Friday, April 18, 2008

NIM'S ISLAND

“NIM’S ISLAND” (Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster & Gerard Butler)

This film is much more childish and silly than I anticipated – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I’m just warning you if you think the appearance of Jodie Foster in the cast is going to make it more ‘adult’... she doesn’t.
‘Nim’s Island’ is aimed at the pre-teen female audience and I think as long as you understand that going in, you can enjoy this cute little tale and might even get a kick out of watching Jodie ‘hamming’ it up as an agoraphobic novelist named Alex Rover.
Abigail Breslin plays Nim, who lives on a deserted island with her scientist father (Gerard Butler) When dad disappears during a storm, Nim turns to her favorite author –
Alex Rover; except she thinks Alex is a cavalier, swashbuckling young male stud adventurer who tells true tales of his escapades.
So ‘Alexandra’ Rover conquers her fears and races to rescue her young fan. Accompanying her is the imaginary hero of her books, ‘Alex’ (also played by Butler)

But then the film turns ‘Disney’ and becomes a silly ‘Home Alone’-like romp in the jungle, as Nim ‘fights off’ pirates that invade her island. The only problem is – they aren’t pirates, they’re a ‘cruise ship’ that comes ashore with a large contingent of vacationers, who couldn’t be mistaken for pirates by anyone with a working set of eyes!
And of course, the most intelligent creatures on the island are Nim’s animal friends; a lizard, a seal & a Mensa member pelican. Meanwhile Alexandra is going thru all kinds of ‘heck’ to rescue a little girl who is too dumb to realize she’s already been rescued! (by the cruise ship)

Leave common sense at home and you just might enjoy this little ‘fluff’ piece. The interaction between Nim & her ‘pets’ is adorable, just REALLY far-fetched.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Didn't the repelling of the tourists seem like a remake of "Swiss Family Robinson" to you?

Terry Reid said...

Sort of, but the tourists weren't 'invaders'. I likened that segment more to 'Home Alone' as the lone kid fends off the 'bad guys' with her crude but clever contraptions. Thanks for responding, wish I knew who you were, though.