Nim's Island (2008)

O Masterpiece
O Excellent
O Good
X OK
O Mediocrity
O Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / April 22, 2008

“Nim’s Island” is a pleasant little family film about how one can draw upon hidden reserves of strength and determination within one’s self. Most kids will probably enjoy “Nim’s Island.” I’d guess it’s targeted specifically for those between 7 and 12 years old but can be enjoyed by just about anyone who is willing to watch it.

Nim (Abigail Breslin) lives with her father, Jack (Gerard Butler), on a remote island off the tip of Patagonia. It is just the two of them and Nim’s many animal friends. Her marine-biologist father loves science and seclusion. Nim loves to read Alex Rover novels, action-adventure books that she believes are autobiographical tales written about the male explorer’s life.

One day Nim’s father sails off for a couple days on a scientific expedition, leaving Nim alone at their island paradise. But after a storm, Nim’s father doesn’t return when he is expected to. A worried little Nim begins to correspond with Alex Rover, which leads to her asking him to come to the island and help her.

But it turns out that Alex Rover is actually short for Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster), a fiction writer who isn’t an adventurer at all; she’s agoraphobic, which means she’s afraid to leave her apartment.

Rover senses young Nim’s desperation and makes the terrifying trek from San Francisco to Nim’s Island, all the while, prodded and encouraged by her action-hero alter ego, Alex Rover (also Gerard Butler).

What can I say? “Nim’s Island” is cutesy and filled with lots of slapstick humor and acrobatic CGI animals. It probably wouldn’t be an adult’s first pick for entertainment; but if you have kids, “Nim’s Island” is a sure bet.

Directed by Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin
Abigail Breslin / Jodie Foster / Gerard Butler
Family / Adventure 95 min.
MPAA: PG (for mild adventure action and brief language)

U.S. Release Date: April 4, 2008
Copyright 2008: 273