AMG Review of Bridge to Terabithia

Heather Phares
All Music Guide

The soundtrack to the 2007 film adaptation of Katherine Paterson's classic young adult novel -Bridge to Terebithia features tween-friendly songs as well as excerpts from Aaron Zigman's score. Most of the songs are sweet, earnest, acoustic guitar-driven songs that fit in well with the film's themes of friendship, inspiration, and imagination; in fact, the first three tracks, "I Learned from You" by Miley Cyrus (aka Hannah Montana), "Try" by Hayden Panettierre (aka #Heroes' indestructible cheerleader Claire Bennet), and Annasophia Robb's "Keep Your Mind Wide Open" are so similar that they sound like one extra-long song. Bethany Dillon's "When You Love Someone" and Jon McLaughlin's "Another Layer" stay in that template while providing a little variety, but the most distinctive track belongs to Everlife, whose "Look Through My Eyes" brings a little rock energy to its choruses. Zigman's score is pleasant and appropriately magical-sounding, especially on the soaring, sparkling "Into the Forest." "The Battle" goes from thunderous to mournful, providing the bridge between the imaginary and real lives of the story's characters. Bridge to Terabithia is an uplifting soundtrack; even if, ironically enough, it feels a little lacking in imagination at times, it should please fans of the movie.