Nim's Island (2008): A Movie Review

Nim's Island is a family adventure starring Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster, and Gerard Butler. Abigail Breslin plays Nim, the animal loving daughter of Jack (Gerard Butler). Jack is a scientist living on a deserted island with Nim. Jodie Foster plays Alexandra Rover, the author of a popular action adventure series that Nim loves. Alex Rover is the title character of the series of books by Jodie's character. Alex Rover appears as a figment of Alexandra's imagination throughout the movie and is also played by Gerard Butler. Warning: my movie review contains plot spoilers.

Nim's Island is a wonderful family movie for viewers of all ages. I, with no kids and being in my 30's, loved it. The movie kept me entertained throughout. As a side note though, the funniest part for me is during the credits, my friend got the funniest look on his face. He exclaimed that Alex Rover was Jodie Foster. I was like yeah so and he said he kept thinking during the movie that that actress really looked like Jodie Foster but he didn't think it was her since he has only seen her in drama movies. We both thought Jodie Foster did an excellent job as Alexandra Rover, a neurotic writer obsessed with hand sanitizer and soup.

The movie is kind of like two movies in one. It goes back and forth between Nim's adventures on the island and Alex's struggle to get to the island. Nim's father goes off on his boat on a two day trip to find some sea life. He wants Nim to come along but she talks him into letting her stay by herself since her favorite sea turtle's eggs are about to hatch. Jack gets caught in a storm which disables his boat and leaves him stranded in the middle of the ocean. Nim meanwhile is enjoying the island and starts communicating with Alex via email. Nim gets hurt and is worried about her dad and so she asks Alex to come save her. Nim thinks Alexandra is the fictional male hero of her books. With lots of prodding by her fictional Alex character, Alexandra decides to make her way to the island to save Nim. The reason this is such a big deal to Alexandra is because she is vastly afraid of the outdoors, which is quite the contrast from the hero she writes about. Throughout the movie, people are shocked that Alexandra is not the dashing hero like her books. Lesson learned here; do not name your action hero the same as your name.

Jodie Foster did an excellent job. Actually so did Abigail Breslin and Gerard Butler. All three worked well together. I can't think of one thing I didn't like about the movie. Maybe the shark scene because I have an insane fear of sharks created by the modern media. I recommend Nim's Island to everyone and I give it 5 out of 5 stars.