I have to admit, I was pumped when I was awaiting a film and I saw previews for one of my favorite children's books coming out as a major motion picture—Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Katherine Patterson is best known for her work such as this in addition to The Great Gilly Hopkins, Jacob Have I Loved, and Lydie. I couldn’t wait for it to come out! It was such an amazing story—I envisioned that it would be an even better movie!
I was ecstatic to see a book that I considered to be rich literature as part of the broader movie spectrum. As compared to Sponge Bob and Captain Underwear, I was certain that movie producers were spot on with their selection.
It wasn't until the movie came out and I was seated amidst the action that I realized my disappointment. I hadn’t been cognizant until the movie came out how much I had relied on my own vision and internal response to comprehend the book. The text is crafted in such a way to allow all readers to envision the magic of Terabithia as Leslie and Jessie parade through the forest as king and queen. That was part of the reason that I was drawn to such a book. The text is exciting, creative and imaginative. The characters are kind, considerate and allowed themselves to be lost in the magic of imagination.
As I watched the film, I found the magic to be gone. The inclusion of mythical forest creatures invading their play area appeared hokey, unrealistic and almost silly. I found myself not wrapped up in the imaginative nature, but instead critiquing the cinematography. I also found that I was let down by the appearance of Leslie and Jessie as actual actors. They were not cast the way I had imagined. It almost made their cross gender relationship unbelievable and seemed more as a childhood love affair, which was not at all the way that Paterson had envisioned when she crafted the text. I also found that while reading, I was able to suspend disbelief in many elements (the sequencing, the family relationships, etc.) where once again while watching the film, I found it unbelievable and I was quite critical of the actions. Though this could be a wise lesson for readers and it may even engage readers to try out this book because they have either enjoyed the movie or they could watch it after reading the book!
While I was glad to see that Bridge to Terabithia has reached higher levels of fame and a larger audience, I was disappointed by the actual production. I definitely prefer the book to the movie and realized that I enjoyed my own interpretation of the text over that of the movie production company. Perhaps I am biased because I was so enthralled by this book that I built up my expectations quite high for the movie premiere.
I was ecstatic to see a book that I considered to be rich literature as part of the broader movie spectrum. As compared to Sponge Bob and Captain Underwear, I was certain that movie producers were spot on with their selection.
It wasn't until the movie came out and I was seated amidst the action that I realized my disappointment. I hadn’t been cognizant until the movie came out how much I had relied on my own vision and internal response to comprehend the book. The text is crafted in such a way to allow all readers to envision the magic of Terabithia as Leslie and Jessie parade through the forest as king and queen. That was part of the reason that I was drawn to such a book. The text is exciting, creative and imaginative. The characters are kind, considerate and allowed themselves to be lost in the magic of imagination.
As I watched the film, I found the magic to be gone. The inclusion of mythical forest creatures invading their play area appeared hokey, unrealistic and almost silly. I found myself not wrapped up in the imaginative nature, but instead critiquing the cinematography. I also found that I was let down by the appearance of Leslie and Jessie as actual actors. They were not cast the way I had imagined. It almost made their cross gender relationship unbelievable and seemed more as a childhood love affair, which was not at all the way that Paterson had envisioned when she crafted the text. I also found that while reading, I was able to suspend disbelief in many elements (the sequencing, the family relationships, etc.) where once again while watching the film, I found it unbelievable and I was quite critical of the actions. Though this could be a wise lesson for readers and it may even engage readers to try out this book because they have either enjoyed the movie or they could watch it after reading the book!
While I was glad to see that Bridge to Terabithia has reached higher levels of fame and a larger audience, I was disappointed by the actual production. I definitely prefer the book to the movie and realized that I enjoyed my own interpretation of the text over that of the movie production company. Perhaps I am biased because I was so enthralled by this book that I built up my expectations quite high for the movie premiere.
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