Return to Nim's Island (2013) User Reviews

all new actors

[SnoopyStyle · 4/10 · 25 September 2016]

Nim (Bindi Irwin) and her father Jack Rusoe (Matthew Lillard) are on the island doing biological research with their nerdy assistant Felix. Jack's father-in-law Grant informs them that developers are planning to build a resort on the island. Nim comes up with the idea to find three endangered species to save the island while her father goes back to the mainland to present to the government. Edmund runaways from his bickering parents and hires a boat to go back to the island. Booker and his sons Ben and Frankie operate the boat.

The actors are all new from the original. I don't want to be mean-spirited but Bindi Irwin is limited as an actress. She still fits the role in some sense. She brings her myopic focus on nature and she's pretty good at being a grumpy teenager. She and Toby Wallace have fun hate to start the teenie rom-com. However, her acting cannot take it any further. The poaching family is bothersome and takes the movie into the wrong direction. Whatever potential this movie started with is gone after the first half.

If you saw the first movie than you might not like this one.

[jeff-59976 · 5/10 · 28 February 2015]

I thought the first movie was interesting and fun to watch. But this one was not quite as good. First of all it is basically a stripped down version of the first one in that the first one integrates into the story a "fictional" character, Alex Rover, from Alexandria's novels. But nothing like that is done here. Also they wrote out Alexandria. In the first movie she added an extra dynamic to the movie because we got to see how her agoraphobia played out in contrast to Nim's adventurism. I don't recall for sure but I believe Alexandria hit it off with Jack but in the new movie it is like, where did she go?

Though the two movies have some continuity, it is obvious that there is some that is missing. For instance there are completely new actors portraying the characters. In the first movie both Nim and Jack spoke with an American accent. But in the 2nd movie, Jack speaks with one but Nim has sort of a British accent. That makes the story unbelievable when you have seen the first one. Especially considering that Jack is Nim's father. What happened between the two movies? Did Nim go live in the UK for a while?

If you have seen the first one, you will probably end up putting it in either part way through or after you see this one. But if you haven't seen the first one, then I think you would like this one. It's not a bad movie at all. Just disappointing that they didn't make it as interesting or really build on the previous one.

Pretty bad.

[invisibleunicornninja · 4/10 · 22 May 2018]

This movie is worse than the original, which wasn't even that good to begin with. The dialogue is bad. The effects are bad. Nothing is done well. Its just a bland and forgettable movie that isn't worth watching.

Aaaaarggggh!!!

[clairestruthers · 3/10 · 20 April 2013]

Apart from the presence of the wonderful Jodie Foster, the first Nim's Island had a well written, original plot with genuine tension and excitement. This sequel is a tedious, predictable load of trite nonsense, with cardboard cut-out characters, an almost complete absence of acting and plastic animals. Okay, the animals are real, but the sets are not. The plot (such as it is) is constructed entirely as a vehicle for Bindi Irwin, which ignores the unfortunate fact that Bindi could not act her way out of a three-sided room if she tried (which she doesn't, noticeably). She recites her lines as if from an autocue and has two stock expressions - sulky and slightly less sulky. Her love interest (eek - her character and his are aged 14!) is a rather more accomplished actor than she is, but presumably he had to audition for the part, while she obviously didn't. Matthew Lillard, who plays her father, never got out of first gear, and nor did the awfully naughty bad guys - who predictably got what was coming to them in the end (including, naturally, piles of bird poo on their heads). It was an afternoon I'll never get back, but at least I was able to catch up surreptitiously on Facebook ...

Another Bindi Irwin vehicle to make her a star

[jpm4444 · 2/10 · 15 May 2013]

The 2008 version of Nims Island with Jodie Foster and Abigail Breslin playing the young girl, wasn't great but it was watchable. Return to Nim's Island isn't.

I love the Irwins; but Bindi Irwin cannot act. Her over the top performance was straight out of a middle school talent show. Her trying to be tough and feisty against her over the top bubbly image is a little creepy. She isn't an actress.

