STORYLINE: Two best friends become stranded on the mystical world of Nakali, where their only escape might cost them their shared lifetime of memories.  (IMDb)

   During the hot days of summer, Buzz Lightyear and the gang return to the big screen in Pixar’s Toy Story 5.  Sports fans had their cinematic tail told in the 2026 animated feature Goat.  The minions went to Hollywood, in Minions & Monstsrs (2026), in their most recent big screen adventure.  The new Dreamworks animated motion picture, Forgotten Island, is the latest animated feature, in 2026, to find a home in movie theaters.

    Friendship is a common theme, in cinema. The 1986 classic Stand By Me may just be the best movie to feature this theme. The Sandlot (1993) is a close second. It seems it is a theme that runs through films, for viewers of all ages, from the Toy Story franchise to The Shawshank Redemption (1994).  The family, friendly feature, Forgotten Island, has this theme  at the core of its story.

    The story in the movie, has been told plenty of times before.  Two friends embark on a journey, when it is needed the most, to rekindle their friendship.  The journey in Forgotten Island is filled with silly characters, that help 

 lead them on their path of self discovery. They face a variety of situations, with positive outcomes, and touching moments. There is nothing unique to this story.  There is nothing wrong with that, when told well. 

    Here it is told well enough.  It gets its points across, and for the most part kept my attention.

    If you are a younger audience member, it is the kind of film, that seems destined to entertain you.  Unlike other Dreamworks features, like Shrek (2001) or Kung Fu Panda (2008), Forgotten Island seems destined not to have generational cross appeal.  It’s entertainment value appears to be limited to the target, younger grade school age demographic.

    With that said, it does have the occasional moment of nicely done animation.  These moments are sparse, in an otherwise stereo typically animated feature film.

    After seeing the trailer play thought put the summer, this was where my expectations were walking into Forgotten Island. As I left my seat, I was not disappointed, in that regard.  Sometimes, though, I can be surprised, and enjoy a movie more than I was ecoecting. This was not the case here. 

    Forgotten Island, the latest movie from the studio that broight Shrek to theaters, is the kind of film a younger movie giver will enjoy, which is ti be expected.   It doesn’t have much going for it beyond that.

   Until next time, I will see you at the movies!