Thursday, July 22, 2010
A movie I should have previewed.
I rented this disc of sorrow from Netflix.I never read the book.
If I had read the book I would never have let my then 9, 7 and 5 year olds watch this movie.
It couldn't possibly be sadder.
Bridge to Terabithia is the story of fifth grader Jess Aarons, who becomes friends with his new neighbor Leslie Burke after he loses a race to her at school. She is cute and smart and Jess is quite smitten with her.
Jess is a little quiet and unsure of himself and very artistic. In the beginning of the movie he is fearful, angry, and depressed. After hanging out with Leslie, Jess is more sure of himself.
With his love of drawing and with Leslie's love of stories they create Terabithia. A magical place with great special effects and marvelous characters. The story was compelling. The characters endearing.
This all was great. My kids were engaged in the film. But things headed downhill when Jess when to an art show with his teacher and Leslie decided to go to Terabithia alone........AND DROWNED!!
WTF? This is a kids movie? I don't like movies with kids dying in them.
Everyone cried, even daddy, like were were Leslie's friends and we would forever miss her.
What I learned....if it's live action and not a cartoon, it's best to watch it first.
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About Me
- kisatrtle
- I'm a 41 year old (gasp) freelance writer, school cafeteria manager, wife and mother. I have three children and one anxious and overweight beagle. I use my blog to make others laugh, to share some cool crafts, to document my lunchlady adventures and to lament about the challenges faced by us all on the journey called life. Thanks for visiting. Please leave some crack...um...I meant some comments.
11 random thoughts:
gosh.....I would have cried too (I may or may not have just reading your post, I'll never tell) :)
Totally awful, right? I had thankfully read it years ago, so I knew. Come on over to my post on the same subject -- hopefully you'll laugh. :)
What a stupid ending for a children's movie. Oh well, at least you learned to preview them first, right?
visiting from Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop--you aren't last anymore! I am. I forgot all about linking up this morning, duh!
This was one of my favorite books growing up ... so I could have warned you that it was a difficult one. The book itself is fantastic but definitely will bring the tears and would require lots of discussion.
When I saw the previews for it, I thought it was being marketing all wrong ... it looked like a fantasy movie instead of what it is really about.
Oh my, and I was just looking at getting that one for the kids!! Thanks for the heads up. Based on what you've written I would suggest staying away from the movie Freak the Mighty, it's a great flick but a real tear jerker.
why do they kill people in kids movies? I never understand that.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I have seen that movie and thought of renting it for my brood, but I think I will pass. Thanks for the heads up!
I always thought this book was incredibly sad, reminds me of Peter Pan except he doesn't come back in Terabithia. I hate sad endings not only in movies and grown ups for books, but somehow I get even sadder when they're for children. Great post, btw! Look forward to seeing more of your Mama Kat's writing workshop :)
I totally agree with you. I had my trio read the book (because I had three copies) and after I couldn't understand why they didn't want to rent the movie. All 3 hated the sadness.
I think I need to preview books AND movies.
Jo
www.teensandtriplets.com
i love the book (and my 9 year old read it last year) but i can't bring myself to watch it because i love the story so much!
Good advice for me too. I think I'll pass on this one.