Forgotten Island (2026) – Movie Review

Introduction

Forgotten Island is a vibrant and fun animated fantasy movie that incorporates elements of Filipino mythology and friendship. It is made by DreamWorks Animation studios and directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado.

The plot takes place in the 1990s and revolves around the lives of two best friends whose future is unclear.

Jo and Raissa are about to experience a life-changing moment because Raissa is moving from the Philippines to study in America.

It is during their last night together that an unforeseen turn of events occurs since they stumble upon a portal that takes them to Nakali, a place inhabited by creatures from Filipino folklore.

Unfortunately, leaving the peculiar world has its price since they have to part with their memories of one another, thus threatening to end their relationship.

What follows is an adventure full of mystical experiences, emotions discovered, and thrilling action.

Under all its colorful imagery, the movie shows the process of growing up, accepting changes, and knowing when to let go.

I watched Forgotten Island in 4DX 3D, which made the experience particularly memorable. The combination of immersive effects and imaginative animation elevated several sequences beyond what conventional theatrical presentation could offer.

Even though this movie sometimes has trouble with pacing and the development of its characters, its unique cultural identity allows it to shine through.

This is an ambitious animated adventure that has a lot of heart despite having some trouble with its storytelling.

Storyline and Direction

The main theme lies in the idea of friendship coping with the changes brought about by growing up.

Jo and Raissa have been friends for many years now, although their contrasting characters make it difficult for them to say goodbye.

Raissa is book-smart, highly organized, and is keen on securing her future. She has managed to get into Caltech; this is one of her greatest successes.

Jo is a totally different character from Raissa. She lives her life with laughter and creativity and wants to become a comic book artist.

Their contrasting personalities create friction long before they enter Nakali. Raissa wants to move forward, while Jo fears losing the person who understands her best.

However, it makes the drama an actual struggle for life when the supernatural experience turns into the drama of their memories that start vanishing, and separation becomes ever more real to them.

Directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado have developed the adventure on the basis of this emotion. The mythology serves as amazing challenges, while friendship is the reason behind the journey.

But sometimes, the movie slows down in its middle section. Some conversations go on for too long, breaking the pace that was created by their fading memories.

The movie even introduces some fascinating characters but fails to give them enough screen time. Hence, some of the storylines come out as interesting ideas rather than complete stories.

Nevertheless, their relationship continues to be compelling throughout. The best scenes happen when the elements of the fantasy world clash with their understanding of themselves.

Animation and Cinematography

Forgotten Island visually stands out as one of the most visually spectacular animated adventures that I have seen in a movie theater. The fusion of stylized 2D art style and advanced 3D visuals makes the film stand out.

The style reminds me of the vibrant animation of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

But Forgotten Island manages to distinguish itself from other movies due to Filipino folklore and imaginative settings.

The most memorable visuals come from Nakali, which is home to bright forests, weird creatures, spores, and enchanting landscapes. Some settings look like moving watercolor paintings.

Animation becomes very expressive when the action happens. The use of strong lines, extreme perspective, and movement makes the whole animation look like an anime.

This style of animation suits chases and supernatural encounters best. Exaggerated movement and speed make it funny, but dangerous at the same time.

It is a great advantage for the mythical characters. They look creative, yet it is obvious that they are part of the folk culture.

The Manananggal (Lea Salonga) is particularly striking in her scary physical appearance and silhouette. Her transformations and flights are particularly impressive in showing the ability of the film to use animation to convey size and danger.

The environments in turn contribute to the overall emotional tone of the film. Nakali can be at once beautiful and menacing depending on the girls’ situation.

There is a definite separation between the recognizable Philippines and the supernatural realm beyond the portal. This helps to show the move from comfort into the unknown.

Nevertheless, at times the visual impact can become too much. There are moments where there is so much happening in the frame that its emotional impact becomes secondary.

Nevertheless, the animation remains a major achievement. It gives the film a distinctive identity and makes Nakali a world worth exploring.

The 4DX 3D Experience

Seeing the Forgotten Island movie in 4DX 3D made it much more entertaining for me. The format turned many of the movie’s animated scenes into physical realities instead of just visual shows.

The extra dimension allows for making the character of Nakali appear huge, especially when gigantic mythological creatures show up on the screen.

The environmental effects also support the atmosphere created by the tropical settings of the film. Fog, wind, water jets, and lighting effects all contribute to evoking the mood of the otherworldly island.

Environmental effects are most effective when they occur naturally as part of the action. Far from being merely gimmicky elements in the film, they can serve to create even stronger links between the viewer and the ongoing adventure.

