Nim's Island review (gua.com.my)

by Max Koh
18 April 2008

Rating;
7/10

Title:
Nim’s Island

Cast:
Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, Alphonso McAuley and Michael Carman

Genre:
Adventure, Fantasy

Review:

The last time we saw Gerard Butler in ‘300’, it was hard not to turn our attention away from his rock-solid abs and witty one-liners. He had the character down pat, playing King Leonidas who led 300 Spartans to defend their Greek state from the impending armies of King Xerxes in the Battle of Thermopylae.

In his latest movie ‘Nim’s Island’, Butler sheds his masculine posturing and them perfectly sculpted six packs to take on a doting and fatherly role. But worry not ladies, he is one hot paternal figure. And wait till you hear his lilting Scottish accent ...

Butler, however, isn’t the only one with the charms in the movie. There is his young female co-star, Breslin. She has certainly grown in dramatic strength since mesmerising us with her performance in ‘Little Miss Sunshine’. She holds her own when sharing screen time with Hollywood heavyweight Foster and her chemistry with Butler comes across as heartfelt and genuine. (Those who love Breslin must also catch ‘Definitely Maybe’ where she stars alongside Ryan Reynolds and Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz.)

Breslin plays the 11-year-old titular character who lives with her marine biologist dad Jack (Butler) on a secret island somewhere near Borneo. Even though they are the only two people on the island, they are self-sufficient and lead a simple but contented life. Jack has his research while Nim has her animal friends – a dancing seal, squeaking lizard and a smart pelican – coupled with her vivid imagination to keep her company.

When her father goes missing at sea, Nim enlists the help of her favourite author, Alex Rover (Foster), whom she imagines to be some adventure-seeking Indiana Jones-like character. Unfortunately, Rover turns out to be a neurotic writer who is apprehensive even about stepping out of the house to get her mail and is afraid of almost everything under the sun.

When Nim’s plea for help becomes desperate – she has to defend her island from opportunists who wants to turn the island into a tourist attraction – Rover decides it’s time to conquer her fears and help her little fan. At the same time, Jack struggles to get back to his daughter.

Foster steps out from her usual strong female characters to play the reclusive Rover, which she does with much aplomb. Who would have thought that Foster possesses great comic timing and her antics would easily get the kids laughing aloud. It is a wonderful change seeing her in a comedy after the string of tough roles in ‘Panic Room’ and ‘The Brave One’.

While the actors were great in their roles, the storyline unfortunately loses steam halfway with its uninteresting subplots. Thankfully, it picks up towards the end. So be prepared to find ways to ‘sedate’ (no, I didn’t say that) your boisterous kids during those boring parts for the sake of other patrons in the cinema.

The film was shot mostly in Australia with scenic views of the island. Drawing influences from the children’s book it is based on, the film also boasts some very charming storybook-like visuals at the start of the movie. It lends a nice touch to the film and should definitely appeal to the kids.

‘Nim’s Island’ is a light-hearted children affair that will appeal to kids aged eight and below with its saccharine storyline infused with moral values. Families with young kids can go no wrong with this. However, those with older children would have better luck with ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ or ‘Horton Hears A Who!’

And if you really want to see Butler, go buy the ‘300’ DVD instead. This is a kid’s show, so don’t expect a half-naked Butler showing off his abs, even though the premise of Butler getting wet and stranded on a boat in the middle of the sea sounds enticing. But I am disappointed to announce that it doesn’t happen here. So, get your fix somewhere else.

Did You Know?

During shooting, Breslin forced Butler to fill up a jar with coins whenever he used a bad word. The money was later donated to charity. How adorable!