Forgotten Island – Movie Review
DreamWorks Animation has spent much of the last decade searching for its identity. While the studio once built its reputation on films like Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon, recent years have seen a heavier focus on younger audiences through franchises such as Trolls and The Boss Baby. There’s been glimmers of the studio we used to know with Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Wild Robot and thankfully, Forgotten Island is another return to the studio’s strengths: ambitious animation, genuine emotional depth and storytelling that appeals to more than just children. Directed by the creative team behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Forgotten Island blends Filipino mythology with a coming-of-age friendship story that feels like a collision between Moana, Turning Red, Spirited Away and KPop Demon Hunters. The result is one of DreamWorks’ most engaging and emotional films in years.
Set in the Philippines during the 1990s, the story follows lifelong best friends Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), who fuelled by stories from grandma Lola (Dolly de Leon) share a childhood fascination with the monsters and myths of the legendary island of Nakali. However, when Raissa announces plans to move to the United States for college, the pair face the prospect of growing apart. But on their final night together, a magic portal transports them into the mythical world they have spent years dreaming about, where monsters, spirits and magical creatures lurk around every corner.
Beneath its fantasy adventure framework, Forgotten Island is ultimately a story about friendship and change. Jo and Raissa share an engaging dynamic, with their contrasting personalities creating plenty of humour while also grounding the film’s emotional core. Their relationship captures a familiar reality for many young adults: the challenge of holding onto important friendships while navigating new seasons of life.
The film’s greatest asset is undoubtedly its animation. Nakali is a stunning creation, brought to life through a hyper-stylised visual approach that draws inspiration from anime, classic 2D animation and the recent wave of visually experimental Western animation. Every frame bursts with colour, energy and imagination. The influence of films from Sony like the Spider-Verse franchise and KPop Demon Hunters is evident, but Forgotten Island still establishes a visual identity all its own through its incorporation of Filipino folklore and mythology.
The supporting cast contributes plenty of charm, particularly Dave Franco as Raww, a lovable were-dog whose search for belonging provides some of the film’s funniest and most heartfelt moments. The wider ensemble keeps the energy levels high throughout.
At times, however, that energy works against the film. Forgotten Island rarely slows down, constantly introducing new jokes, eccentric characters and visual gags. While much of the comedy lands, the relentless pace occasionally becomes fatiguing and a few emotional moments would have benefited from a little more breathing room, particularly in the final act where several major developments arrive in quick succession.
Despite this, the emotional payoff remains effective. The film’s conclusion delivers a surprisingly moving reflection on friendship, growing up and learning to let people change without losing the bonds that connect us. It’s a heartfelt ending that elevates the story beyond its colourful fantasy trappings.
Parents should note that while Forgotten Island is certainly family-friendly, it sits closer to the traditional DreamWorks mould of Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon than younger-skewing titles like Trolls. The humour is a little edgier, the themes more mature and the emotional beats likely to resonate most strongly with teenagers and adults.
Frenetic, funny and visually spectacular, Forgotten Island occasionally becomes caught up in its own momentum, but its creativity, cultural richness and emotional sincerity make it one of DreamWorks’ strongest efforts in recent years.
Forgotten Island is in Australian cinemas September 17
