Bridge to Terabithia

Walt Disney and Walden Media (partners on "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe") team up again for the screen adaptation of Katherine Paterson's kid-lit classic about the power of imagination and friendship. Josh Hutcherson plays Jesse, a loner who escapes the bullying at school and the neglect at home through his imaginative drawings. AnnaSophia Robb is the sunny Leslie, Jesse's new neighbor who helps Jesse turn his two-dimensional drawings into their own private fantasy world of Terabithia, where they reign over giants, ogres and other fantasy creatures spawned from their real-life torments. Animator Gabor Csupo makes his live-action directorial debut with the tale of fantasy grounded in a very real and sometimes hard world. Parents be warned that this family film deals with the death of a character. MSN's Cinemama, Martha Brockenbrough, writes: "It's a deep and beautiful story, full of wisdom. And despite the fantastical touches, it's got its feet firmly in the mud of reality." Robert Patrick stars as Jesse's frustrated father, so worried about supporting the overextended family that he has little time for his son's dreams. Zooey Deschanel is a sensitive music teacher who encourages Jesse's art. Available in separate widescreen and full-screen editions and in Blu-ray format.

Director Gabor Csupo joins screenwriter Jeff Stockwell and producer Hal Lieberman on a commentary track focused on the production and creation of the film. Stars Hutcherson and Robb are joined by producer Lauren Levine on a lively and often insightful second track where they discuss their experiences on the set and their take on the film. The 15-minute featurette "Behind the Book: The Themes of Bridge to Terabithia" discusses the original story with the stars of the film, teachers and librarians and author Katherine Paterson. "Digital Imagination: Bringing Terabithia to Life" is a five-minute survey of the design of the film's imaginary world. Also features a music video for "Keep Your Mind Wide Open" by Robb.

Also: Cinemama reviews "Bridge to Terabithia"