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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 rotten rating)
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So why does Nim’s Island feel so charmless and rote? Perhaps it’s because the film feels like an amalgam of other movies’ plotlines.

Full Review Source: MSNBC | comment Comment
04/02/08
Alonso Duralde
Alonso Duralde
MSNBC

Nim's Island is a pleasant-enough jaunt for a family outing, but it never fully arrives at that 'perfect, secret world.'

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
04/04/08
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle

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

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

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

Despite its welcome emphasis on the heroism of two female characters, 'Nim's Island' is one of the most disappointing and disjointed films so far this year.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
04/06/08
Betty Jo Tucker
Betty Jo Tucker
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

"Nim's Island" is pure, unadulterated, escapist fantasy, the sort of roiling adventure film that kids will love but parents will simply have to endure.

Full Review Source: Colorado Springs Gazette | comment Comment
04/04/08
Brandon Fibbs
Brandon Fibbs
Colorado Springs Gazette

A headache-inducing film that grows more obnoxious as it plays, but the most piercing element of the movie is Foster.

Full Review Source: BrianOrndorf.com | comment Comment
04/04/08
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
BrianOrndorf.com

Racist fantasy is never a good start for a children's film, or any film, for that matter.

Full Review Source: PopMatters | comment 1 Comment
04/04/08
Cynthia Fuchs
Cynthia Fuchs
PopMatters

This supposed adventure movie could use a little more wind in its sails.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
04/03/08
Dezhda Gaubert
Dezhda Gaubert
E! Online

Despite its heart being in the right place, Nim's Island is a strikingly far-fetched and cloying picture that tries way too hard to be alternately juvenile and bittersweet.

Full Review Source: DustinPutman.com | comment Comment
04/03/08
Dustin Putman
Dustin Putman
DustinPutman.com

For adults, a grueling exercise in patience and endurance, especially in watching actors that we know can do better lowering themselves to try to mold themselves into some fictitious kid-friendly formula.

Full Review Source: ComingSoon.net | comment Comment
04/04/08
Edward Douglas
Edward Douglas
ComingSoon.net

I'm not going to quibble too much with a harmless adventure flick meant for tween girls. Then again, I'm not going to knock myself out recommending it, either.

Full Review Source: Film.com | comment Comment
04/04/08
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
Film.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

I'm not sure what's more depressing: seeing potential tween megastar Abigail Breslin underused or watching Jodie Foster clutching a Progresso soup can for dear life and smacking head-first into a tree.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
04/04/08
Evan Henerson
Evan Henerson
Los Angeles Daily News

A children's movie obviously straining to be magical that falls far short of the goal.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
04/04/08
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Jodie Foster isn't the first Oscar winner to be defeated by the deceptively simple demands of slapstick comedy. Only the most recent.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Daily News | comment Comment
04/04/08
Gary Thompson
Gary Thompson
Philadelphia Daily News

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

If Nim’s Island were anything but a children’s movie, the casting genius who suggested Jodie Foster as a potential love interest for Gerard Butler would be looking for a new occupation.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
04/04/08
Jeannette Catsoulis
Jeannette Catsoulis
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

There are some thrilling sequences, but it's equally groan-inducing as well.

Full Review Source: Deseret News, Salt Lake City | comment Comment
04/03/08
Jeff Vice
Jeff Vice
Deseret News, Salt Lake City

Good spirited, [but] rushed and clumsy.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
04/03/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid
 
 
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