithia than that unbearable disaster called The Reaping. As the central character, Jesse, Josh Hutcherson dutifully applies himself to some sentimental, touchy-feely scenes, but he’s¬†especially effective in scenes of¬†confrontation with¬†Robert¬†Patrick, who plays Jesse’s temperamental father. The rest of the cast is uniformly impressive, and with the exception of some intrusive, disposable pop songs, there’s none of the pandering that I’ve come to expect from “family films.” I was genuinely moved by the conclusion.
All of this leads me to take interest in the positive buzz going around for The Spiderwick Chronicles. Here’s Brandon Fibbs’ review at CT Movies. And, for a second opinion, here’s Greg Wright, who’s less enthusiastic.
Thanks to Terabithia, I just might have to give this one a chance.
I highly recommend picking up a copy of Bridge to Terabithia. Technically it’s an easy ready…emotionally it’s something else entirely. I’ve never been that affected by reading a novel before.
I was pleasantly surprised by Teribithia as well, but I just can’t muster up any sort of excitement for Spiderwick.
Saw it on Friday . . . very different sort of movie from Terabithia, but enjoyable for what it was. I haven’t read The Spiderwick Chronicles, but my wife is a big fan of the books, particularly the artwork, and has some of the Field Guides and so forth with extra drawings of the gorgeously-imagined fauna of DiTerlizzi’s world. My impression of the movie was that it sacrificed some of the visual richness and variety of that world in favor of a more streamlined plot and some extra action. Still, overall, a fairly decent family film. I doubt you’d like it as much as Bridge to Terabithia, but that’s just a guess.
Of course, the book version of Bridge to Terabithia was not a “fantasy” at all, but a story about children who fantastize. There’s a big difference!
So it’s interesting to hear you say you were moved by the conclusion of the movie. I might have been, too, but those CGI effects got in the way. The rickety wooden bridge was all the magic I needed — in both the book and the film.
That said, compared to most of Walden’s other movies, it is definitely striking how non-disappointing their adaptation of Terabithia is. At times it is, indeed, quite good.
As for Spiderwick, the wife and I both liked it quite a bit. (She has read the books, I haven’t.) I’d certainly be interested to hear what you think of it, if you see it.
To me Terabithia was a delightful surprise. More moving, and thoughtful, yet whimsical than I would have expected. For me it was more enjoyable than Narnia, although I appreciate the themes in Lewis’ novel more.
It’s interesting to note that Terabithia is Gabor Csupo’s first live action movie. Like Andrew Adamson he has an animation background, as he was the creator of the Rugrats T.V. show.
As far as animated T.V. shows go I thought that the Rugrats rose above the pack. It will be interesting to see what this director does in the future.
“Of course, the book version of Bridge to Terabithia was not a ‚Äúfantasy‚Äù at all, but a story about children who fantastize. There‚Äôs a big difference!”
The BBC version of Bridge to Terabithia (With Annette O’Toole) is closer to the novel in that sense, but it ends up being kind of bland overall.