The animation style simultaneously captures the typical Dreamworks’ characterisation, while also imbuing a more classical comic-book feeling within certain sequences. The style of this seemed almost reminiscent of K-Pop Demon Hunters, and worked beautifully in bringing to light the fantastical elements of Nakali. It will be interesting to see if Dreamworks continues to bring stories to life using this blend of animation styles, unlocking a fun dimension of storytelling to their films.
...The world created in Forgotten Island is unlike anything seen in a Dreamworks release before...
The world of Nakali is, in a word, immense. With a cast of side characters drawing inspiration from Philippine folklore, each character we are introduced to is unique within themselves. From a batibat to a tiyanak, Forgotten Island uses the backdrop of the mythical world of Nakali to bring to screen an intriguing twist on Philippine folklore. The film becomes rich in magic and fantasy, allowing Jo and Raissa - and in turn, the audience - to become entrenched in the stories that formed their friendship. The world created in Forgotten Island is unlike anything seen in a Dreamworks release before, making it a crucial watch if you enjoyed the promise of non-stop excitement and chaos the trailer promises.
Each central character played a crucial role within this film, with a stand-out performance from Dave Franco. Franco plays a were-dog named Raww, with a tendency to morph between almost fully human to ‘full dog mode’ at any moment. Each line is delivered with unparalleled enthusiasm, it is easy to understand why his character is frequently used for comic relief. Alongside this, the performance of H.E.R and Liza Soberano are equally vibrant, successfully bringing to the screen the dynamic of a Type A and a Type B friendship.
...Forgotten Island is ambitious in how much it aims to bring to the story, arguably to a fault...
The only aspect of the film that I found difficult was the pacing. With a 1 hour and 49 minute run time, Forgotten Island is ambitious in how much it aims to bring to the story, arguably to a fault. Jo and Raissa are constantly on the move, eager to get to the next moment in their journey home, and spending little time lingering in the locations that are the most intriguing - both the Kakaiba Market and the home of the Katre. Because of this, the plot felt rushed at times, with a conflict between developing the storyline and exploring Nakali occurring.
Forgotten Island beautifully explores central themes of friendship alongside a backdrop of unique animation and an intricate world. This film is worth the watch, with its full to the brim plot line, soundtracked by an impressive score ranging from Journey’s 'Don’t Stop Believing' to Simple Minds' 'Don’t You Forget About Me'. In a touching moment, the credits sequence features the major cast and crew alongside photos with their best friends, leaving the film on the question - who are you without your best friend?