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Nim's Island
Alone on the island, Nim begins to worry about her father's safety as well as her own and, through a chance email, connects with Alex Rover (Jodie Foster) whom she begs to come help find her father. Problem is, author Alexandra Rover is an unbalanced big city shut-in who's afraid to leave her townhouse, not the fearless adventure hero portrayed in her books.Nim, Alexandra, and Jack embark upon the adventures of a lifetime in which each must overcome his or her own fears and perceived powerlessness and limitations in order to grow and help one another. The question is; can each prevail against his or her own insecurities and the fury of nature? Based on the novel Nim's Island by Wendy Orr, Nim's Island is first and foremost a captivating adventure full of suspense and peril which also offers a touching look at the love between a father and daughter. (Ages 7 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £11.90 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Nim's Island proves adventure doesn't always begin with pirates on the high seas or explorers deep in the desert; sometimes it starts with an idyllic life on a private island in the middle of the South Asiatic Sea. For 11-year old Nim (Abigail Breslin) and her father and microbiologist Jack Russo (Gerard Butler), life is perfect thanks to their love of nature, Jack's mechanical ingenuity, and regular deliveries via supply ship. Loneliness is never an issue for Nim because of her special friendships with Selkie the sea lion, Galileo the pelican, and Freddie the iguana and her education is intensive, if rather unique. Adventure and imagination are ways of life for Nim whether she's heading out to sea to help her father collect plankton specimens, playing soccer on the beach with Selkie, or delving into the latest Alex Rover adventure novel, but everything changes when Jack departs on the boat for a two-night expedition to collect plankton specimens and gets caught in an unexpected storm.
Not bad
Review date: 2008-08-28 Rating: 6 out of 10
The film started with an interesting plot...
Nim and her father are living alone on an island when one day her father takes a trip out on his boat and gets lost at sea. Nim asks for help by emailing her favourite author Alex Rover (Jodie Foster).
Alex Rover who is scared of everything sets out to save the day with the help of her favourite self-imagined adventure character.
This was executed well and acted brilliantly by Jodie Foster. What lets the film down though is the way the ending seems rushed, the father returns too quickly at the end. The film focuses only on the journey and not at all on the destination. It would have been nice for Alex and Nim to have some sort of adventure together and explore that relationship more thoroughly before Nims dad had returned.
However it's a cute story and though there are a few obvious plot holes it's an old-fashioned tale of adventure that will capture the imagination.
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Reviews
Good movie for kids
Review date: 2008-08-18 Rating: 6 out of 10
Nim (Abigail Breslin) lives with her scientist father (Gerard Butler) on their own tropical island. They have all the modern conveniences and are devoted to one another. One day, Dad gets lost at sea and Nim starts an email correspondence with Alex Rover (Jodie Foster), the neurotic, agoraphobic author of Nim's favorite adventure novels. Despite her fears, Alex vows to come to Nim's island to help the little girl.
If I were eight years old, I'd have loved with this movie; it's all about girl power and father-daughter love. But I'm not eight, and I found the movie way too precious and utterly boring. Foster had a few cute scenes as the phobic hermit, but seemed wrong for the part, Butler is eye-candy for the ladies but phoned in his performance, and Breslin was looked too old to be Nim, rattling off dialogue that sounded like, well, movie dialogue. She was too perfect, confidant, and capable and lacked the cuteness and sincereity she had in earlier movies ("Signs" and "Little Miss Sunshine"). All three stars spend much of the movie alone on the screen; when they finally unite, the movie just ends, without any bonding.
While the island scenery was lovely, there was a lot of obvious CGI and the movie felt like an over-long cartoon. There is never any doubt that the movie will end happily and the lack of suspense ruined it for me. Highly recommended for kids; adults may find it provides a nice nap.
Heroic Journeys
Review date: 2008-08-12 Rating: 8 out of 10
Nim (Abigail Breslin) lives with her father Jack (Gerard Butler) on an isolated island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. They've lived there since discovering it on one of their around the world cruises after Nim's mother died. Even though they are alone, they aren't lonely. Nim has made friends with several of the island's animals. They have tons of books. Somehow, they have the internet (that's never explained). And every few months a ship comes by and drops off supplies, including the latest Alex Rover novel.
Jack is a marine biologist always on the trail of a new species of microorganism. When he gets a lead, he takes off for two days. Nim insists she stay behind since her sea turtles eggs are about to hatch. Two days turns into longer when a fierce storm comes up and partially destroys his boat.
While Jack's away, Nim gets an e-mail from Alex Rover asking for help in research for the next book. When things begin to go wrong, the upset 11 year old pours out her heart to Alex, asking for help.
