Bridge to Terabithia
Josh Hutcherson, Anna Sophia Robb
4/5 stars

AT first glance this looks like just another kids’ movie with some cool animations.

And in many ways it is, but what sets it apart is how its initially childish storyline also tackles some much bigger issues than may first be apparent.

The story is about two social outcasts. Jesse (Hutcherson) comes from a poor family and is forced to wear hand-me-downs from his older sisters, while Leslie (Robb) comes from an artistic family that doesn’t own a television – a fact that sets her apart from her peers.

Drawn together, the two find friendship and escape from the real world through their imaginations, which manifest into an imaginary world, Terabithia.

Getting there is just a rope swing across a small creek and into a world of hairy eagles, armies of dragonflies and huge trolls.

The journey for Jesse and Leslie leads to learning more than just social interactions and teaches one of life’s harshest lessons. I won’t spoil the end for you, as it came as something of a shock for me – but be warned, it’s not a happy ending.