Her father was paving the way for her to stardom having her star in several TV shows when he passed away. Without him though, this is just another vehicle for her to get famous.

Her acting is horrific and phony and the rest of the cast should get double the pay for being in this. The book Nim at Sea by Wendy Orr in which this was based on is a charming book; this movie isn't.

The lack of chemistry between Bindi and competent young actor Toby Wallace (who is her crush in the movie) is uncomfortable to watch sometimes. Matthew Lillard who is a long time solid and hard working actor must have wondered what was he doing in this film.

Using real and trained animals is always a crowd pleaser; especially with kids; but the sets are so phony that it's hard to take anything serious. The "bad guys" are straight out of the Home Alone series and it's a huge disappointment.

In ending, this movie was one of the worst I've seen in a while and Bindi's acting is really bad. It will be interesting to see how far her father's fame and popularity will take her.

I just wish the adults in her life would get super stardom out of her head, and get her back to where she belongs. Teaching people about animals, and conservation.

Bothersome

[fisher-brent-d · 1/10 · 14 June 2013]

The thing that bothers me the most is the casted none of the original characters. Am I supposed to sit back and enjoy that each character does not match up with the previous movie? Jack should not be played by Matthew Lillard, and Bindi should not play Nim. Those characters should be played by the original actor and actress Gerard Butler and Abigail Breslin. And what happened to Jodi Foster's character? They just completely wrote out one of my favorite characters in the movie. I loved the original movie don't get me wrong, I watched the trailer for this movie and though to myself that it will be horrid and a waste of my time, the only reason I'm ranting about this is because of the fact my favorite characters were taken away.

Horrible

[ffamaro · 1/10 · 3 August 2018]

I realize that movie, like with all other art forms, is subjective. So although everything about the story line is horrible. The acting was terrible. The island in the beginning is a lush island with a what looks like a hill. Then towards the end, the hill looks like a mountain with a large cliff. This looks like a page out of Ed Wood page of film making. No wonder the actors from the first movie didn't do this one. Absolute piece of crap.

Did Not Like This

[lexi-soulreaper · 1/10 · 3 May 2013]

I really did not like this movie at all. Many people do like it because of the story line but I was expecting to witness the same characters we all fell in love with in the very first Nim's Island not all completely different characters. I really wish they would not have changed so many things. I was very disappointed. Within two minutes of the movie I had to stop watching because of how disappointed I was. I would not recommend this for people who loved the first movie. This movie could be a disappointment to many people. I wish That they still had cast Gerard Butler and all of the original cast. Another thing that I was really cross with was the fact that Nim now has an English accent instead of American. Wrapping it all up, I really wish that this movie had not been made as a disappointment to those who actually enjoyed the first movie Nim's Island.

Entertaining

[scoopr-11406 · 8/10 · 22 August 2020]

Yes, I was a little disappointed that the actors were different. I think all sequels should involve at least some of the same actors as the originals. I especially missed Jodie Foster in it. But there was, at least, reference to the charaiucter, saying she was in Bora Bora.

Contrary to other remarks here, I think Bindi did a fine job. In fact, I thought she was better than the Nim actress in the original movie.

This had a fun storyline and beautiful scenery. I like movies like this that take me on a virtual vacation.

Lots of Action and Adventure Without the Blood and Guts

[rannynm · 2 April 2013]

Following up on the success of Nim's Island, this sequel is a great platform for Bindi Irwin, through her portrayal of Nim, to introduce young people to the importance of protecting our earth and its fragile species.

Three of our KIDS FIRST! Film Critics reviewed the film and shared their thoughts with us. According to Brianna Hope Beaton, Nim teaches us "that you should do everything you can to help the marine and wildlife." Cassandra Hsiao says, "Return to Nim's Island will take families on a spectacular expedition underwater, into dark mysterious caves, and up awfully steep cliffs." And, Jailene Arias agrees with the others, that the main message in the film is "don't give up!" Check out their video reviews at kidsfirst dot org. Below is Brianna Hope Beaton's review (age 13)

This film has lots of action, is very funny and is definitely great for the whole family to see.