What Nim doesn't know is that Alex Rover is really Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster) the author who created the hugely popular character. And Alexandra is afraid of everything and never leaves her apartment. Can Alexandra overcome her fears and come to Nim's rescue?
From the previews, I expected a story set on an island. And part of it was. But the story is as much about Alexandra's journey to the island as it is what is happening on the island. When I realized this, I had to shift my expectations. And I'm glad I did because I enjoyed the movie.
It is filled with the kinds of stuff deserted island fanciers will love. The house that Nim and her dad live in is wonderful. The animals are exceedingly cute and the scenery is beautiful. If it were real, I'd be on the next plane out for a vacation on this island.
As long as we're talking about fantasies, there is a fantasy sequence near the beginning that this reader loved. You'll know it when you see it. I was grinning stupidly the entire time that scene was on.
Ultimately, this movie is about finding the courage to be a hero. It's something that Nim, Jack, and Alexandra must do in various ways. What I like about it is that all three face that need in different ways
But this isn't a preachy film. Instead, it's hidden in a film filled with adventure and laughs. It could have been broad and over the top, but it never falls into that trap. That is partially thanks to the wonderful acting by all involved.
Now I will admit that the movie is a bit far fetched. But while you are watching it, you'll want to believe every second because you are having so much fun.
The one flaw the movie has is the climax. Quite a few things were glossed over in the rush to get there, and it is over much too quickly.
The movie is PG. I'm guessing because it is because of characters in peril. I don't remember any language issues. Frankly, I think this is a movie that kids of all ages will enjoy.
So if you are looking for a family friendly movie, give this one a chance.
Home Alone - Island style
Review date: 2008-06-02 Rating: 8 out of 10
Nim Rusoe: "Nobody invades my island and gets away with it."
Short Attention Span Summary (SASS):
1. No man is an island, but Jack Rusoe (Gerard Butler) finds an island for himself and his daughter Nim (Abigail Breslin)
2. They're not exactly "Lost" but they'd rather no-one knew where they are
3. Plankton hunting on the high seas can be rather dangerous
4. Nim plays "Home Alone" when intruders arrive at the island
5. Animal co-stars do most of the work
6. Alex Rover is an Indiana Jones-type fictional action hero
7. Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster) isn't
8. An exchange of e-mails brings Alex and Nim together, and getting there is more than half the fun
9. Lame and predictable ending
10. Cue U2 track
Foster and Butler tackle easy roles without having to stretch out of their comfort zones, Breslin's as sunshine-y as ever and the animals practically steal the show.
A relatively low budget comedy-fantasy adventure for the whole family, but might be just a little too cutsie-pie for adults to enter the theater without being accompanied by a minor.
Amanda Richards
suspend your disbelief and enjoy this old school adventure
Review date: 2008-05-25 Rating: 6 out of 10
This film has gained plenty of thumbs up from children and parents - and plenty of bad reviews from critics.
So - what's it really like?
This is a good old fashioned adventure story with some 21st century technology thrown in - like the solar panel powered Mac computer Nim and her dad have on their tropical island paradise. The film has enough fun characters to keep children of all ages happy. Jodie Foster turns in a great comic performance as Alex Rover, the agrophobic author of the Alex Rover adventure books. The Alex Rover of the books is a likable guy - with obvious Indiana Jones parallels. The animals that help Nim and her father as the story infolds are a delight too. Nim herself is reasonably played by 11 year old Abigail Breslin.
So why the bad reviews?
I have sat through - perhaps endured is too strong a word. On second thoughts - no it isn't! I have endured enough bad children's films to know a decent one when I see it. Full marks for no syrupy sentimentality or manipulation of young children's emotions here. Full marks for no hit you with a sledgehammer moral of the story either. This is just under 100 minutes of old school adventure and fun.
As long as you suspend your disbelief enough.
This plot has holes in it large enough to steer the Titanic through. I don't mean contradictions - I mean huge gaping holes. Let's by pass the question - how does an Island remain `undiscovered' that is regularly resupplied and is 21st century enough to have Mac computer on it. More disconcerting is the way that plucky little Nim bounds up and down an active volcano several thousand feet high as if it were a pile of rocks at an adventure centre. Biggest question of all (letting pass many others) - would our Dad loving hero really not send out a Mayday call to a real rescue service when her dad fails to show up???
The film ends with everything screaming `Sequel!' And sure enough the author of the book the film is based on has come up with another story for Nim. I'm sure it will be at a cinema near you before too long.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Jodie Foster
Abigail Breslin
Gerard Butler
Creators:
Abigail Breslin (Primary Contributor)
Jodie Foster (Primary Contributor)
Recording label: Universal Pictures UK
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures UK
EAN: 5050582552867
Binding: DVD
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2008-08-25
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)