by Nautica Mourey

Created on: April 29, 2008

Move over Macaulay Culkin, Nim's Island is the better version of Home Alone! A daring adventure with sharks, bucaneers, volcanos, and flying lizards. When you are not laughing, you are definitely on the edge of your seat with this movie.

A riveting children's book turned film, Nim's Island is a film that the whole family will enjoy, well, except for maybe dad; unless he is a science buff. I found this film to be really nothing more than an island twist of Home Alone, but in a heartwarming way.

Nim, played by Abigail Breslin, is an eleven year old girl that lives with Jack, her father, and a handful of animal friends on a remote island. Nim has lived on the island since she was a toddler, and has probably lived in books and stories since she could read.

Nim's father, a scientist researching plankton and protozoa, heads off on a journey to find his next great discovery, Protozoa Nim. Nim stays behind on the island to help her sea turtle friend's babies hatch and a two day scientific excursion turns into a four day adventure for both Nim and Jack. This father/daughter modern science team prove that they cannot go it alone. With the help of Nim's animal friends they conquer all.

Nim buries herself in her favorite book series, Alex Rover, played by Gerard Butler, for the first day of her father's departure and her imagination runs wild as we see scenes from Alex Rover's adventures right at Nim's bed post. When Nim settles in to forward her father's email she stumbles upon an email from Alex Rover. In her excitement she quickly answers the letter and continues correspondance with who she thinks is the male "Indiana Jones like" character from her books. It turns out that not only is Alex Rover fictional in her books, he is also a fictional dellusion in novelist Alexandra Rover's books.

Alexandra Rover, played by Jodie Foster, is an agoraphobic novelist who portrays her sense of adventure only through Alex Rover in his daring adventures in print. When she finds through correspondance with Nim that she is in trouble, she battles her fear and comes to Nim's rescue.

A happily ever after tale that is definitely one of the must-sees for the season.

Learn more about this author, Nautica Mourey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.