Purely Joyful Movie!

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Good idea lost in the noise

Released in 2008, "Nim's Island" stars Abigail Breslin as the 11 year-old title character who's alone on a remote pacific island while her Dad (Gerard Butler) is late coming back from an expedition. Nim emails a reclusive popular adventure writer (Jodi Foster) in San Francisco for help.I'm a sucker for island movies and this one's quite good but, for me, it's hindered by its "children's adventure/fantasy" approach. I'm talking about the Disney-esque animal shenanigans. Apart from that, however, everything clicks for a fun island adventure. While kid-oriented, there's enough here for adults to enjoy, particularly for those who are in tune with their inner-kid. It was a modest hit when released.The movie runs 96 minutes and was shot in Australia.GRADE: Borderline B or B- (6.5/10 Stars)

Nim (Abigail Breslin) lives with her scientist father Jack (Gerard Butler) on an isolated (apart from satellite telecommunications) tropical island. She gets great enjoyment from, and enjoys an email correspondence with, Alex Rover, the author (and protagonist) of a series of adventure novels. She does not know that Alex is actually a klutzy and agoraphobic woman (Jodie Foster), and the books are entirely fictional. Jack, away for several days doing boat-based research, goes missing during a storm and Nim, faced with an invasion of buccaneers (aka Australian tourists) contacts Alex to ask for help.Let me say that youngsters will probably enjoy this more than I did. I didn't dislike it, but I was very aware of its flaws. The main one is that the three central stories - Nim on her own vs, the invaders, Jack's efforts to save his own life and get back to Nim after his boat is damaged during the storm, and Alex's efforts to overcome her agoraphobia and make the complex journey to get to Nim's remote island - spend much of the movie away from each other: there is no interaction between the three main cast members for a big chunk of the movie. Also, the movie embraces realism (Jack's survival efforts) and whimsy (the animal sidekicks) equally, as a result of which the film suffers from an unevenness of credibility.And, given that Alex's mental view of her own creation is portrayed by Gerard Butler (well before she meets real-life Jack), we are led to belief that a romance will ensue. Well, maybe it will but, if so, it hasn't started by the time the film ends.Breslin is great, Butler is satisfactory, and Foster appears uncomfortable: I don't think comedy, especially physical, comes easily to her.

i love adventure films and this is the best if you lover adventure then you will love this. i can't find anything bad about it. the girl star was fantastic and sweet + cute and pretty. i am sure children will love it i am really glad that i had time to watch a classic film nice one i take my hat off when she was sad i found it sad too but the dad returned and a great happy ending.the island looked amazing. i am sure children will love it and i am really glad that i had time to watch a classic film nice one i take my hat off when she was sad i found it sad too but the dad returned and a great happy ending.the island looked amazing.I had a great time watching it. adventure all the way through really super. she has a true gift for acting she did a really great job. i was amazed by what she could do wow! i would watch it again and never get board. if your alone there is always a true friend by your side. i have always wanted to watch a fantastic adventure film and now i have which is so amazing.

Forget the bad comments, this movie is simply awesome, according to me. Fascinating, and keeps you hooked, and absolutely no violence. Great family movie, and great acting by Nim and Alexandra. Wonderful cinematography and cool locations. Just watch it. I always love movies with islands and lots of ocean stuff. The story is well planned, and the locations are very very cool.This movie is worth watching for those people who love island and water movies. The kid Nim captures the audience attention, and Jodie Foster makes a wonderful performance.Over and all, a great family movie.