Synopsis: While celebrating their last night together, Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali, packed with magical and mythological creatures they grew up hearing stories about from their Filipino families.
The 90s are back, and friendship bracelets are too in the first trailer for DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island. I attended a trailer event earlier this week, so I have the inside scoop. Created and co-directed by Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford, whose work you loved in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Forgotten Island is a best-friend fantasy adventure inspired by their decades-long friendship and the women in their lives. Releasing on September 25th of this year, the Forgotten Island stars H.E.R. as the free-spirited Jo and Liza Soberano as the pragmatic Raissa, both with Filipino roots. It also features the voice performances of Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Dolly de Leon, Jo Koy, Ronny Chieng, and Lea Salonga. This original film aims to dazzle while pushing the animation medium forward. The vibrant feature will explore a lifelong friendship and the fear of drifting apart.
The trailer not only highlights how fun this experience will be, but also how culturally rich it is. While its universal specificity welcomes everyone, the 90s setting and references make it a guaranteed celebration for Millennials. Not to mention, the fantasy aspect makes it even more inviting, as most of us grew up on movies like The Secret of Nimh, FernGully, and Akira. Forgotten Island looks dope. It looks cool. It looks fresh. Also, when was the last time you got to sing “Who Let the Dogs Out” without shame? I am personally really looking forward to this one. Trailer is below.
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
