The more I learn about this film, the more intrigued I become. My kids are 6, 4, and 2. The six year old likes nothing more than to sit in her activity area and write books (which are, of course, illustrated). I think she would enjoy a film about a boy and girl creating an imaginary world of adventure.

But as a practical matter, I am wondering if she is too young, and if her siblings would be too young to tag along. They love the Chronicles of Narnia movie, and as a parent I approve of it (though that's about as far as I would push it -- what with all the stabbing, slashing, and rock-freezing).

I also wonder about the world-view and "spiritual" content of the movie. I'm a Christian, and I don't want to expose the wee ones to something that runs counter to that. I have heard and read of some controversy from the book, but I can't find anything but fluff. The author is the daughter of missionaries and the wife of a Presbyterian minister, so it makes me ask how hostile to a God-centered worldview it can be?

Any scoop, intel, or other thoughts about the movie -- please post here.

From what I read here there is little to worry about...

It is an absolute corruption of the book, sharing nothing but the title.

But is it a good movie?

(Both my son and I are curious to see it.)

According to here, the ad campaign is misleading and it's truer than you might think. I had never heard of this book, and the previews made me want to see the film. Knowing what it's actually about has made me less interested than if it were what it appeared to be.

Based on the trailer I saw and the back cover summary I read from my wife's copy of the book... I can't quite see how they are the same movie.

That said, she loved the book when she read it as a kid. So if the movie is faithful it sounds like it might play well with the younger crowd.

I would be very surprised if it was anything like the novel, because that would be a very low key affair once translated onto the screen. Have they upped the fantasy element?

Edit:Just watched the trailer - wow, Eric is right. Looks like it might be fun, but 'based on the novel' is a big bleedin' stretch...

I said my kids were ages 6, 4, and 2. I think it's a close call no matter what I decide, one that many parents might disagree with.

And the reviews that are starting to trickle in are great. Makes me think it's true to the book (which I have not read).

Eric Kleefeld (and others who may remember the book) -- if the movie were true to the book, can you comment on the violence? There's some sort of death issue that comes up -- is this a My Girl situation where one of the two main kids gets whacked, or is it the death of a loved one they are dealing with?

Did you detect any "secular humanism, New Age spirituality, or satanism" in it? I found that on the Wikipedia link Edward pointed to, but it turns out that was two ladies in Connecticut trying to have it pulled from the school. Can't really go by that -- there's some sincere folks out there that view "magical" stuff in a work of literature (if not expressly stated to flow from Jehovah) to be an implicit reference to witchcraft or the devil.

I guess that'd rule out...well, a heck of a lot of comics, that's for sure. Certainly lots of TV and Movies (Buffy, Charmed...even Smallville, if you look at it from that perspective). I think if you're taking it that far, you should be Amish. There's no escaping stuff like Harry Potter, or even Supes, if you have kids.

edited to add - Not you personally, Jay. Just 'you' as in people who worry about that stuff.

The people I was describing would rule those things out. That was my point.

And my kids are too young (ages 6, 4, and 2) to watch Buffy, so you can see why I would be curious to learn more.

Ahh...a point I missed!

I meant no offence, Jay. Apologies if I caused any.

Spoiler

That is correct.

If it's true that the advertising campaign is the opposite of the actual movie, then this is a real-life version of that "Shining" Internet video.

Some helpful info posted. Thanks, guys. I'll probably do what I did for Narnia and Shark Boy and Lava Girl, which is to wait until I have the opportunity to preview it myself without the kids.

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If they are going to be portraying Terabithia as a real magical place rather than something that the two characters create with their imagination, then the point of the original book is lost. You might want to go see Pan's Labyrinth unless you don't like subtitles. I'm not sure if it is appropriate for young children, though...

I know enough about that movie to say . . . not even close. Maybe when they're 30.

Someone at the iMDB who has seen Bridge to Terabithia says the movie is essentially faithful to the book, including the ending. Still looks like they overdid it with the F/X which mislead the viewer into thinking this is another version of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

I know you're joking, but overprotective humor of that sort is an example of how 24 hour news networks ruined America.

Trust me on this, as someone who knows people who come from overprotective parents, don't be overprotective, many of the kids I know who come from that are emotionally stunted, and I mean that literally, they are emotionally like 5 while physically teenagers (in fairness I also know another person who is emotionally stunted through a different means, which in my mind only reemphasizes the point).

Though it's probably still best to keep them away from most R-Rated movies.

I have no idea what this sentence means, but it's got 3 or 4 potential new catch phrases in it. My mind is reeling with the possibilities.