Le Secret de Terabithia

The theme is essential and the basic idea that friendship and human imagination can overcome many problems and beautify the surrounding world is undoubtedly truthful and deeply human. However, I have a problem with the execution, which seems template-like, emotionally calculated (especially the ending), and directorially conventional. I was also not satisfied with the cast, especially the children - not that the children acted outrightly badly, but their performers lacked charisma. Last but not least, I also disliked the level of special effects, although that is something I usually do not pay attention to. Overall impression: 50%. (31/01/2009)

The fewer the effects and fantastic quests, the more soul and magic. The intro may give the impression of a fantasy ignitor for extinct emos, but the excellent soundtrack and very good child actors give the film the joyful magic of free fantasizing. A unique mix of children's coloring books, Peter Pan and a love story for teenagers takes on a new dimension after a twist, which surprisingly revealed to me how much I was able to empathize with the film's cuteness. Very pleasant and peacefully acquired emotions, Gábor Csupó can do almost exactly what Marc Forster did with his Finding Neverland… and like him, he does not have excessive visuality, but the work with the characters is excellent, and I admit that I shed a tear. A film for everyone who likes to return to childhood and sometimes lives in dreams. (13/05/2008)

The whole picture begins shamefully with a premature climax. With those fantastic opening credits. However, after them a movie follows that finally deserves to be described as a fantasy, because it manages to shatter any fantasy you may have. My joy knew no bounds. But it was killed by the same thing that kills all similar movies. CGI scenes for no reason at all and the movie’s greatest boon that I mentioned above. Where before your fantasy was working full on, then the creators use a computer instead. And the whole atmosphere is spoiled. Unfortunately, afterward it’s impossible to return to what once was. There are moments when it almost looks like things will return, but it never makes the return fully. Plus, despite the excellent orchestral music, many scenes have pop songs as background music with hellish texts (a perfect example is when they are painting the room - the music ruins the whole scene). I wouldn’t like to give you the impression that Terabithia is a bad movie. It isn’t. In fact, of the current glut of kids’ movies from across the ocean, this is the clear king. But it’s very clear just how much better it could be. I could kick the filmmakers in the butt for wasting this amazing potential. They might learn from it for next time. (28/06/2008)

First of all, this isn't a fantasy film like Narnia, Lord of the Rings, etc., nor does it try to be, but that's okay. It’s definitely a very enjoyable film for young and old "boys and girls with their heads in the clouds", which shows that the best fantasy is not created by Tolkien, Lewis and others, but by children's wide open minds (and hopefully not only that). So don't expect a host of goblins, elves and fairies (although there are some creatures), but rather an intimately told story with two impeccable child actors. The unexpected plot twist then makes it clear that real life is far from Terabithia, but even a great pain on the soul can not destroy a journey to a magical land of fantasy. For such a well-deserved but unexpected success with overseas audiences, I wish Gabor Csup, as a debutant in feature films, the best and I look forward to his next film. (25/06/2007)

I have a huge weakness for films that celebrate the human imagination, a capacity I never want to lose. And Bridge to Terabithia is an ode to the imagination. It truthfully shows how powerful it can be, and why one should never stop dreaming, and demonstrates this through a sympathetic, funny and moving story. However, I don't give the film full stars for two reasons: The first is the digital effects, which, although decent (Weta is Weta), are completely unnecessary. Not only is their use not very logical (two people imagine the same non-existent things in exactly the same way?), but they also "rob" the viewer of his imagination, which he doesn't have to engage because of all the digi-creatures being served up. The second reason is the ending, a really beautiful climax to the story, but one in which I was missing an important thing - for the two of them to meet again, or at least see each other from afar. It would be possible in Terabithia. (09/04/2012)