Forgotten Island

3D Movie Review

Written By: Jacob Scarberry

3D

I could just say one word for the 3D: Brilliant.

Forgotten Island looks beautiful in 3D, with rich, saturated colors that really pop off the screen. The depth is fantastic. The pop-outs are constant. The art style, with its Japanese manga and anime-inspired look, feels like it was practically made for 3D. Every frame has so much detail and depth that you could pause almost anywhere in the movie and have a piece of 3D art worthy of being displayed in a museum.

From the very first frame, you are taken in by the beautiful worlds of 1990s Manila and Nakali. The 3D doesn't just add depth to the animation; it makes the entire art style come alive. Characters, environments, creatures, and even the smallest details feel like they exist in their own space. Some scenes have so much depth that you almost feel like you could reach into the screen.

Every time the characters travel through one of the gorgeous portals, the 3D becomes absolutely insane, with countless layers of depth, objects popping out from every direction, and such an immersive sense of space that you feel like you're traveling through the portal right alongside them. And every time it happens (few times), it will wow you.

The depth is both so natural with the wide-angle scenes, creating an image that is constantly impressive without feeling like the 3D is being forced on you. This is the kind of movie that makes you understand why 3D exists in the first place. It genuinely feels like Forgotten Island was made for the format.

No ghosting, no flatness, no warping of the image. Even the live-action inserts from the 1987 film the girls are watching are presented in 3D. It wasn't necessary, but it's awesome that they did it. It's stunning from beginning to end, and easily the best 3D of 2026 so far. I could keep going, but at this point, you get the idea. Insert positive adjective here.

Forgotten Island is a stunning showcase for 3D, a movie that feels like it was made for the format and absolutely must be seen in 3D in a theater.

Final 3D Score:

10/10 And Editor’s Choice Award

Movie

Never tear us apart.”

Filipino culture has largely been kept in the Philippines for the most part, with almost no films set there and almost no Hollywood films expounding on the awesome culture of the people. DreamWorks has come to rectify their mistake, and luckily, they hired the filmmakers responsible for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish to deliver this wonderful gift to the world at large.

The story of Forgotten Island focuses on two young girls and their friendship, which becomes the heart of the entire adventure. Since the days of elementary school, best friends Jo (Oscar-winning musician H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) have been inseparable, that is until Raissa announces that she is leaving the Philippines to attend CalTech in America. While spending their last night together on the beach, Jo comes across a magical sand dollar that transports the duo to the world of Nakali.

Having lost their memories of the past 12 hours of fun in Nakali, Jo and Raissa must search for clues with the help of Raww (Dave Franco), a shape-shifting weredog. Jo and Raissa must race the clock to restore their memories and deal with the mythical creatures of Tagalog lore, especially the dreaded Manang, a manananggal vampire that has the ability to separate their body from their torso. But more dreaded is the fear of losing their friendship and memories, and that is the main draw to the film.

The film is an animated, PG-rated take on The Hangover, with Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind and Thunderbolts thrown in for good measure, and it all works with great comedic takes on Filipino culture. The film isn't afraid to go to some dark places emotionally, unafraid of using slightly more adult language (I mean, it's slight, but for a modern family film, it almost feels like an NC-17 storyline) and visuals, and with the terrific performances from the main cast, along with support from the likes of Jenny Slate, Manny Jacinto, Lea Salonga, Ronny Chieng, and the rest, they help sell the mostly terrific script by directors Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado.

The beautiful and unique art style carried over from their previous film, Puss in Boots 2, is still amazing, with some '90s anime/video game flair for good measure that should be the rule, not the exception, for Hollywood animated films. There's almost nothing wrong with the film, but there are some plotlines here that could've been removed to make the film flow a bit better. But it would also make me miss out on more lore that is simply too intriguing to edit out of the film.

The film also falls into the same trap of turning the villain into a good guy/non-threat, which I wish wouldn't have happened so we could have had a slightly better climax. But that's my only real complaint, and even then, it's easily forgiven.

Overall, the film is a stunning feature of an oft-overlooked culture, despite Hollywood using the resources of the Philippines for decades, along with a great look at friendship and platonic love. While not able to reach the same highs as the directors' Puss in Boots 2 in terms of emotional depth and darkness for a Hollywood family film, Forgotten Island is still a fantastic fantasy for all ages to enjoy for decades to come.

Forgotten Island is a beautiful, emotional, hilarious, and visually stunning adventure that celebrates friendship, Filipino culture, and the magic of getting lost in a world that feels completely alive.

Final Movie Score: 8/10

Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/

Official Website:

https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/forgotten-island