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.
Nim's Island (2008)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
Reviews for Nim's Island
There's nothing very suspenseful going on ... but the cast and the story will appeal to both kids and adults.
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.
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]
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.
A more enjoyable saga of girl power than Breslin's highly touted followup vehicle, 'Kit Kittredge.'
The first half is really cute and imaginative. Unfortunately, the second half isn't quite as good.
... the cast and the cute critters make up for the weaker elements and bring home a nice movie for the 5-11 age group.
An energetic but whisper thin south sea adventure that borrows heavily from Home Alone and Jewel of the Nile.
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
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)
I found one vital piece of 'Nim's Island' to be ridiculous and the entirety to be only marginally successful.
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.
Foster/Breslin provide warm/funny moments but the story sinks in the middle
Played for laughs, [Foster's] neurotic tics become repetitious and more abrasive than humorous%u2014such as her addiction to Purell (hello, product placement!).
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.
I haven't felt this embarrassed for a star since Robert DeNiro donned a tutu and did the can-can in Stardust.
It’s a wondrous and warmhearted adventure story with some nifty special effects and some first-rate performances.
Latest News for Nim's Island
August 04, 2008:
RT on DVD: Watch an Exclusive Clip from Starship Troopers: Marauder
Sparred by the triumphant onscreen return of a certain Johnny Rico, we turn our DVD-minded focus to a few stars of yesterday popping up in new DVD releases this week: Casper van... More...
July 13, 2008:
Jodie 'Brave One' Foster is still peeved, though now it's less about what bad people do, than how icky their unsanitary their germs are. And she isn't half bad either doing a divine nitwit dining on worms or playing soccer with a coconut in the wilds. ![]()
More...
June 04, 2008:
UK Box Office Breakdown: Carrie Beats Indy
It was grizzled masculinity versus shopping-obsessed, emotionally-open womanhood at the box office this week -- yep; Indy Jones battled Carrie Bradshaw, with the archeologist... More...
May 07, 2008:
UK Box Office Breakdown: Summer Season Begins With a Bang
Summer box office season began with a bang last Friday, with Iron Man the first of the pumped up, big-budget teen-friendly blockbusters to emerge from the bowels of the... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 86% 86% | A Christmas Tale |
| 60% 60% | Paper Heart |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Nim's Island at Rotten Tomatoes
- Nim's Island at IGN
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

