DreamWorks Animation’s latest release, *Forgotten Island*, is a high-energy adventure set in the Philippines during the 1990s, exploring themes of friendship, identity, and memory. The film follows Jo, a lonely and imaginative teenager, voiced by R&B artist HER, who forms a close bond with Raissa, portrayed by Liza Soberano. Their friendship is grounded in shared feelings of isolation, with Jo frequently in trouble at school and Raissa focused on academic success, eventually gaining admission to Caltech in the United States.

The narrative incorporates a mystical element when Jo discovers a portal to the titular island of Nakali, an ancestral and forgotten place steeped in cultural lore. Both girls accidentally enter this magical realm and awaken twelve hours later with no recollection of their prior actions, setting off a quest to uncover what transpired and to find a way back home. This premise echoes a memory-loss scenario reminiscent of films like *The Hangover*, driving the plot through a combination of mystery and fantastical encounters.

Throughout their journey, Jo and Raissa meet several distinctive characters, including Raww, a shapeshifting dog voiced by Dave Franco, and Batiba, a memory demon with a striking resemblance to Jabba the Hutt, voiced by Jenny Slate. They also encounter Manang, played by Lea Salonga, a formidable figure whose vulnerabilities gradually surface. The interplay between these characters propels the story forward, with the protagonists facing challenges that test their friendship and resilience.

The film is noted for its relentless pace and visually busy animation style that some observers say resembles the frenetic energy often seen in AI-generated content. Unlike traditional animated features that balance action with quieter moments for character development, *Forgotten Island* offers few pauses, maintaining near-constant motion and brightness. This approach has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewers finding it over-controlled and lacking emotional depth despite moments of genuine feeling, such as a poignant scene where Raissa announces her departure for college.

*Forgotten Island* will be released in Australia on September 17, followed by the United States on September 25, and the United Kingdom on October 16. The film aims to combine cultural storytelling with contemporary animation techniques, although its reception suggests a divided response to its overall execution and narrative style.