FIRST LOOK: ‘Forgotten Island’ is unforgettable – and a winner

 LOS ANGELES – “Tayo na! (Let’s go!)”

That come-on encouragement is heard several times in Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado’s “Forgotten Island,” which might as well be a rallying cry to hop on to this animated adventure, a wild, intoxicating ride into Philippine mythology, with some of its exotic giants, from aswang, manananggal, kapre, duwende to tiyanak.

I just saw the finished version of the much-awaited film at the Campanile Theater on the sprawling DreamWorks Animation Studios in Glendale, California. It was sensory overload, in a good way.

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Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) in ‘Forgotten Island’ | Photo from DreamWorks

Philippine folklore, mythology

I am still processing a lot of good things about this latest from the animation powerhouse behind such films as “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Shrek,” “The Wild Robot,” “Puss in Boots,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “Antz.”

The landmark significance of “Forgotten Island” can’t be emphasized enough, and I will probably not tire of pointing this out – it’s the first major Hollywood animation studio movie set in the Philippines, with Filipino characters, that mines the country’s rich folklore and mythology.

But the other good news is that the film’s emotional, compelling depiction of the power of friendship will make audiences all over the world embrace “Forgotten Island.”

‘Forgotten Island’ producer Mark Swift (left) and directors Januel Mercado and Joel Crawford | Photo by Ruben Nepales

Photo from DreamWorks

The Philippine element is a plus, especially for Filipinos who are expected to troop to their cineplexes to watch, but moviegoers from America to Korea will be hooked on the forceful tug of the bond between the two main protagonists.

H.E.R., Liza Soberano, Lea Salonga

And the film succeeds in large part to the pitch-perfect voice acting of H.E.R. (Jo) and Liza Soberano (Raissa) and the animation artists’ deft illustration of these two BFFs as they run the gamut of emotions and go through various situations, from waiting to be called inside the principal’s office (for the nth time) to being chased by the scary manananggal (Lea Salonga).

The voice acting of Raissa (Liza Soberano) and Jo (H.E.R.) is the film’s key strength. Photo from DreamWorks

H.E.R. (left) and Liza Soberano | FILE PHOTO

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The friendship of Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano) anchors ‘Forgotten Island.’ Photo from DreamWorks

The friendship of the spunky, adventurous Jo and the responsible, sensible Raissa, from grade school to the end of high school, provides the emotional heft of the story.

I am still going over the rest of the terrific voice cast, which includes a “cameo” by Wagner Moura, Cannes Film Festival and Golden Globe Best Actor winner for “The Secret Agent.”

Dolly de Leon, Manny Jacinto, Jo Koy

Not-to-be-soon-forgotten voice actors include Dave Franco as Raww, described as “a well-meaning but completely hapless aspin,” short for asong Pinoy or Filipino dog who is actually a mythical weredog; Dolly de Leon, as Jo’s Lola Fatima, equally cool and an expert in Filipino folklore and mythology; and Jenny Slate as Batiba, short for Batibat, the tree-dwelling, sleep paralysis inducing creature.

“Forgotten Island” deserves a second or third viewing to savor the contributions of the big cast, which includes Manny Jacinto as Bungi, a giant demon baby representing the tiyanak and Jo Koy as Datu.

“Tabi tabi po,” meaning “Excuse me” or “May I please pass,” spoken to show respect to unseen spirits, and other Tagalog phrases made their way into the script, also written by Joel and Januel.

‘Forgotten Island’ directors Januel Mercado (left) and Joel Crawford, flank Inquirer’s Ruben V. Nepales. CONTRIBUTED

Of course, there’s a karaoke scene showing Raissa’s dad, extending those high notes as he warbles “On the Wings of Love” so he can earn a 100 score, one of the filmmakers’ amusing touches that capture the essence of the Pinoy. Don’t many Filipinos know that vocal trick to get a perfect karaoke score?

Soundtrack

The music score perfectly captures the 1990s setting, with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” and other hits from the era reflecting the zeitgeist.

As for the original songs, Ruby Ibarra and Carl Angelo’s “Salbahe Ako” stood out, but the other new songs by H.E.R, Liza Soberano, BINI, SB19 and Sophia Laforteza are compositions worth checking out in the soundtrack.

Photo from DreamWorks

“Forgotten Island” abounds with visual references that will make Pinoy viewers grin, chuckle, or simply nod in agreement, from our penchant for pointing with our lips, arnis martial arts, Babaylan script, the barrel man to big ornamental wooden fork and spoon, and the food, naturally, from tilapia, lumpia, lechon, pork barbecue, pancit to leche flan.

Even the Sacred Heart of Jesus, ubiquitous in many Filipino homes, makes an appearance.

The end credits list Kirby Araullo, historian and content creator, as the film’s cultural consultant.

Take away all these Filipino references, however engaging they may be, and you still have a film that’s memorable and enjoyable because of its emotionally powerful depiction of friendship, a theme that’s universal in any country or culture.

“Tayo na!” when “Forgotten Island” opens in late September.