'Bridge to Terabithia'

"Bridge to Terabithia" takes us down the old pike of Disney dreams, out past Norman Rockwell Estates toward Narnia City. It's a good trip.

Katherine Paterson's prize-winning family novel has been adapted (partly by her son David) into a fluent, winning Disney vehicle.
Set in one of those cozy, idyllic towns that is partly suburban, mostly country, never urban enough to feel threatening, it is a story of youth surviving the puberty years (with mere winks of sexual interest). 

Josh Hutcherson is appealing Jesse, son in a large rural family, quietly artistic but all-guy. He is befriended by the spunky new neighbor, Leslie, played by hugely engaging AnnaSophia Robb. Her brisk, captivating smile is the golden ticket to a fantasyland in the woods that she names Terabithia.

There dwell whimsical beings, invoked by imagination, a little scary in a cute way. Some hairy uglies, but no "Pan's Labyrinth" freakouts. Jesse has a great little sister, and Leslie a fine dog, and even the school bullies have warm, decent moments. Zooey Deschanel, eyes almost incandescent, is the swell music teacher whom all the kids love.

Veteran toughie Robert Patrick, who even played Elvis' father in a TV film, is Jesse's dad, a bit forbidding but a fine guy. There is some talk about the Bible and the ways of God, and a cultured curtsy to Leonardo da Vinci (not coded). Despite mischief, the humor is a long way from "Borat."

The adroitly calibrated life lessons include a chill gulp of death, and Terabithia proves to be soulful, even healing. What most delivers is the efficiently just-right cast, the charmed bonding of kid stars Robb and Hutcherson. And the smooth but not custardized direction by Gabor Csupo, who comes from animation.

A lot of parents beg, bark and whine for family fare at the movies. "Bridge" shucks even its corn quota well, giving those parents (and their kids) what they claim to want. Folks, don't wait for the DVD.

A Buena Vista Pictures release. Director: Gabor Csupo. Writers: Jeff Stockwell, David Paterson. Cast: Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick. Running time: 1 hour, 35 minutes. Rated PG. 3 stars.

RATINGS

4 stars - Excellent.

3 stars - Worthy.

2 stars - Mixed.

1 star - Poor.

0 stars - Forget it.