The new animated feature blends Filipino myth with 90s‑era visuals, following two unlikely teens on a magical quest through a vibrant, memory‑laden world.
DreamWorks rolls out Forgotten Island this week, a fully animated feature that pulls its visual DNA from Filipino folk art and the neon‑kissed palettes of the early 1990s. The story follows Jo, a restless teen from Manila, and Raissa, a brilliant scholar headed for Caltech, who stumble upon a hidden portal that whisks them to Nakali, a mythic isle teeming with shape‑shifting beings and memory‑eating demons.
The film opens in a 1990s classroom where Jo’s wild tales about the island earn her a detention. Raissa steps in, defending her, and the two bond over mixtapes, charm bracelets and a love for Arnold Schwarzenegger movies that play on Jo’s late grandmother’s old TV. After their teacher’s warning, the pair drift apart. Jo drifts through dead‑end jobs while Raissa earns a scholarship abroad. Their friendship is tested by Raissa’s mother, who worries Jo will hold her daughter back.
On the eve of Raissa’s departure, the girls discover the portal behind Lola’s attic and plunge into Nakali. There they meet a parade of creatures: a three‑eyed infant demon terrified of pink eye, a confused were‑wolf‑dog hybrid, a cuddly memory demon who lives off an endless buffet of recollections, and the dignified king of the Duwende tribe. Even the fearsome ruler, voiced by Lea Salonga, is given a tender backstory that softens her menace.
Visually, the movie feels like a sugar rush of saturated hues, each frame bursting with patterns that echo traditional Philippine textiles. The animation style deliberately mimics hand‑drawn sketches, giving the world a slightly rough edge that works in its favor. The colour choices are bold without being garish, and the design of each creature feels fresh, avoiding the recycled look common in recent studio releases.
The voice talent adds another layer of charm. H.E.R. Brings a street‑wise swagger to Jo, while Liza Soberano captures Raissa’s quiet intelligence. Supporting voices – Manny Jacinto, Dave Franco, Jenny Slate, Ronny Chieng and Lea Salonga – deliver punchy lines that keep the comedy light even when the stakes rise.
At times the narrative tries to juggle too many side characters, and a few scenes feel crowded. Yet the core of the film – the evolving bond between two very different girls – stays solid. The theme of memory, reinforced by Polaroid snapshots and physical keepsakes, gives the adventure an emotional anchor that resonates beyond the spectacle.
Forgotten Island is already playing in Indian multiplexes. Early audience reactions point to a love for the vibrant world‑building and the heartfelt friendship at its centre. Whether the film can sustain box‑office momentum against the summer blockbusters remains to be seen, but its unique cultural flavor makes it a noteworthy addition to DreamWorks’ catalogue.
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