So it has been a little longer than I wanted since I walked out of the movie. But there were things to do and weights to lift! Haha!
I thought the movie was pretty decent. I said when we were in the lobby that I wished I had brought a notebook so that I could write down everything I was thinking before I forgot it. I think every thought left my mind with the tears streaming down my cheek. I was only mildly disappointed. The magic aspect of the movie was the only thing I wish had been different. I guess I just didn't like how it fit in. I tried to watch the movie thinking as a movie executive would think: how can we make it appeal to different audiences, how can we make it into a feature length film, how can we add slight changes that we think make it better. That is what I had in mind when I watched the magic scenes.
Although I didn't like the magic, I did enjoy the name Hairy Vultures for Gary Fulcher. I thought that was pretty amusing.
I'm not sure if there was anything else I would have changed. The actors were great, especially Bailee Madison, who played May Belle. The characters stayed true to the book and I really felt Jess's pain, I think that goes with out saying. I was pretty nervous about the movie, but I wasn't let down. I enjoyed the movie as a movie and the book as a book. I don't think you can ever capture the same feelings you feel when you read a book and create your own images, but I still give the filmmakers an A for this movie.
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I also liked how the creatures they were fighting in Terabithia were named for the people in real-life. I thought that was a good addition. I also didn't really like all of the special effects and magic in the forest, but at least it wasn't as focused on that as the trailers led you to believe. I was afraid it was going to be a fantasy/science fiction movie, but fortunately it wasn't. The trailers reminded me of Narnia, and I didn't think that should be the main focus of the movie. I enjoyed the movie more than I thought I would after seeing the previews.
I agree that May Belle was perfectly cast, and I found Leslie to be a charmer. Somehow, she reminded me of a young Keira Knightly...all wide-eyed and sparkly. Actually, all of the actors were good fits for their roles.
I didn't really enjoy the creatures in the forest, but maybe kids are really interested in that sort of things. You put it perfectly: "I enjoyed the movie for a movie and the book for a book." This is how I feel as well. I didn't think it was a bad movie, though I was slightly disappointed. All I could do throughout the movie was compare it to the book. I guess that's natural. I'm just glad I read the book first.
How did I totally miss the names? Wow, makes me think I should go see it again to pick up on more of the little things.
What would you have changed about it, when you were thinking about the movie as an executive?
I'll be sure to sit next to you next time so I'm not the only one crying!!
I'm not sure what else I would have changed if I was an exec. I guess in that point of view, I can justify the other changes that others have been commenting about- the more contemporary time, less of a rural setting, no holidays (to broaden the audience).
I also agree that the movie was perfectly cast. The characters were all somewhat as I imagined them to be. I also loved May Belle and the relationship and chemistry between her and Jess. For me, I was more emotionally involved with the movie than the book. I really cared about the characters and experienced their emotions in a different way.
As an adult viewer, I also could have done without the special effect animation aspect. It didn't take away from the movie as much as I thought, because the movie trailer made it seem that the computerized characters dominate the story line. I adored the little girl who played May Belle because of her darling facial expressions and innocent love for her brother. Even though Jess felt alone or shunned in the family for most of the story, he finds out in the end that he was honored after all. The actress who played May Belle was endearing in her portrayal of that notion. I enjoyed the movie much more than I thought I would.
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