NIM'S ISLAND (2008)

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"It's a treasure - a fun film filled with fantasy and enjoyment."

Jodie Foster is Alexandra Rover. She writes adventure novels under the name Alex Rover, and one of her biggest fans is 11-year-old Nim (Abigail Breslin). Nim lives on a tropical island with her father Jack (Gerard Butler). No one knows where they are, and they like it that way. With her friends - Selkie, a friendly Sea Lion, Fred, a sweet Bearded Dragon, and Galileo, a smart and friendly Pelican - Nim has everything she needs. She is happy. And when their friend brings them supplies, she anxiously awaits the newest Alex Rover book.

The hero of the books is Alex Rover (also played by Gerard Butler). This man can get himself out of every situation, no matter how grave. His creator, however, is just the opposite. Alexandra is an agoraphobic, germaphobic, and every other phobic. She doesn't leave her house. As a matter of fact, she often doesn't go outside to get her mail.

When things go wrong on Nim's island, she reaches out - to Alex Rover! Not knowing that Alex and Alexandra are complete opposites, she asks Alex Rover to come to her island to help her. Her father is lost at sea, and a cruise ship wants to put the island on their itinerary.

Alexandra struggles with her alter ego - Alex. In time he convinces her to go help the young girl. He tells her to "touch the world." Of course Alexandra is afraid. "I don't want to. It's not sanitary," she says, while stocking up on her supply of Purell.

Nim and Alexandra are polar opposites as well. While Alexandra is afraid - of just about everything - Nim is brave. Alexandra cannot go out to get her mail, but Nim climbs a volcano without hesitation.

While waiting for Alex Rover to come help her, Nim takes on the issue of the tourists. Enlisting the help of her friends, and all the other critters on the island, she formulates a plan of attack. Let's just say that the odor emitted by a sea lion is not all that sweet. She also takes to catapulting the little dragons onto the tourists.

When Nim finally meets Alex Rover, she is disappointed. But they both have something in common. Imagination.

Nim's Island is a treasure. It's a fun film filled with fantasy and enjoyment. My only question is - how can I get there? It is a true paradise - especially for those who are tired of the rat race.