A good example of this technique would be the portal effect that appears when Jo and Raissa are taken to Nakali.

Motion, wind, and flashing lights make for a very dynamic transition, which reflects the loss of control that happens to the characters.

Another exciting part is the jungle chase scene. Quick movements and sudden physical jerks go well with exaggerated animation and make the chase a lot of fun.

The flying sequences are a great example of the visual spectacle. Depth in the image and banked seat movements make the viewer believe that he or she is really in the air.

This sequence shows how well the animated film and the theatre can work together.

Water effects also add to the experience in scenes with water action. Movement of the seats goes along with the changes in motion, and water sprayed at the right time gives an added bonus to the viewer.

The soundtrack helps build on the immersive nature of the film. Percussive elements of Filipino music add a unique rhythm to particular scenes that complement the motion of the seats.

Another way in which the juxtaposition of modern music against traditional music supports the cultural nature of the movie is the fact that music now forms an integral part of the experience.

On the other hand, 4DX may not be for everybody, and the constant motion becomes a distraction especially during quieter scenes or emotionally charged scenes.

There might also be those who feel that the physical sensations become too much during the long sequences. But overall, it fits the movie very well. For me, Forgotten Island is at its best in 4DX 3D.

Themes and Character Development

Beyond the exciting adventure in Forgotten Island is a story about accepting change. The fantasy setting makes the perfect metaphor for the fear of drifting apart from a significant person.

Jo and Raissa at the beginning symbolize the two ways of handling life’s uncertainties. Raissa tries to control her future, whereas Jo is running away from it.

It is easy to sympathize with Raissa’s determination, especially because of her dreams of future academic success. Nonetheless, her obsession with the future distracts her from living in the moment.

In Jo’s case, she has the reverse situation where her ability to entertain others through her humorous nature is a way of coping with difficult situations.

With the passing away of her grandmother, Lola Fatima, she is at a loss as to what to do. This fear of being left alone can be a reason for her discomfort with Raissa leaving.

It is the danger posed by Nakali that forces the two girls to reflect upon themselves because their survival depends on changing their behavior.

Jo gradually discovers that avoiding responsibility can hurt the people she loves. She has to start taking things seriously and make tough decisions.

On the other hand, Raissa finds out that life does not always go according to plan. It becomes harder for her to apply her plans in a reality where the supernatural prevails.

The most satisfying development comes about when both characters do not lose themselves entirely and retain some of their initial characteristics

The idea of memory loss gives the story emotional weight. The fear of forgetting one’s friendship is something many have experienced while going through important transitions in their lives.

The movie proves that friendship need not keep two people the same forever. Sometimes, friendship involves caring for a person even if it means helping them fulfill their dreams of going somewhere else.

It’s an important message especially for viewers who may be graduating or going through such important changes in their lives.

Nonetheless, sometimes the movie manages to explain its messages in more clarity than develop them. There were certain emotional discoveries that could use some more space and quiet moments from the characters.

Nevertheless, it was an important point made by the movie. This adventure helped both Jo and Raissa learn about their friendship.

Performances and Voice Cast

The voice cast contributes significantly to the film’s emotional and comedic appeal. Its combination of Filipino talent and international performers helps establish a distinctive ensemble.

H.E.R. voices Jo, bringing a soulful quality to the character’s more vulnerable moments. Her performance helps communicate Jo’s fear of abandonment beneath her carefree exterior.

However, Jo can be annoying at times, and her behaviour occasionally tests the audience’s patience. Her tendency to deflect serious conversations with humour becomes frustrating when other characters need her attention.

This characterisation makes sense within the story, but it isn’t always enjoyable to watch. Jo’s emotional growth is therefore important to making her journey satisfying.

Liza Soberano voices Raissa, capturing the character’s energetic determination and underlying vulnerability.

Her performance helps make Raissa more than simply the responsible friend who worries about everything.

The contrast between Soberano and H.E.R. gives the central friendship much of its energy. Their characters feel different enough to clash while remaining believable as lifelong companions.

The comic relief comes from Dave Franco, who plays Raww, the shapeshifting weredog that accompanies the girls. Deadpan humor fits this character well, with his humorous, nonsensical remarks and survival tips.

This character injects some unpredictability into the story. His humor sometimes breaks the tension, but for the most part, he brings levity to the movie.

Lea Salonga is particularly effective as the Dreaded Manananggal. Her vocal performance moves between deceptive sweetness and frightening intensity, giving the villain a memorable presence.

The contrast is especially effective when her character’s appearance becomes more terrifying. Salonga brings theatrical force to the role without losing its unsettling quality.

