NIM'S ISLAND

REVIEWED BY RISSI C.

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Rated:

Ever since the amazing blockbuster hit The Chronicles of Narnia, one of the studios that helped bring it to life seems to appear everywhere. Chances are if a new children’s fantasy film is opening, Walden Media is somehow involved. I first learned of Nim’s Island because I am quickly becoming a fan of the young lady who stars in it, Abigail Breslin. What I came away with from the conclusion of this movie was pure enjoyment and Walden Media is “right on” in the fantasy department.

Stories, stories, and more stories is all a young four-year-old Nim has of her loving mother. Her particular favorite is one her dad, Jack (Gerard Butler), always tells of “the oceanographer and the buccaneer.” By the time Nim was four, she and her father had traveled across the world twice; now at eleven Nim (Abigail Breslin) is living a dream life on a remote island paradise with her father that they call their very own and are determined to keep it that way. Nim is home-schooled (or rather “island schooled”) and has all the friends a girl could want; Silky, the sea lion and Fred the fearless lizard. A Marine Biologist, Jack is able to devout a great deal of time to his work while gone on overnight trips out to the open sea. During his latest quest, a terrible storm ensues and having stayed behind, Nim is unable to reach her father the next morning.

Frightened but confident her father will return, Nim begins to e-mail her favorite adventure hero, Alex Rover. Little does Nim realize the replies are from Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster) the writer and creator of the book series. Alexandra is nothing like her hero; she’s a recluse living in San Francisco who can’t even manage getting her own mail and has an inane “issue” about cleanliness. In a desperate last plea, Nim entreats “Alex” to come to the island and help her protect it from a group of rich tourists planning to turn it into a resort … and to rescue her father from danger.

This is one of the best surprises I’ve seen lately; walking away from this children’s fantasy I couldn’t believe what fun it was and surprisingly enough it’s one of the cleanest films out there for young children. If Walden Media continues on this path they are likely to have more than just the Narnia epics as hits. It has often been said that a book and an imagination can take you anywhere you desire; for Nim this is true and we get to experience her adventures firsthand; this is where Walden shines. While reading the latest Alex Rover story, we are transported with Nim to a desert island where the fearless hero is being held by captives; the scene gives us the feel that we are right there with Nim. One thing is for sure, this tale is filled with excitement. There are a few things that may bear caution for particularly careful parents or older siblings, but as long as you know what frightens your young family member, they shouldn’t be too bothersome. Nim has numerous sea friends; Fred the lizard may frighten some youngsters at times when he is shown in a close up while launching himself unto a troublesome person; several “friends” of his end up attaching themselves to tourists. Various strong storms are shown and crashing waves throw a person around. In the opening titles a story is told about a woman being swallowed by a whale.

Alexandra is fearful of the world and can’t even get past her own front door, and her character is constantly egging her on to be the hero. Language is minimal. Nim ends up climbing a volcano; it warrants some discussion as it was a foolish decision for her to make and causes her injury. As is usual (unfortunately) Nim talks back on occasion to her father. His response is saying he never could win arguments either one of his girls. Similarly, Nim expresses anger at Alexandra once she arrives. It also bears mentioning that a father leaves his daughter alone on a remote island, even through she encourages it. The cast are all excellent. Foster isn’t a favorite, but she was acceptable in this sort of role. This was only my second exposure to Butler, but he was great. With Alex he was able to show off a comic side (which he pulled off well) and with Jack he was able to play a father which he managed superbly. The real gem however was young Miss Breslin, who has followed up her Oscar nomination with a series of excellent films.

In addition to all its other pros, this film is visually stunning; from the scenery to Nim’s home, everything is lush, tropical and lovely to look at. A big thumbs up goes to whoever did the opening credits having made them artistic and whimsical so that they went very well with the story. Nim’s Island features some remarkably sweet scenes between Butler and Breslin as father and daughter; they gave them such a touching bedtime ritual that no matter how small, I found quite endearing. Foster and Breslin share a touching scene near the end of the adventure; the finish is really charming, but open to any possibility you may want to imagine. If you enjoyed such recent box office films as Nancy Drew or Stardust, take your little ones to Nim’s Island. I’m pretty certain they’ll find it a magical journey they won’t want to leave anytime soon and despite it being geared toward the younger crowd, if you let yourself, you may find you’ve been swept into an enchanted island for an hour and a half right along with them. So, sit back relax and be taken to a delightful land that is Nim’s Island.