Watch out for flying lizards!

We’ve been looking for some new movies to watch – that are kid friendly – and recently came upon one that the girls wanted to see called Nim’s Island.

Semi-famous marine biologist, Jack Rusoe, played by Gerald Butler (300, Phantom of the Opera), and his daughter Nim, Abigail Breslin (No Reservations, Raising Helen), have sailed around the world twice and now live on an un-charted volcanic island. They have all of the modern-day conveniences that they need including solar power and satellite communications. Nim has a wild imagination and is fascinated by her favorite adventure writer, Alex Rover. When Jack is out to sea looking for the latest undiscovered protozoa, Nim intercepts an e-mail to Jack from Alex who is doing research on volcanoes for her latest story. When Jack is seemingly lost and doesn’t return, Nim calls on her hero to save the day. Little does she know that the great adventurer Alex Rover is a girl… Alexandra (Jodie Foster), an agoraphobic who is afraid to open her front door let alone go outside. Alexandra also has a wild imagination as an author of her Indiana Jones-like adventures. So much so that she is guided (or tormented) by her imaginary, fictional hero, Alex Rover (also Gerald Butler).

The adventure that ensues is absolutely hilarious. From Alex’s trip, to cruise ship pirates who want to take over the island, to flying lizards, you will laugh until you cry. The movie is predictable, not very well acted, and is a wanna-be Swiss Family Robinson adventure. But kids don’t care about predictability or acting. This is a kid’s movie. But it touches the heart and it is a lot of fun. If you have kids, it’s a must see.

One negative point about the movie… if your kids do see it, they’re going to want to go to the pet store and get a flying lizard of their very own!