Bridge to Terabithia

What’s the Story?

Based on Katherine Paterson's Newbery Medal-winning 1977 book, this touching adaptation is the ultimate story of boy-girl friendship. Forget the zeitgeist of iPod-carrying, text-messaging, gadget-obsessed tweens, and meet two 10-year-olds who prefer to use their imaginations. Despite their different upbringings, Jess Aarons (Josh Hutcherson) -- a poor mechanic/small-time farmer's son -- and his neighbor Leslie Burke (a glowing AnnaSophia Robb) -- the only daughter of intellectual back-to-the-landers -- form a fast friendship. When Leslie decides that they need a special place to call their own, the two construct a magical land in the woods behind their houses, a secret kingdom dubbed "Terabithia" that's populated by wonders only they can see. And though Jess and Leslie's friendship continues to grow, as in the book, it doesn't devolve into pre-adolescent dating. It's as true a friendship as fiction offers. When tragedy strikes, quickly and unexpectedly, the fragility of Terabithia is exposed. Yet somehow, the magic continues.

Is It Any Good?

Like Narnia, only the initiated can see Terabithia's wonder, and the two young leads ably lead the audience into their secret kingdom, which is full of buzzing fairies and flying, rodent-like evildoers. As their imaginary world develops, each contributes their talents to the task: Leslie builds, and Jess draws.

Outside of Terabithia, the best friends share glimpses into the other's life: Leslie goes to church for the first time, and Jess hangs out with her laid-back parents. At school they delight in the weekly visit of breezy music teacher Ms. Edmonds (Zooey Deschanel, looking exactly like the beautiful teacher every student loves). BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA is not only one of the best family films of 2007, it's one of the finest film adaptations of children's literature.