Nim's Island (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, Michael Carman, Mark BradyDirector: Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Studio: 20th Century Fox
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
Running Time: 96 minutes
DVD Release: August 5th 2008
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DVD Review
Adventure doesn't always begin with pirates on the high seas or explorers deep in the desert; sometimes it starts with an idyllic life on a private island in the middle of the South Asiatic Sea. For 11-year old Nim (Abigail Breslin) and her father and microbiologist Jack Russo (Gerard Butler), life is perfect thanks to their love of nature, Jack's mechanical ingenuity, and regular deliveries via supply ship. Loneliness is never an issue for Nim because of her special friendships with Selkie the sea lion, Galileo the pelican, and Freddie the iguana and her education is intensive, if rather unique. Adventure and imagination are ways of life for Nim whether she's heading out to sea to help her father collect plankton specimens, playing soccer on the beach with Selkie, or delving into the latest Alex Rover adventure novel, but everything changes when Jack departs on the boat for a two-night expedition to collect plankton specimens and gets caught in an unexpected storm. Alone on the island, Nim begins to worry about her father's safety as well as her own and, through a chance email, connects with Alex Rover (Jodie Foster) whom she begs to come help find her father. Problem is, author Alexandra Rover is an unbalanced big city shut-in who's afraid to leave her townhouse, not the fearless adventure hero portrayed in her books. Nim, Alexandra, and Jack embark upon the adventures of a lifetime in which each must overcome his or her own fears and perceived powerlessness and limitations in order to grow and help one another. The question is; can each prevail against his or her own insecurities and the fury of nature? Based on the novel Nim's Island by Wendy Orr, Nim's Island is first and foremost a captivating adventure full of suspense and peril which also offers a touching look at the love between a father and daughter. (Ages 7 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
User Reviews
"Nim's Island" is a fun-filled fantasy for nearly all ages. - Rating: 4/5
This is exactly the kind of film I've been waiting for Jody Foster to do. I always knew she had this well-hidden comedic side. In addition, Gerard Butler makes a great Scottish Indiana Jones!
Again, Amazon has done a nice job summarizing the film, so not much of that here. This is just a special film to me because I just love how this family friendly film intertwines fantasy, adventure, relationships and love into one clever package. Gerard Butler does terrific double duty as Abigail Breslin's father and Jodie Foster's alter ego who gives her the courage to face her fears to save Breslin who has been separated from her father on their island, which has been "invaded" (another clever storyline). Foster must get over her fear of the outside world in order to get to Breslin's character on that isolated island and those moments when she battle with herself and her alter ego (Bulter) are the show stopping moments for me.
The films sparkles with originality and heart. I was delighted by the performances and left smiling when the closing credits ran. This film may not delight all though. It is an awkward mix and bounces around wildly as if the writer and director had forgotten to take their A.D.D. medications, but for some, like me, that is the charm of this film, but for others, that can grate on one's nerves. It's a matter of taste.
Although just a bit too uneven at times, I completely enjoyed this film.
Nice family movie - Rating: 5/5
Not the cleverest story ever told, but an adventure movie focused around a bright, energetic young girl. The producers took the time to tell it in an interesting fashion, that keeps younger viewers engaged in trying distinguish the real dialogue between characters and that between figments of their imagination. The animal interactions were cute as well.
A bit sappy, but good for a family night.
Boring in the extreme... - Rating: 1/5
Okay, yes I'm a grownup. But there have been lots of "kid" films over the years that I've enjoyed. And this film had everything going for it.
Jodie Foster, yummy Gerard Butler, a deserted island for a home, loads of adventure (at least according to the trailer), trained animals, a mother swallowed by a whale.
This movie turned out to be a very pale imitation of "Romancing the Stone", without the romance, without the adventure, without the fun...I was bored stiff in the first five minutes and by the time Jodie Foster eventually made it to the island, I just plain didn't care.
If this film is truly aimed at 6-8 year old, then they've got to be the least interesting 6-8 year olds on the planet. Because my grandkids were bored stiff too (ages 6, 10 and 11, two of them girls). Maybe the film picked up during the last half hour; I wouldn't know, I fell asleep. And the grandkids were afraid I was going to make them sit through it again to see what I missed! Boy were they relieved.
Yawn.
Heroic Journeys - Rating: 4/5
Nim (Abigail Breslin) lives with her father Jack (Gerard Butler) on an isolated island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They've lived there since discovering it on one of their around the world cruises after Nim's mother died. Even though they are alone, they aren't lonely. Nim has made friends with several of the island's animals. They have tons of books. Somehow, they have the internet (that's never explained). And every few months a ship comes by and drops off supplies, including the latest Alex Rover novel.
Jack is a marine biologist always on the trail of a new species of microorganism. When he gets a lead, he takes off for two days. Nim insists she stay behind since her sea turtles eggs are about to hatch. Two days turns into longer when a fierce storm comes up and partially destroys his boat.
While Jack's away, Nim gets an e-mail from Alex Rover asking for help in research for the next book. When things begin to go wrong, the upset 11 year old pours out her heart to Alex, asking for help.
What Nim doesn't know is that Alex Rover is really Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster) the author who created the hugely popular character. And Alexandra is afraid of everything and never leaves her apartment. Can Alexandra overcome her fears and come to Nim's rescue?
From the previews, I expected a story set on an island. And part of it was. But the story is as much about Alexandra's journey to the island as it is what is happening on the island. When I realized this, I had to shift my expectations. And I'm glad I did because I enjoyed the movie.
It is filled with the kinds of stuff deserted island fanciers will love. The house that Nim and her dad live in is wonderful. The animals are exceedingly cute and the scenery is beautiful. If it were real, I'd be on the next plane out for a vacation on this island.
As long as we're talking about fantasies, there is a fantasy sequence near the beginning that this reader loved. You'll know it when you see it. I was grinning stupidly the entire time that scene was on.
Ultimately, this movie is about finding the courage to be a hero. It's something that Nim, Jack, and Alexandra must do in various ways. What I like about it is that all three face that need in different ways
But this isn't a preachy film. Instead, it's hidden in a film filled with adventure and laughs. It could have been broad and over the top, but it never falls into that trap. That is partially thanks to the wonderful acting by all involved.
Now I will admit that the movie is a bit far fetched. But while you are watching it, you'll want to believe every second because you are having so much fun.
The one flaw the movie has is the climax. Quite a few things were glossed over in the rush to get there, and it is over much too quickly.
The movie is PG. I'm guessing because it is because of characters in peril. I don't remember any language issues. Frankly, I think this is a movie that kids of all ages will enjoy.
So if you are looking for a family friendly movie, give this one a chance.
A Pleasure to Watch - Rating: 5/5
A delightful tale about a young girl, her father and her favorite author. Recently, my family and I rented this video. We loved it so much we bought it. It is a charming story that takes you away to wonderful island full of beautiful scenery. The story line is much like the book. I enjoyed it. It has a DISNEY-like family quality to it. The disc extras were good we thought.
