Movie review
Staying out all night and partying with your childhood best friend is a surefire way to savor the fragility of youth.
But a send-off party that turns into a night of being chased by demons on an island steeped in Filipino mythology and racing to escape before you lose your memories forever? That’s the premise the young protagonists of “Forgotten Island” must face, with nothing but their wits, matching charm bracelets and a ragtag band of unlikely friends.
DreamWorks Animation’s “Forgotten Island” hits theaters with lofty expectations — this is the same studio that brought us “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Shrek” and more unforgettable films. But writers and directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the filmmaking team behind “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” live up to those expectations and spin up a heartfelt original story (something all too rare in today’s remake-heavy world) about the power of friendship, set in a visually stunning animated fantasy world.
Filipino American actor Liza Soberano (“Lisa Frankenstein,” “Alone/Together”) and Grammy-winning Filipino American R&B icon H.E.R. star as studious Raissa and carefree Jo, respectively, high school graduates in the Philippines who have been best friends since childhood but are now on the brink of separate life paths.
When Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, they realize all the magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families are, in fact, true.
As they race to find a way off the island before losing their memories, a chaotic journey through beautifully animated landscapes ensues, from bustling island villages to mysterious glowing caves and forests. You learn a lot of lore about the characters and the world itself along the way, but the addition of several unique animation styles within each scene makes for delightful films-within-a-film.
We also meet a stellar supporting cast: Dave Franco plays luckless were-dog Raww, Manny Jacinto voices fearful demon baby Bungi and legendary Filipino singer/actor Lea Salonga equally dazzles and terrifies as The Dreaded Manananggal, a vampiric creature from Filipino folklore with the ability to separate its upper torso from its lower body.
Expertly interwoven into the film’s worldbuilding are Easter eggs that many Filipino Americans will recognize, from karaoke and lechon at family parties to Jo’s prized sneakers and giant spork she uses as a weapon, rather than kitchen décor.
And while Jo and Raissa’s decision-making is overdramatic and questionable at times, really, what teenager on the brink of major life changes isn’t?
The film’s comedic throughline is punctuated by poignant moments of vulnerability as each character grapples with all-too-relatable insecurities, from Jo’s fear of being constantly abandoned by loved ones to Raissa’s aversion to taking risks. You’ll soon find yourself rooting for our protagonists as they make life-changing sacrifices — and realizing alongside them just how powerful a force friendship can be.
In the face of high expectations, “Forgotten Island” delivers an animated spectacle that takes viewers on a decidedly unforgettable adventure with a hearty “Tayo na!” (“Let’s go!”)