Manny Jacinto adds another distinctive performance as Bungi, the baby demon whose threatening personality contrasts with his appearance. His vocal delivery creates an entertaining balance between menace and comedy.

Ronny Chieng also makes good use of his comedic timing as King Truffle Wuffle. The character’s self-importance provides humour within the film’s increasingly dangerous circumstances.

Jenny Slate brings her familiar eccentricity to Batiba, the spirit associated with the memory swamp. Her character adds another imaginative element to Nakali’s supernatural landscape.

However, not every supporting character receives enough development. Several fascinating figures appear briefly before the story moves towards its next major set piece.

The ensemble remains entertaining, but a more focused approach could have made its secondary characters more emotionally significant.

Filipino Folklore and Cultural Representation

Among the highlights of the movie would be the introduction of the movie to the Filipino mythology. Unlike other movies, it does not limit itself to the usage of fantasy characters known only in the Western world.

It is the mythology that shapes the character of Nakali. Manananggal, Tikbalang, Bakunawa and many more are the creatures that help create the world of the story.

At the same time, their inclusion into the movie gives it the cultural dimension that is not limited by the universal theme of friendship.

This association is further strengthened by the fact that the movie’s setting is in the Philippines. The 90s era is one that people can identify culturally in relation to the characters’ childhood.

Music plays its part in establishing this identity too, using traditional percussions and other important sounds. These help make the score unique compared to other animated fantasy soundtracks.

In mainstream Western animation, this portrayal becomes especially important. This gives viewers a chance to experience Filipino stories through animation.

Yet, cultural portrayal will be at its best when the mythological portrayal gets enough narrative focus. Certain creatures and myths might need more elaboration.

There are times when certain concepts were presented only to be followed by an action sequence right away. In doing so, there are certain things that have been underexplored even when visually appealing.

Nonetheless, the cultural influence it carries is certainly one of its strongest assets. It allows Forgotten Island to stand out amidst other animated fantasies.

What Worked and What Did Not

The best feature of this movie is the combination of emotional story and world-building in Forgotten Island. The friendship between Jo and Raissa makes this adventure have a strong ground.

The fact that the main characters are different provides logical and realistic conflict, especially when their parting comes near. The fear of forgetting each other becomes real because of the main plot line.

The animation is also the strong feature of this movie, because it is expressive enough to make Nakali unique.

The 4DX 3D experience must be commended as well. The physical aspects contribute to the action and play a key role in turning the movie into a more immersive theatrical production.

The voices bring comedy and drama together. H.E.R. and Liza Soberano create a realistic couple while Lea Salonga makes an especially memorable antagonist.

The inclusion of Filipino mythology in the movie makes it culturally relevant. This mythology is a breath of fresh air in the animation of fantasy.

Nevertheless, there are parts in the film that move at a slower pace, when the plot should really be gaining momentum due to the girls losing their memories.

Jo could also be very annoying because of how her humor keeps her from realizing the gravity of the situation. Nevertheless, this is just part of Jo’s development as a character.

The supporting cast presents another weakness. Many characters have intriguing designs and personalities, but not everyone receives enough development to make their contributions meaningful.

Two unanswered questions particularly stood out to me.

The first concerns Jo’s father and his decision not to take her to the United States. This detail could have offered valuable insight into their relationship and Jo’s complicated feelings about her future.

Sadly, this aspect is not explained well enough in the movie. This way, one of the most interesting elements of Jo’s background stays vague to the viewer.

Secondly, there is another unresolved element related to the Manananggal becoming a villain. In the plot, she is associated with the idea of memory loss, but it is not explained why this made her so evil.

Lack of the background of this kind makes the antagonist much less complex emotionally.

These questions do not detract from the movie in any way, but they leave the movie’s universe and its characters underdeveloped. It would have taken just a bit more narrative focus to transform some intriguing notions into fascinating stories.

The bottom line is that Forgotten Island is better at delivering the visuals than telling an engaging story. It is obvious what the filmmakers were trying to say.

Conclusion

Forgotten Island is an imaginative animated adventure that delivers a meaningful message about friendship, change, and maturity. However, it manages to shine because of its interesting folklore, amazing animation style, and unique villain.

The character of Jo, the pacing of the movie, and the underdeveloped plots hinder its success to a great extent. However, the core friendship story is emotionally fulfilling enough to enjoy the journey.

I would advise watching Forgotten Island in 4DX 3D, if possible, since the film deserves it. This is especially true for the scenes of Nakali which are stunning in visuals and action.