MovieChat Forums > Nim's Island (2008) Discussion > I think it was missing that *wow!* facto...

I think it was missing that wow! factor... (spoilers)

posted 17 years ago by JoLeigh33
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I mean the movie was good, it had some funny bits (most were from the trailer), I felt like I was missing something. I dunno... I think I would've like it better if I saw Nim and Alexandra working together more... bonding perhaps... to chase the tourists off the island. There was so much distance between the characters in this movie... Jack's out in the ocean, Nim's on the island, and Alexandra and her imaginary friend are on an adventure... the "Be the hero of your own story" is only lightly mentioned right before Alexandra leaves her house and then at the end of the movie.

oh yeah, and question... what happened to the volcano... I thought it was going to erupt?

I was hoping it would exceed my expectations, a movie I'd be willing to pay extra money to see again in the theaters, but I really didn't leave the movie with a "wow that was amazing" type feeling... this one I might rent the DVD... but only if there are bloopers...

"And, if I may add one more thing: Detective, you *astound* me... "

[–] chrisbedford 17 years ago

Like you say, somewhat cardboard characters, each in his/her own little world. I realised though, fairly early on, that this is not really a "family" movie (like, for instance, The Incredibles is) in the sense that it is kiddie entertainment that has lots of adult humour to keep the moms & dads entertained.

No, this is purely a kiddie movie, written so that any average eight-year-old can understand it with no running explanations from Mom, and not really scary enough to warrant Mom sitting hand-holding. I would be quite happy to leave my 7-year old niece watching this alone.

The characters explain practically everything to themselves and to each other, they carefully over-act all the emotions so that even a pretty dull 8-yr-old would get it, and they even read all those pesky computer screen words out loud for you.

The important plot points (talking lizard, intelligent bird that fetches a tool belt, Dad's reconstruction of a raft at sea from nothing) are the kind of fantasy that exist only in kiddies' story books, the technical details (power supply for the house at night, construction of the house by one scientist & his 4 year old daughter) - and the less savoury details (ablutions, washing, cooking, washing up) - are not even glossed over, they are ignored.

A fairly harmless way to spend an otherwise idle Sunday afternoon. Not much else.

I think it was missing that *wow!* factor... (spoilers)

I think it was missing that wow! factor... (spoilers)