Review: Return to Nim's Island


Return to Nim’s Island
Review by: Gordana Andjelic-Davila
Return to Nim’s Island is a sequel to the 2008 film Nim’s Island. In the original, Nim (Abigail Beslin), is a girl living on an isolated island with her scientist father (Gerard Butler), and eventually communicates with an agoraphobic author (Jodie Foster) who travels halfway around the globe to help Nim as her island is “invaded” while her father is away, and a fabulous adventure unfolds.
Five years forward, and a teenage Nim still communicates with animals, makes mealworm sandwiches and assists her father in the quest to preserve their island from the outside world. Appropriately, in this film Nim is played by Aussie’s own Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late environmentalist and world-famous “Crocodile Hunter,” Steve Irwin.  
Nim’s scientist father (Matthew Lillard), once again leaves his daughter with her animal friends and travels to Queensland to meet with Government authorities to persuade them to protect the secluded island from developers.
While he is away, a handsome teenage boy (Toby Wallace) finds his way to the island, but unfortunately and unbeknownst to him the boat he chartered to bring him to the remote location is owned by poachers, who see this as the perfect opportunity to ransack the island of its exotic animals.
Thrills and spills ensue, featuring wild animals, cliff climbing (Mindi and Toby performed most of their own stunts) and a message focusing on a collective effort to protect the island and the environment overall is conveyed. 
Though the storyline is slightly thin and predictable, it’s successful in captivating the full attention of its young target audience. The accompanying adults will not be disappointed either, as they will surely enjoy the striking shots of pristine white sandy beaches and crystal clear underwater scenes.
In real life, Bindi has said that Return to Nim’s Island reflects on her own life, and that she is trying to carry on in her dad’s footsteps, to make sure his message never dies; she is definitely sowing conservationist mindset seeds with this film. 
Director: Brendan Maher
Production company: Pictures in Paradise
Duration: 90mins
Main cast: Bindi Irwin, Toby Wallace, Matthew Lillard, John Waters, Nathan Derrick
Rated:  G
Melbourne Release Date:  4 April


The above review was originally published in 3000Melbourne and Essendon Fields News

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