A 90's Mixtape That Blends Friendship and Filipino Folklore

 

Unlike most animated studios, DreamWorks has been adopting the animation style popularized by the Sony Spider-Verse movies, which seems to be translating well with audiences, especially with films like their previous outing, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and Netflix's infamous K-pop Demon Hunters. The studio has now returned with yet another original project that has been buzzed about for months, centered on friendship, the 90s, and Filipino folklore, all wrapped together. 

Forgotten Island is a literal mixtape of those aforementioned elements, wrapped into a vibrant and gorgeously animated feature that proves itself to be more than just its marketing campaign. Centered on two longtime friends, Jo and Raisa, who are grappling to keep their friendship alive. This leaves them lost in a fantastical, otherworldly setting that proves the folklore and mythology stories Jo's grandmother told them when they were kids to be true. 

This feature, although targeted at kids, as most animation is, mostly appeals to adults who grew up in the 90s, especially for its pop culture references and needle drops. The plot also explores the Southeast culture of seeking opportunity in the US and how it is a game-changer for self-image and perception. Most of all, it is a love letter to the Filipino community, from its love of karaoke and the language to the actors involved, and, more prominently, the fantastical world-building featured in the title-based location. 

What makes the plot different from most stories is that it strays from most structures, as the audience witnesses a perspective in which the characters are retracing their steps from a forgotten night, after first setting foot on the island. Yes, that concept is more complicated to digest, but the script simplifies it enough to keep you invested as Jo and Raisa are trying to make it back home. With that, it also blurs the mainstream idea of antagonist-versus-protagonist choices we are so used to, portraying effective, multifaceted arcs across the cast.  

The film is more complex than it needs to be, which again solidifies the fact that a lot of the themes here, other than the friendship navigation of it all, can be lost to younger viewers, and that ultimately worries me with how this film will be received or worse, forgotten once it is out of our radar. To be fair, a lot of people were unaware of this feature because of its poor marketing. Even if that weren't the case, the early trailers did not live up to the fascinating liberties the final product takes and pulls off. 

Forgotten Island makes it clear that there is space for representation to be done right, especially on this platform, which is accessible enough for any age to enjoy. Even if the film will not be appreciated on the big screen, there is potential for it to be appreciated when it is available on demand or to stream. And not to be overconfident about how I feel about the film, I can see it as yet another worthwhile contender for next year's Best Animated Feature category at the Oscars.