Forgotten Island Movie Review

“Forgotten Island” is a colorful, and very active, animated movie that stresses friendship and adventure. Two teenage girls, just out of high school, find their way to a mysterious, magical island. But as they make many new close friends, their own friendship is tested.

Over in the Philippines, the two friends are young kids in school. They meet and become Best Friends Forever. Jo lives with her grandmother, Lola Fatima (voiced by Dolly de Leon). Raissa lives with her parents, and she is destined to get into a fine college in America.

Lola tells the young girlfriends about a magical place. It is an island called Nakali. She has been there, and it is marvelous. But the longer you stay, the more you forget about home. So, be on lookout for a special glowing sand dollar. This is the only the Island of Nakali can connect to you.

Lola passes away, and her stories of Nakali have motivated these girls even more. They are out of high school, so there is much more time to search for the sand dollar. Jo (voiced by H.E.R.) wants to spend more time at the beach, combing through the shoreline. She wants to see that Island like you wouldn’t believe. But “Don’t Stop Belivin'” — as grandmother Lola would say!

Raissa (voiced by Liza Soberano) has some bad news for Jo. Her parents are sending her to Cal Tech, in America. And her plane is leaving tomorrow evening. But there is just one more night to party on the beach, and look for that silly sand dollar. But when a magical sand dollar shows up — Jo and Raissa are swept away in a grand adventure.

When they wake up the next day, it is not in the Philippines. They are on a fantastical beach, and they are on the Island of Nakali. The figure out that many hours have passed. But they don’t remember anything. They find a wolf-like creature; part dog, part boy, part wolf.

This is Raww (voiced by Dave Franco), and he remembers everything that they did the night before. Jo and Raissa have matching friendship bracelets, and these have all the trinkets that they recall from childhood. But Jo is missing her Polaroid camera. And Raissa is missing a big chunk of her hair…

Raissa also has something new. It is a set of dragon type wings, but they are attached by big claws to her shoulders. Raww explains that is not good news. You see, last night Jo and Raissa snuck up on a creature named Manang (voiced by Lea Salonga). This is the Dreaded Manananggal and she is the most feared creature in this magical realm.

Raww tells them about his friend, named Batiba (voiced by Jenny Slate). She is a Batibat, sort-of a memory demon. Jo and Raissa have doubts on seeing a demon. But Raww explains that she has a lot good magic that can help them. Batiba turns out to be pretty nice, but afraid to leave her cave.

Batiba can help, if they exchange something that is personal memory. Give up something along the lines of the friendship bracelets. But neither of them is willing to give up something so personal. So, maybe find something else instead. Batiba agrees and Raww takes the girls to a local village.

They are a mission now, to find the sand dollar and to give these wings back to the evil Manang. They have some other friends that could help. These include Bungi (voiced by Manny Jacinto), along with Datu (voiced by Jo Koy), and the handsome Prince Mermahn (voiced by Kevin McCann).

Bungi is a Tiyanak – a Budda-sized blue guy with three eyes. Datu is a Kapre, and he is along for the ride. Prince Mermahn is one of the Kataw people, mere-people who live in the ocean. But there is another, most adorable, tiny plump people led by the King Truffle Wuffle (voiced by Ronny Chieng). He is the King of the Duwende people.

During the past night, Jo was way too sloppy and burned the King’s britches. Now these Duwende people are up in arms against Jo and Raissa and all her friends. But before the Duwende can take revenge, they all meet up with Manang.

She is never very nice and she is always out to destroy somebody. But she has a special hatred for Raissa. Dreaded Manananggal wants her wings back. Jo and Raissa realize that the special sand dollar is also missing. That is the only thing they can use to get back into their real world.

Maybe the evil Manang has taken it, and she will refuse to ever give it back. Raissa think she might be stuck here on Nakali forever. But she has plans to go to collage in America. If Raissa can give back these wings to Manang, maybe she can get back home.

Jo gets back into the cave to talk to Batiba. She might not be as helpful as first let on. If one of the girls will give up their friendship bracelet, Batiba will see to it that the other girl will get home safely. But Jo and Raissa should not fight over it. They finally see that together, they both have a special power that can get them home.

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“Forgotten Island” is a very visual movie. It uses so much action and flair on the screen that sometimes the characters seem to take a second seat. But the Writers/Directors (Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado) have given so much thought to how the Philippine culture is portrayed on the screen, it simply is amazing. It is joyful eruption of a volcano full of non-stop action and color.

The voice acting is another reason why this movie clicks. The emotion and emphasis that all of the folks put into each character is superb. After making a name as a singer and musician, H.E.R. gives the character Jo some spunky fun. Liza Soberano does the same with role of Raissa. Many others also contribute to the fun

The animation styles are wild, but always appropriate. The vibe of the movie matches the angst of a teenager with a few too many energy drinks. The vivid colors used and the crazy action are sure to entertain children. Especially if the kids are slightly hyper-active!

“Forgotten Island” is able to create a special mystical place where friendship rules and vibrant action is par for the course. Its magical nature will not soon be “Forgotten”.