But life had a way of intruding on their fantasies. Leslie, with her boundless energy and infectious laughter, had been the spark that brought Terabithia to life. Jesse, with his artistic soul and quiet determination, had been the foundation.
One reason Bridge to Terabithia holds up better than CGI-heavy films of its era is its restraint. Director Gábor Csupo (creator of Rugrats ) used practical effects and real locations in New Zealand (standing in for rural Virginia). The "creatures"—the squirrel, the dark master, the trolls—are a mix of animatronics and stylized CGI that looks intentionally dreamlike.