Expected more

Disturbing yet enthralling

A Masterpiece!

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

With the premise that the film would not see a second time, I recognize that I liked. On TV there is a well cared-for script: in the sense that, the details that would have weakened interest of the film, was meticulously written. Obviously the story taken from a novel by Wendy Orr: in the context is something unreal, that to get a follow-up and a final in harmony with the three main protagonists. The plot of the film could have been a tragedy. A shipwreck that would have to pass the rest of the life of a father and his daughter as a hermit. [...] However, as it happens in novels, the scientist and his daughter in a surreal way and electronically they have contact of a volcanoes-writer. So they can be saved, and find a new family love.

I don't why this has been so negatively reviewed. I really enjoyed it and I have quite strict standards. Maybe it's because I care so much about the topic - wildlife conservation and adventure. While it obviously lacks the class and sophistication of other films which I have rated an 8, it's raw enjoyability grants it rarely given special bonus in my eyes. Crappy films get a 6, and this was not crappy, it was great fun. It probably scores highly to me as it's my fantasy to live in such a beautiful wild place with so many amazing animals and plants and fighting for their survival. It was just very stimulating and refreshingly devoid of violence (being a kids film, though I'm 25). It kept me entertained all the way through.

My Take: A family-friendly adventure that starts to falter midway and on.NIM'S ISLAND started out so well; I really thought I was in for a real treat. In the midst of family movies that try to hard to throw in a lot of potty humor and slapsticks, here's a family movie that will enthrall the kids and constantly remind adults of that sense of adventure. Here's a story of a little girl (Abigail Breslin, a long way from the "Little Miss Sunshine" pageant) who lives with her dad on an uncharted island, makes friends with its inhabitant animals, and go into all sorts of adventure with her caring yet similarly adventurous father (and for the ladies, her father happens to be Gerard Butler).NIM'S ISLAND is like a hybrid of SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON, KITT KITTREDGE (because of Breslin's spunk) and HOME ALONE. Breslin's Nim also loves to read adventure novels, namely those starring her favorite hero Alex Rover (his Indy Jones-like imaginary representation also played by Butler). But when her father goes away and is left alone in the island to defend it from nosy tourists who want to make it a resort. Desperate for help, Nim seeks help from Alex Rover, thinking her dashing hero would arrive and turn her life around and save the island. But actually, her Alex Rover is actually Alexandra Rover (Jodie Foster), a writer from San Francisco who's even afraid to go outside her own house. But when HOME ALONE half of the story takes over, with Nim saving the island from tourist by catapulting lizards and faking a volcano eruption, the magic sadly isn't there anymore. In place of it are some of the usual: silly slapsticks and some tacky special effects.What was promised in the first half of NIM'S ISLAND was really something; a family movie that could have been a real treat for everyone. There should be more scenes with Nim's father. There should be more scenes where Nim discovers that her Alex Rover, the adventurer, is actually Alexandra, a writer lacking every spunk of the adventurer she writes about. Instead, most of that is pushed to the end to accommodate more scenes of Foster having some trouble with the locals (it starts out curiously funny, but slowly tired and one-note). The HOME ALONE-like slapsticks were gratuitous and whatever creativity was set up during the first act is just gone. Although the first half has its charms, Breslin gives an appealing and spunky performance and the island itself is gorgeous; at least the titular island itself is worth visiting numerous times. Rent it or wait for it on TV; it might make a lasting baby-sitter for the younger set. Rating: **1/2 out of 5.

Forget the bad comments, this movie is simply awesome, according to me. Fascinating, and keeps you hooked, and absolutely no violence. Great family movie, and great acting by Nim and Alexandra. Wonderful cinematography and cool locations. Just watch it. I always love movies with islands and lots of ocean stuff. The story is well planned, and the locations are very very cool.This movie is worth watching for those people who love island and water movies. The kid Nim captures the audience attention, and Jodie Foster makes a wonderful performance.Over and all, a great family movie.