[HPFGU-Movie] Bridge to Terabithia review

[Valerie Flowe]

I saw this movie on Friday with my girls. It was very well reviewed, 
however I agree with the reviewer who said that Disney (probably 
intentionally) misrepresented it in their marketing campaign. It was 
described as a 'watered-down' Harry Potter or Lion, Witch & Wardrobe. 
But was so much more (probably in the parents' eyes) and so much less 
(in the kids' eyes). The fantasy land CG creatures were very secondary 
and minimal to the plot. It was really all about human relationships 
(between friends, family). Then there was a total tear-jerker ending 
that stunned me and probably others who also had not read the book. 
Most of the kids leaving the theatre looked as though they were 
disappointed in the film. My nine year old said "That was definitely 
NOT my favorite movie". Though she almost cried at the sad scene and 
it's hard to get a reaction out of HER! It rather bugs me that Disney 
misrepresented this film obviously for $$$. They are still trying to 
hype it up to the kids with games about the mythical creatures, etc. A 
sad commentary on our society. Why can't they just market this film to 
t'weens and up, as the beautifully-crafted film about human emotions, 
that it is? Guess that doesn't sell! :-(
Reminds me of when the Potter films come out and they try to market it 
to young kids on up. When the books are obviously getting darker and 
more teen-and-up oriented. I'm guessing the next 3 films will also be 
PG-13.
Val