Forgotten Island REVIEW
"Memories Are Magic"
It's an important concept in Dreamworks latest film that dives deep into Filipino Culture through the life long friendship of two young girls who must find away to keep their friendship alive while the future pulls them apart. The night before one is set to fly to America, the girls find a portal to the mythical land of Nekali and make it a night that one won't forget. Unfortunately that's exactly what happens as the girls attempt to retrieve their memory or be trapped on the island forever, losing the one thing that they hold deep, their friendship.
Forgotten Island is a unique film that contains a little bit of everything. The animation is one that Dreamworks hasn't done to the extent of what they do in this film. It uses a technique of tradition straightforward animation combined with comic strip to showcase the story on the screen. Once the story gets started, it is nonstop action as the girls get deeper in the island and discover the unique inhabitants that all have an intreguing connection to that of the Filipino culture. Furthermore the music is iconic to the clearly 90's feel of the story. It reaches audiencs on so many different levels depending on each ones background.
As far as the cast goes, the film contains some very prominent voices some of which in fact have Filipino ties and all, Filipino or not, that bring a certain respect for the culture. That includes Zootopia's Jenny Slate, Mulan's Lea Solonga, Liza Soberano, Pop Icon HER, and Regretting You's Dave Franco; all of who do an outstanding job of bring the story and culture to life in a unique, powerful way.
Forgotten Island is a Dreamworks film that truly defies all visions and one came certainly hope, awards season will be kind to such a risky film. It's beautiful done and will have audiences laughing and ctrying and remembering that one best friend that you can never forget.
The film comes out this Thursday and will be showing in a theater near you. See it especially if you have a good friend to take with you.