Bridge to Terabithia, 2007 movie

I was interested in this movie from the fantasy angle. Unfortunately, there was not much fantasy involved; kicked in at the end, but little else besides. Overall, I thought it was a good movie, but nothing to write home about (funny how we write everything in blogs, though, right).

The children actors did a great job. The scene were the main character gets really upset at his little sister comes across a bit canned, unbelievable. Other than that, I think his interactions with his father were excellent, portraying a very clear passion for his father's love and attention, yet almost spurned, withering under the expectations of being the eldest. The girl playing opposite him was interesting; I think there was a combination of over-acting or over-confidence on her part, but also the director and script writer making her character a little too big, too good, too smart. Hence, I had a hard time believing her. Also, the bully was a mixed-case as well. I think she did a good job, but her part was a bit too extreme, swinging from being overly bad (in a very unrealistic way, IMHO) to overly emotional. However, her character was useful to help show how the fantasy realm tied in and made it more relevant.

I liked how the story portrayed an imaginative place where fears, doubts, hopes and dreams could be dealt with in a constructive and more physical format. This is something we all do in one form or another. I was hoping the movie would dive into that place a little more forcefully, especially earlier, but alas.