Nim's Island (2008)

Director: Mark Levin

Cast: Abigail Breslin as Nim Rusoe, Jodie Foster as Alexandra Rover, Gerard Butler as Jack Rusoe / Alex Rover, Michael Carman as Captain, Mark Brady as Purser, Anthony Simcoe as First Mate, Christopher Baker as Ensign, Peter Callan as Edmund's Father, Rhonda Doyle as Edmund's Mother, Russell Butler as Old Fisherman, Colin Gibson as Cruise Director, Bryan Probets as Australian Tourist #1, Andrew Nason as Australian Tourist #2, Dorothy Thorsen as Blue-Haired Woman, Penny Everingham as Older Woman Tourist

Nim's Island is a tale about a young girl named Nim (imagine that) who
lives with her single father on a remote island in the middle of the
South Pacific. Because she has no friends or neighbors, she spends her
time playing with animals and indulging in the fantastic fantasies of
her Alex Rover adventure novels. The stories of the Alex Rover novels
are assumedly based on the adventures of the author, Alexandra Rover.
The reality is that Alexandra is an introvert hermit who spends her
days writing her stories in her San Francisco apartment and talking
aloud to the imaginary Alex Rover character. Alexandra and Nim come
into contact through email and Nim reveals that her father, who is a
scientist, is lost at sea. After much debating, Alexandra gets up
enough courage to finally leave her apartment and travel to visit Nim.
Once on the island, the girls quickly develop a special bond. With the
help of the imaginary story hero Alex Rover, they step into a world of
fun and adventure where the line separating fantasy and real life
vanishes and dreams become realities (I know that last line was really
corny, but whatever).

The predominant aspect that enticed me to see the film was the awesome
cast. You have academy award winner Jodie Foster as Alexandra Rover,
Abegail Breslin—who you may remember from Little Miss Sunshine—playing
Nim, and the star of 300, Gerard Butler playing dual roles as the
father and as the imaginary Alex Rover. And yes, ladies, he does have
his shirt off in this film.

Despite the big names, the cast seemed to lack the necessary chemistry.
I thought Butler did an awesome job with both of his roles, but his
relationship with his daughter is far from believable. And Jodie
Foster, who happens to be one of my favorite actresses, just seems
really out of place in this film. Kind of like Subway's Jared eating at
Quiznos. Breslin was fine as Nim, but she spends half the movie talking
to lizards and a giant seal. That might seem cute to some viewers, but
in my opinion she probably needs a psychiatrist, or possibly an
exorcist. I would also like to add that someone needs to teach that
girl proper running form. Many scenes feature Nim running through the
woods or down the beach and every time I watched her run I just started
to laugh. With her arms flailing about she looked like Pinocchio
running around high on amphetamines or something.

I did really enjoy all the fantasy elements of the film, but I think a
movie that mixes fantasy with reality works best when the fantasy
aspects provide a sharp contrast to reality. In Nim's Island, the
normal lives they live are unrealistic which causes the fantasy
elements to lose their effect. I mean, who in the right mind moves to a
remote island with a ten year old? And how in the world did they get
wireless internet service? I can't even get service in my own basement,
and they have perfect connection on an island in the middle of no
where.

Maybe my expectations are too high. Maybe I am too old to appreciate a
children's film. Nim's Island is, after all, a kid's movie in the
purest sense. There are plenty of corny jokes, cute animals, and
moments that will probably touch your soul, unless of course you are
Satan. I had high hopes for this film because I honestly enjoy quite a
few kids' movies. Who here doesn't like Hook? Or The Sandlot? Or Angels
in the Outfield? Nim's Island, unfortunately, did not measure up. Sure
I laughed a few times and smiled innocently at some of the scenes, but
about half way through the movie I…well…to be perfectly honest, I fell
sound asleep. I think I dreamt about unicorns, but I don't really
remember.