Nim's Island
Friday, 25 Apr 2008 17:08
Gerard Butler stars as a marine biologist in Nim's Island
Directed by Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett, out April 25th, starring Jodie Foster, Abigail Breslin, Gerard Butler, Alphonso McAuley, Peter Callan, running time 96 mins.
In a nutshell...
'Be the hero of your own story'
What's it all about?
This fantasy family adventure alls take place on Nim's very own Island (who would have thought?) which she equally shares with her marine biologist father Jack (Gerald Butler), who occasionally leaves her under the supervision of a sea lion and a couple of animals. Nim (Abigail Breslin) lives a reality that mirrors that of her favourite literary character, the grand Alex Rover, the world's greatest adventurer. Except for one small fact - Alex Rover is actually Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster), a neurotic unsociable agoraphobic who can't even fetch her own post. When Nim's father Jack gets stranded at sea, Nim strikes up an e-conversation with Alexandra Rover who is called upon to leave her safe haven at home and come to Nim's rescue. Alexandra is in desperate need of some of her fictional characters' strength to defeat her own reclusive ness and save this little girl from the baddies that are trying to take over her island.
Who's in it?
Abigail Breslin turns in a bright enthusiastic performance as young imaginative Nim. After recently losing her mother (eaten by a big blue whale) Nim finds comfort in the sea animals and conjures up a plan to frighten a bunch of fat traveller off the Island. The feisty 12-year-old might be young, but good things come in small packages when it comes to this professional miniature actress. She has starred in hits such as Little Miss Sunshine for which she was even nominated for an Oscar in 2006. Breslin exhibits a cheeky charm as Nim Roscoe and will make every child include a sea lion and their own personal island on their upcoming Christmas list.
Gerard Butler who plays Jack Roscoe the scientist (as a part-time Alex Rover character) gives a dull performance that doesn't take much method, in this unconvincing supportive father role. Of course, the last time Butler appeared on our screens was as the Irishman with an unmistakably Scottish accent in the tear-jerker wannabe PS I Love You. On this occasion, things haven't seemed to differ despite a genre switch, for in Nim's Island the actor's Scottish accent remains firmly. Butler gives a standard performance as the Alex Rover character but lacks charisma when portraying Jack Roscoe, the caring father stranded at sea who's desperate to see his daughter. Or did he just seem more concerned with saving his research on microplankton? Whatever floats your boat, I guess Jack!
It's not a typical role for Jodie Foster but her playing of the nervous wreck author of the bestselling Alex Rover books has some very funny moments included. Foster is usually one for the more serious role but definitely gives us a taste of her funny side in this lighthearted comical performance.
Husband-and-wife directing team Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett employ conventional special effects, a straightforward storyline and and a half dozen animal actors in their adaptation of Australian author Wendy Orr's children's novel. The film boasts beautiful locations and breathtaking views which was the result of team work with Waldon Media. For Nim's Island, Levin and Flackett construct a narrative around the acting abilities of minors as they previously did on the 2005 hit Little Manhattan without losing any credibility. The pair also co-wrote the upcoming film Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D, due for release later this year.
As an example...
"Be the hero of your own life story." - Jack
"Don't hand me that line - I wrote that line!" - Alex Rover
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
A fantabulous job in special effects and flash animation but the problem is, it's not especially unique.
What the others say
"The location for this film was very nice; it was an untouched island paradise full of life and wonder. It made me want to run away and make a ramshackle hut out of driftwood. I would spend my days drinking coconut milk and hunting boars." – Doug, The Movie Blog
"It's Home Alone meets Robinson Crusoe and it's all gravy, but what kind of parent leaves his kid all by herself on an uncharted island to brave the ocean in a 15-foot boat, anyway?" Drew Toal, Time Out
So is it any good?
Nim's Island is a semi-cute movie that ends up in a sinking position due to a nonsensical plot line that leaves you rolling your eyes throughout. As the film gradually unfolds it gets seriously mundane and ends on a typical cliche note. Typhoons end up appearing out of nowhere and scenes of volcanoes (reminiscent of Gilligan's Island) erupting due to Nim slipping on the odd rock or two would many scientists shaking their heads. Nim's Island seems to sound more like a nightmare then an idyllic island.
Conversely the film includes a few good points, with the nicely-handled CGI not overly distracting, animal antics prividing the odd giggle, and a pleasingly-placed romantic twist.
Obviously, children will be the main fans of this film, while the majority of the adult audience will spend most of the time noting the many reasons why Jodie Foster is better known for her roles in the suspense genre than for any of her comedic attempts.
The film should have spent more time concentrating on the premise that the mother was chewed up by a blue whale and then slurped up like a strawberry smoothie. Instead, it becomes a tediously-paced affair linking a trio of characters who spend most of their onscreen time trying to find each other.
To be honest it's not really worth popping onto Nim's Island unless you enjoy flying lizards and volcano eruptions on a daily basis. So I expect to keep sailing past and opt for a safer location.
If you're worried about being lost at sea and never seeing your loved ones again then the simple answer is find a safer location rather then a remote island in the middle of the South Pacific!
All in all, Nim's Island is not recommended for anyone over the age of ten.
4/10
Natalie Gurvitz
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