Original animated films have been taking a hit recently, especially those released in theaters. Not every movie can be like KPop Demon Hunters and completely take over the cultural zeitgeist. Disney in particular has struggled the most in creating compelling original animated films, with movies like Wish, Strange World, and Eilio severely underperforming at the box office despite mild reception from critics. It may not be a Disney film, but the next big test for original animation comes from DreamWorks with the release of Forgotten Island. While it may not have a huge A-list cast or a well-known filmmaker at the helm, it has more than enough substance to be worthy of box office success.

Set in the 90s, the film follows two teenage girls, Raissa and Jo, who accidentally find themselves trapped on Nakali (aka the Forgotten Island). Fresh out of high school and ready to start their adult lives, Raissa and Jo struggle to find their way off the island as they make many friends and foes on their journey home who try to make them stay forever.

Forgotten Island can be compared to many children’s animated films of the past, but it arguably borrows most from The Hangover. Like the characters in the 2008 comedy hit, Jo and Raissa wake up on the island and can’t remember what happened the night before. Throughout the movie, Jo and Raissa slowly piece together the events of the night before, hoping it will lead them back home. For the parents who are eager to show their kids The Hangover but are afraid they are not old enough yet, Forgotten Island works as an excellent alternative.

Where the two films don’t compare is in the visual language. While The Hangover never exaggerates its framing, every scene in Forgotten Island features some form of hyperactive camera work. From the anime-style expressions on the characters’ faces to background shifts when they are in a dream state, the film never tries to ground itself visually, which makes for a relentlessly entertaining experience throughout. The animation also has a comic-book feel that adds to the film’s hyperstyle, with characters freezing in place to mirror a single comic-book panel. In a time where 3D animation has hit a peak, Forgotten Island showcases that are still plenty of ways to innovate.

Jo and Raissa are lost in more ways than one. Not only are they trying to navigate their way home, but they’re also trying to figure out where they are in their friendship. Raissa feels she has to let go of their friendship and go off to college to succeed, while Jo struggles to find autonomy without her best friend by her side. The dichotomy between the two creates an extremely compelling drama, with the third act in particular delivering strong moments of mental health awareness and the power of friendship. While the writing for the characters is always strong, H.E.R. and Liza Soberano do a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, providing the whimsy of youth and adolescence while beautifully portraying the struggles of finding yourself. For a film aimed at a younger audience, it offers more than enough satisfying storytelling to please movie fans of all ages.

Most of the second act focuses on introducing the different factions of Forgotten Island, as Jo and Raissa visit and meet all kinds of creatures. While the world was always enjoyable to be in because of the likable leads and colorful visuals, it sometimes felt tedious. Instead of each new character or location contributing to the story, they began to feel more like vehicles for humor, especially the sequence regarding the Kataw. While the editing was frantic enough to keep the film at a fast pace, there were too many sequences in the middle that dragged the runtime down.

With dazzling animation and a heartfelt story, Forgotten Island is another excellent DreamWorks film that excels across nearly every category. While it can feel long at times, the empathetic characters make it more than a good time at the movies. With original animated movies becoming less and less apparent in theaters, this is a perfect example of why we need more movies like this. There may be movies of better quality in the theater currently, but this arguably the one that deserves your money the most.

Forgotten Island will be released in theaters nationwide on September 25.

Rating: 7/10

Oscar Prospects:

Best Animated Feature