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

Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Theatrical Release:Apr 4, 2008 Wide

Box Office: $47,912,652

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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Release:

Aug 5, 2008

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Reviews for Nim's Island

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
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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

Even as the derivative roots of "Nim's Island" are clearly visible, kids will no doubt vicariously enjoy Nim's adventures and Edenic existence.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
04/03/08
Ann Hornaday
Ann Hornaday
Washington Post

Book-based tropical adventure is good family fun.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
04/04/08
Betsy Bozdech
Betsy Bozdech
Common Sense Media

Nim's Island is all too insular, lost in its own unique universe somewhere between Swiss Family Robinson and Joe vs. the Volcano.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment Comment
04/04/08
Bill Gibron
Bill Gibron
PopMatters

Nim's Island is an old-fashioned kids' movie. Parents might find flaws, but the 12-and-younger set will find characters and a movie worth rooting for.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
04/03/08
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic

More intimately scaled than a lot of other recent children's book adaptations, the sweet-natured and light-hearted Nim's Island nonetheless achieves a nice hold over its audience.

Full Review Source: ReelzChannel.com | comment Comment
04/04/08
Brent Simon
Brent Simon
ReelzChannel.com

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)

Directed by Jennifer Flackett and Mark Levin, and adapted from a novel by Wendy Orr, Nim's Island offers a nice message for kids and grown-ups: Be the hero of your own story, whether confronting a volcano or 'borderline agoraphobia.'

Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee | comment Comment
04/04/08
Carla Meyer
Carla Meyer
Sacramento Bee

Keep your shirts on, ladies. You don't need to rent a child to see this mildly diverting, if middling, adventure.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
04/03/08
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This Island is surrounded by warmth, suspense and good humor.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
04/04/08
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Jodie Foster returns to her kiddie film roots with the warm and whimsical Nim's Island

Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
04/04/08
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
Washington Times

Nim's Island is a movie for kids who like to think and read and use their imagination, and for parents who may be tired of family fare that's nothing but a litany of cutesy pop-culture references.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
04/03/08
Christy Lemire
Christy Lemire
Associated Press
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Nim's Island is a win-win proposition: an entertaining, diverting adventure saga that offers excitement and a relatable heroine for children, and also will remind their parents of favorite classics from their own youth.

Full Review Source: USA Today | comment Comment
04/04/08
Claudia Puig
Claudia Puig
USA Today

Based on Wendy Orr's youthful feminized spin on Robinson Crusoe, "Nim's Island" is a low-key adventure comedy for preteens that will touch the hearts of their gooey-eyed parents.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
04/05/08
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

Tweens, and particularly tween girls, will have a fine time cheering on the ever-resourceful Nim...

Full Review Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette | comment Comment
04/04/08
Daniel M. Kimmel
Daniel M. Kimmel
Worcester Telegram & Gazette

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

Walden's family fantasy is an agreeable (but no more) digital-age version of the old classic novel.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
04/03/08
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Nim's Island starts out with a dead mother, so it's already got the makings of a family film classic.

Full Review Source: Can Magazine | comment Comment
04/04/08
Fred Topel
Fred Topel
Can Magazine

A scrappy and imaginative tale about a resourceful 11-year-old girl who learns how to become the hero in the story of her own life.

Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice | comment Comment
04/04/08
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice

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)
 
 
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