Nim's Island

By Matthew Rodgers

Walden Media are beginning to corner the market with solid family friendly fantasy fare such as The Chronicles of Narnia and the exemplary Bridge to Terabithia. Both are films that appeal to a broader demographic than the intended ankle biters, so it’s a shame that their latest foray into the offshore territory of Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin’s Nim’s Island is a crushing disappointment by comparison.

Nim (Abigail Breslin – Little Miss Sunshine) has, shall we say a strange life. Living on a deserted island with her father Jack (Gerard Butler - 300), hers is an existence built on imagination, her best friends are the menagerie of animals – the standout turn coming from the bongo playing comedy lizard – and she dreams of a life like her literary adventuring hero, Alex Rover. When her father goes missing at sea circumstances contrive to put her in touch with the author of said novels, Alexandra (Jodie Foster), a hypochondriac agoraphobic who remains her only hope.

Sound a bit complicated for a kid’s film? It’s acceptable to want to stimulate the mind of a child but the constant switching between fantasy/reality and island/real world during the films opening third is entirely off-putting. Nim’s Island cannot establish a tone and as it shifts uncomfortably so will countless adults and children alike.

Not being the sum of its parts however doesn’t detract from some well-intentioned ideas. The 2-D puppet theatre style opening is inspired in setting the scene and the sections of island life are reminiscent of some of the best early Disney live action classics a la Swiss Family Robinson, before sadly giving way to a unimaginative, slapdash Home Alone in the jungle vibe.

Breslin continues to be captivating even in sub-standard roles and her Indiana Jones Jnr will make her the envy of young girls everywhere. Those that should know better do not get off as lightly; Butler follows up his vapid P.S. I Love You turn with another irritating performance and as for Academy Award winner Foster, its mostly embarrassing with hints of the slapstick success she managed in Maverick to ease the pain.

Set aside the “in your face” environmental message du jour and you are left with a floundering fable of unoriginality that will struggle to oust the Spiderwicks and Potter’s of this world from every kids DVD wish list.