Let's return to Nim's Island to see how things are going with Nim (Bindi Irwin) and her Father (Matthew Lillard). One day they get a message that some people will be buying the island to build an attraction there, but Nim will not stand for it and comes up with some things to do to save what she calls home. She will do almost anything to protect the island and the animals that she loves so well. Everything is going fine until Edmund, (Toby Wallace), comes along to help but brings trouble. Will Nim get to keep living at her personal resort or will she have to pack up and leave?

I really love this film. It's the sequel to Nim's Island. I love the underwater shots and the humor. The cast does an incredible job in interacting with the animals and making it all believable. My favorite character is Nim because she is not afraid to speak her mind, and will not let anyone push her around. My favorite scene is when Nim is going on the zip line. It looks really cool to ride and I would love to do it. I love the music as it fits in perfectly with the scenes.

Brendan Maher directs Nim's Island. Author of the Nim's Island series, Wendy Orr, is the inspiration behind this film. Everyone does an amazing job – from the animals to all the cast – it makes an impact with an environmental message.

The big message is that you should do everything you can to help the marine and wildlife, if you cannot, please do not harm it. Additionally, it emphasizes the idea to "never give up on what you want to do." I recommend,

Return to Nim's Island for ages 7 to 14. Parents will enjoy it as much as their kids. If you love the wild you will love this film. I give this film an overwhelming 5 out of 5 stars. I love the adventure, cinematography, action and, of course, the humor.

great educational film with science, nature, animals, problem solving and girl power

[judyfb22 · 9/10 · 16 March 2013]

I'm learning how to embrace the chaos of life...love it! I was happy that Felix, the lovable nerd actually experiences victory. Bindi Irwin is well cast since in reality, she actually has real relationships with animals. The animals/nature all beautiful--educational and interesting to meet the endangered species, researcher's perspective, the birds, reptiles, sea lion,under water swim scenes, caves, all nicely photographed. Cool the way the animals intuitively help. A couple of funny, yet gratifying revenge scenes. The danger scenes are cool and the innocent coming of age romance is believable. Edmund's fighting parents make us root for him and the poachers fighting/sibling rivalry thing works. Love dancing with Selkie. The young girl scientist/ girl power thing is on point and current.

Refreshing to see Steve Irwin's daughter, Bindi, step up her film acting . . .

[cleargraphics · 8/10 · 18 June 2014]

I knew this sequel was made for a TV/DVD release only and not for a theatrical release so, they used affordable unknown actors. But, Bindi Irwin is not an unknown, of course.

Steve Erwin was not quite the film actor that his daughter has turned out to be. She was a good child actress in in the Free Willy: Escape from Pirate's Cove movie. But, in Return to Nim's Island, Bindi is a very capable adolescent actress with real theatrical film talent.

Her Mom was very natural in front of a TV camera and Steve's acting style was mainly ramping up his enthusiasm and volume when doing Animal Planet. Maybe Bindi has the best of both parents in her acting ability.

I knew this was not a real sequel, not bringing back any of the original Nim's Island actors but, this was a fresh sassy Australian produced alternative sequel to Nim's Island. Well done!

Why no first movie actors?

[bartchy-91028 · 11 August 2020]

Abigail Breslin, Gerard Butler, Jodie Foster, and Maddison Joyce along with directors Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett made Nim's Island, the first movie, so good. Now a sequel to Nim's Island is made and none of the original cast is in this movie nor the original directors. My one and only question. Why?

Cute family 🎥

[startrekfan72 · 10/10 · 15 May 2019]

This is an amazing little film well worth the watch it is Family Values 101 it also teaches a great appreciation for nature out of respect for all living things this is one movie I would say is age-appropriate for just about any age so by all means please watch this with your young kids you're not so young kids and you're too old to be called kids kids it also teaches the value of friendship which is something that I think is lost on today's generation true appreciation for friends adolescent to be true to yourself and always be you always do you