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Movies / On DVD / Nim's Island
Nim's Island

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Nim's Island (2008)

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Reviews Counted:95

Fresh:47

Rotten:48

Average Rating:5.7/10

Consensus: Despite good intentions, Nim's Island flounders under an implausible storyline, simplistic stock characters, and distracting product placement.

Rated: U [See Full Rating] for mild adventure action and brief language.

Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:02-05-2008

Synopsis: Based on the popular children's novel of the same name by Wendy Orr, NIM'S ISLAND follows the adventures of Nim Rusoe (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE's Abigail Breslin), a spirited young girl who lives on a... Based on the popular children's novel of the same name by Wendy Orr, NIM'S ISLAND follows the adventures of Nim Rusoe (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE's Abigail Breslin), a spirited young girl who lives on a remote island with her scientist dad, Jack (300's Gerard Butler), and a host of animal companions, including an iguana, a sea lion, and a sea turtle. Nim's idyllic life gets shaken up, however, when her father goes missing while on an ocean outing. Seeking help to find Jack, Nim contacts her favorite literary hero, explorer Alex Rover (also played by Butler), who, in reality, is uptight--and distinctly unadventurous--author Alexa Rover (Jodie Foster). Against her better judgment, Alexa journeys to Nim's faraway home, setting a series of thrilling and funny moments in motion. Directed and written (in part) by the husband/wife team of Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett, NIM'S ISLAND revels in its fanciful premise, never getting hung up on its unrealistic plot points. (E-mail on an extremely secluded island?) While Breslin and Butler are charming, the real revelation is witnessing the oft-serious Foster ham it up in a role requires plenty of slapstick, fish-out-of-water moments. Although teens might roll their eyes at NIM'S unapologetically sugary scenes, younger children will enjoy the giddy mood present of the ISLAND. [More]

Starring: Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, Abigail Breslin

Starring: Jodie Foster, Gerard Butler, Abigail Breslin

Director: Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin

Director: Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Screenwriter: Paula Mazur, Joseph Kwong, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Producer: Paula Mazur
Composer: Patrick Doyle
Studio: Fox-Walden

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Reviews for Nim's Island

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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The movie gets plain silly, but at least it's lively, and young girls will enjoy Nim's lifestyle in her eco-friendly and frolic-packed tropical paradise.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
05/02/08
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There's nothing very suspenseful going on ... but the cast and the story will appeal to both kids and adults.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
04/20/08
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

Foster proves adept at broad physical comedy, the animated sequences charm, and codirectors Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett send up the make-believe Rover with panache.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
12/17/08
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader

Overplayed: there are entirely too many beaming smiles and emotional flip-outs...the only reason to see this movie is Foster, whose overplaying somehow succeeds at charming where her costars fail. [Blu-Ray]

Full Review Source: Groucho Reviews | comment Comment
08/11/08
Peter Canavese
Peter Canavese
Groucho Reviews

If you have a child, Nim's Island is the kind of film you won't be sorry you shared with him or especially her, and if you don't have a youngster, you'll wish you did.

Full Review Source: Spectrum (St. George, Utah) | comment Comment
07/19/08
Bruce Bennett
Bruce Bennett
Spectrum (St. George, Utah)

A more enjoyable saga of girl power than Breslin's highly touted followup vehicle, 'Kit Kittredge.'

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
07/11/08
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

The first half is really cute and imaginative. Unfortunately, the second half isn't quite as good.

Full Review Source: Sin Magazine | comment Comment
06/08/08
Austin Kennedy
Austin Kennedy
Sin Magazine

... the cast and the cute critters make up for the weaker elements and bring home a nice movie for the 5-11 age group.

Full Review Source: Atlantic City Weekly | comment Comment
06/05/08
Lori Hoffman
Lori Hoffman
Atlantic City Weekly

An energetic but whisper thin south sea adventure that borrows heavily from Home Alone and Jewel of the Nile.

Full Review Source: Windy City Times | comment Comment
05/22/08
Richard Knight
Richard Knight
Windy City Times

for all the curiosity of seeing Foster in a rare comic rôle, her neurotic, tic-afflicted, accident-prone Alexandra annoys more than she engages, which is a problem for a character who contributes so little to the actual plot apart from diversion

Full Review Source: Eye for Film | comment Comment
05/01/08
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Eye for Film

here is in fact no actual villain or conflict or tension or fun, and let's face it: we all know Jack will make it back safe and sound (sorry kids, but Wendy Or doesn't have JK Rowling's narrative cahoonas)

Full Review Source: Peterborough This Week | comment Comment
04/15/08
Mike Sage
Mike Sage
Peterborough This Week

I found one vital piece of 'Nim's Island' to be ridiculous and the entirety to be only marginally successful.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
04/12/08
John P. McCarthy
John P. McCarthy
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

...the promised adventure never quite materializes.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
04/11/08
Jim Lane
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

If your kids have been totally weaned on ADD-addled animated flicks that mostly coast on crude humor and instantly dated pop culture references, then this clearly isn't the film for them.

Full Review Source: Creative Loafing | comment Comment
04/10/08
Matt Brunson
Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing

Strictly for kids.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment 1 Comment
04/09/08
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Foster/Breslin provide warm/funny moments but the story sinks in the middle

Full Review Source: jackiekcooper.com | comment Comment
04/08/08
Jackie K. Cooper
Jackie K. Cooper
jackiekcooper.com

Played for laughs, [Foster's] neurotic tics become repetitious and more abrasive than humorous%u2014such as her addiction to Purell (hello, product placement!).

Full Review Source: Film-Forward.com | comment Comment
04/08/08
Kent Turner
Kent Turner
Film-Forward.com

Plenty of things happen that adults will have to overlook and forget any reasoning because this is a movie aimed at kids, and on that point it delivers.

Full Review Source: ReviewExpress.com | comment Comment
04/08/08
Diana Saenger
Diana Saenger
ReviewExpress.com

I haven't felt this embarrassed for a star since Robert DeNiro donned a tutu and did the can-can in Stardust.

Full Review Source: KPBS.org | comment Comment
04/07/08
Beth Accomando
Beth Accomando
KPBS.org

It’s a wondrous and warmhearted adventure story with some nifty special effects and some first-rate performances.

Full Review Source: Ebert & Roeper | comment 3 Comments
04/07/08
Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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