Meanwhile, while hiding in a tree and overhearing some men from a cruise ship talking, Nim has gotten wind that some bad guys are coming to take over her island. Not knowing if her father is dead or alive, or if Alex is really coming, she sets about creating ingenious traps and diversions. What ensues is a terrific adventure involving crazy travel mishaps, scary storms, volcano disasters, an invasion, and some serious rescue from a jungle full of inventive animals.
Nim’s Island is filmed beautifully, tempting audiences to run away from all the stress of suburbia and build their own Swiss Family Robinson type of jungle house. The director makes great use of a number of locations on land and sea in Australia.
The acting is commendable, especially from Abigail Breslin (No Reservations, Little Miss Sunshine), who is said to come from a family of faith. Her brother, Spencer Breslin (The Santa Clause 3, The Shaggy Dog) is also a shooting star, and between them, the siblings have shot several dozen movies. In Nim’s Island, she plays both the loving, playful daughter and the fierce, determined adventurer well.
Gerard Butler makes for a fine biologist and action hero, having to alternate between American and Scottish accents. Jodie Foster plays a good, terrified recluse who must come out of her shell to save the day. And whoever trained the jungle and sea animals needs an Oscar!
Though parts of the story seem familiar (wasn’t the writer in Romancing the Stone called upon to become an adventuress, too?), there are many sweet and unique aspects to the story that will render it an appealing choice for spring moviegoers.
CAUTIONS:
- Drugs/Alcohol: Tourists on beach enjoy their drinks at a party.
- Language/Profanity: Instances of “Oh my God!” and “My God.”
- Sex/Nudity: None.
- Violence: Mostly comedic or Indiana Jones-type action. For example, at one point reptiles are flung onto screaming tourists. Other scary images might include the storms at sea, a boat being torn apart, a frightening airplane and helicopter ride, an exploding volcano, etc.
- Worldview: Generally positive, with a “Look for the hero within” message. One incident involves a man crying out, “Mother Nature, help me!”