by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
With the expansion of AI, and its adoption of the popular Disney-like computer animation design, the desire for something new and original in this space is not just wanted but needed. In a world where everything looks so similar, originality is where curiosity is peaked, and souls are lifted.
And so, with that comes DreamWorks’ newest entry into their zany collection of titles. In Forgotten Island, two life-long best friends, Raissa (Liza Soberano) and Jo (H.E.R) find themselves stranded on a mystical island straight from Filipino mythology. While all seems fun, colorful, and made of their dreams, they soon find out that the only way home might cost them the very memories that make them, and their friendship, who they are.
That is where the heart of this film really lies, in the relationship between the two leads. Taking a leaf out of the classic storybook chapter, it starts with them meeting as children, wherein the audience is then led through a years-long saga that many would be able to relate to, or at least feel touched by the soul-mate level connection felt between the two characters. This is a film that will leave audiences grasping for their childhood friend or searching their hearts for that one person that makes their life sing a little more with each moment shared. It’s a love letter to those that allow their counterpart to be wholly themselves, even if it makes no sense, and gives permission to the audience to shed the expectation of others.
Like many animated films beforehand, it’s all a big metaphor for growing up, and moving on, even if it means leaving someone important behind. However, while this film homages previous classics – yes, there’s definitely a tinge of The Hangover and Eternal Sunshine present here – it chooses to go bold, bright, and bodacious with its animation style, and basis in myth.
On the topic, while there has been plenty of mythological presence in entertainment as of late, particularly of the Greek variety, this instead focuses on that from the Philippines. Using their mutual love of mythology as one of the protagonists’ connection points, the film uses the initial illustration of their fledgling friendship as an opportunity to educate audiences about the in’s-and-outs of their culture as well. What results is an otherwise simple, and some might say, tired storyline being given new life.
In fact, its reinvention of what’s older is only enhanced by the story being set in the 90’s. Packed with retro tech, classic music, and characters designed in a fashion that harkens back to the animated films of yore, the directors, Joel Crawford and, Januel P. Mercado, certainly knew what they were doing, particularly when it comes to engaging a nostalgic millennial audience. It’s all just one perfectly manufactured piece of borderline traumatizing emotion for 90s kids. This is especially true for those who wish they could escape the brutal nature of modern living and go back to a time when their friends were everything and now have their memories as their most precious form of magic.
It also does well in creating a wacky cast of side characters, who act as a mystical found family for our two leads. From a big baby voiced by Manny Jacinto, a conceited merman, voiced by Kevin McCann, and of course a dog boy, voiced by none other than Dave Franco, each new addition has enough heart to spark feelings in even the most sullen of viewers. In fact, going back to our two protagonists, what this story really manages to do well is showcase a friendship between characters who actually feel like they belong together. Neither of them are particularly grating, nor seem like they’re looking forward to the other’s downfall. There’s a genuine love illustrated through their affection, and it only enhances the overall experience.
At once wholly original, and yet also incredibly contrived, Forgotten Island manages to stay mostly in an audience’s good graces through its purity of heart. The story isn’t the most complex, or fresh exploration of maturity, friendship, and leaving loved ones behind. However, it is choosing to look at it in a new enough way, that their intended audience is sure to be entertained for its runtime, walking away with a grin on their face, and a tear in their eye.
Rating: Liked It
Forgotten Island is currently in theaters.
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