Nim's Island  

Year of Release: 2008
Genre: Adventure / Comedy
Rating: PG for mild adventure action and brief language.
Director: Jennifer Flackett & Marc Levin
Starring: Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler

Date Of Review: May 2008

“Nim’s Island” is a clean cut film that you can take the whole family too. It’s a real pity though, that the film won’t satisfy the whole family. The movie poster looks great and adults looking at it may think, Jodie Foster in kid's film equals above average kid's film but unfortunately that's not the case. Kids should love it but mums and dads may get a little bit irritable with the story, in particular, the flimsy fantasy element. I guess when you see an adventurer with a fedora hat you expect some sort of "Indiana Jones" magic but the only magic in this film is that the adventurer with the fedora hat is not real and you wish he was. Gerard Butler’s “adventurer character” drops in and out of scenes as the imaginary hero of the piece but his presence is somewhat ineffective. His character just doesn’t feature in the film in the capacity that you want. I am sure that some of the young kids in attendance will be scratching their heads wondering who the heck is guy in the hat? The fantasy element that is supposed to be the strong point of the film, just doesn’t fully work, it is somewhat overwhelming in a negative sense and tends to grate on you after a while.

"Nim's Island" features a trio of big names in the cast. As usual, youngster Abigail Breslin (“Definitely Maybe”) doesn’t disappoint and is well cast as Nim, the impressionable child with the vivid imagination. Nim lives on a deserted island with her scientist father and spends her days reading Alex Rover novels and playing with an assortment of island animals. Jodie Foster does what is required in her role but is rather underused as the neurotic adventure writer Alex Rover, who has a bad case of agoraphobia. Foster’s character lives a sheltered existence, spending her days amerced in an imaginary world of writing. She names the lead character in her best selling adventure novels after herself but is so terrified of the real world that she is too frightened to step foot out of her own house, so much so, that even a simple task such as getting her mail is an absolute nightmare for her. Gerard Butler ("P.S. I Love You") has fun in his dual role as Breslin’s father and also as the fictitious imaginary adventurer Alex Rover. Butler slips into each guise easily and is convincing in each role but we expect more from his characters and get a little less from the script.

Unfortunately, the real adventure that you are waiting for is remarkably absent and never really kicks in. The most exciting thing we get in this film, action-wise, is a couple of freak storms and we have seen them before.... haven't we! In another attempt at action-comedy we see Nim rolling boulders down a mountain trying to scare off a cruise ship of tourists that have parked themselves on the sandy shores of her island but "Swiss Family Robinson" this film ain' t. The scene is rather laughable and that's not in a comedy sense; as one of the boulders goes the wrong way and sets off the island's volcano. Also, just when you think the adventure might build to an exciting climax, it’s all over in a rather lackluster final reel that sees the end credits roll much sooner than you think. It’s a bit of a pity, as “Nim’s Island” has a great cast and plenty of promise but somehow all the elements don’t transfer from the page to the screen. Actually, I think reading one of the Alex Rover novels would be more exciting than sitting through this disappointing attempt at adventure.   

On the plus side, “Nim’s Island” features some beautiful location scenery, a lovable sea lion and an intelligent pelican called…. you guessed it, Galileo. The film was shot on location in Australia's sunshine state, Queensland, with Hinchinbrook Island posing as the island of the title. Like the Matthew McConaughey / Kate Hudson adventure "Fool's Gold", Queensland is once again used to great effect as a film set. "Nim's Island" also features some nice visual effects, one that comes to mind is the email sequence. Ever wondered what happens when you send an email to someone, well this film will show you exactly how it travels.

“Nim’s Island” is a far-fetched family fantasy with creativity to burn and an Academy Award winning actress going through the paces. It’s “Romancing The Stone” for kids but with very little on the romance front. In fact, the only romance between Foster and the “real” Butler is seeing the two of them holding hands on the final frame of the film. What a shame, as I was hoping for some more chemistry between the two adult leads. I guess it's just not the film that I imagined it would be or hoped it would be. Cute title, nice poster, pity about the film.

Finally, if audiences want to see an "Indiana Jones" action-adventure they may have to stick with the 65 year-old man in the fedora hat that is coming soon to a theatre near you. Unfortunately, "Nim's Island" is more of a misadventure than an action-adventure and adults may get a bit restless watching this one, although, under 12’s, in particular young girls, may connect with the central character (Breslin) and lap up some of the island mayhem. Busy parent’s can rest assured that “Nim’s Island” is harmless fun and a good alternative as a child care facility. That’s right; it’s an okay film to send your young children to see with their older siblings, they’re not going to see anything they shouldn't and the film should spark a healthy imagination…. as long as they don’t latch on to some of Foster’s idiosyncrasies.   

© Copyright Pick Of The Flicks. All rights reserved.  

Nim's Island Movie Stills: Now Available:

Abigail Breslin DVD Collection - Now Available:
Click here for Abigail Breslin Movies on DVD

Jodie Foster DVD Collection - Now Available:
Click here for Jodie Foster Movies on DVD

Gerard Butler DVD Collection - Now Available:
Click here for Gerard Butler Movies on DVD

Pick Of The Flicks - Recommended Links:
Gerard Butler at Internet Actors Database

Fantasy, Sci-Fi & Adventure at Hollywood Teen Movies
Teen Movies Of The New Millennium
Tony's Cult Movies, Blockbusters & Classics

Pick Of The Flicks Blog Spot / Messageboard:
Click here to have your say or see what others are saying

Use the search bars below to search our site, find your favorite movie or find your favorite poster:

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.pickoftheflicks.com