When we grow up, how much do our memories really matter? This is the piercing question that fundamentally drives Forgotten Island, DreamWorks’ newest feature, which is an animated celebration of Filipino culture.

Helmed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, the beloved duo behind Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Forgotten Island shines with the same fairytale-inspirations and infectious energy that made their first film such a surprising hit. However, this time, Forgotten Island feels even more personal, with Mercado’s Filipino roots taking the forefront alongside the theme of friendship, inspired by the duo’s own decade-long connection.

The film centres around Jo (H.E.R.) and Raissa (Liza Soberano), two best friends, who on their last night together, are magically whisked to Nakali, an island with mythological creatures from their childhood. While trying to escape, they end up not only encountering a bizarre cast of friends and foes, but also their own past.

Simultaneously more chaotic and touching than I expected, Forgotten Island is a blast to watch. At its emotional core, it confronts the relatable fear of loved ones moving away, and if it is worth losing that connection for potential success elsewhere. It’s a classic coming-of-age trope, but the film’s focus on memory and Filipino culture helps it feel fresh, for the most part.

Against the unmistakable backdrop of the 1990s, Forgotten Island starts by openly pulling at your heartstrings with a heartfelt montage of Jo and Raissa growing up as best friends, and it works. With a myriad of Filipino references that delighted the MIFF crowd, the film manages to vibrantly balance authentic representation with a short but sweet introduction to its two wide-eyed protagonists. From bright jeepneys to Raissa’s despedida, the proud embrace of Filipino culture in Forgotten Island quickly feels so welcoming and intrinsic to the world.

Unfortunately though, we don't get to stay in the town for long as Jo and Raissa quickly get swept up into a ragtag adventure on Nakali. Sprinkled with bold colours and a mix of over-the-top chibi gags and anime-inspired scenes, Forgotten Island is a constant visual wonderland. It outlandishly commits to some of the most unhinged sequences I’ve ever seen from a recent mainstream animated film, and it’s a trip for sure.

Leading this chaos is Raww, the wild were-aspin voiced by Dave Franco, who enthusiastically guides Jo and Raissa around Nakali as they try to recollect their night and escape the island. Surprisingly, this middle act was actually my favourite part of the whole film as I really enjoyed them piecing the night together as they met different creatures around the island, akin to the species shenanigans of Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts. It was light-hearted, ridiculous and boundlessly energetic.

However, that’s also Forgotten Island’s biggest downfall. Its most intimate scenes are usually undercut by humour or action, and at times, it feels like energy was overly spent in the wrong areas. For instance, Manang (voiced by Filipino icon Lea Salonga), one of DreamWorks’ most terrifying villains since The Wolf in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, is disappointingly never given that same level of thematic commitment and weight. First portrayed as a silly kids drawing, seeing the folklore-inspired manananggal brought to life later in the film with such a sinister and vengeful touch was incredible. Sadly though, her potential is never fully realised, with little explicit exploration or conclusion of Manang’s character, which will likely leave some viewers feeling dissatisfied.

Similarly, while Jo and Raissa’s friendship had strong foundations for an emotional arc, the stakes didn’t feel especially believable and I wished they leaned more into the sobering reality of watching someone you love outgrow their childhood. Going beyond the power of friendship and further exploring the nuanced interplay between the pressures of moving abroad, female friendship and cultural heritage could have been really impactful.

However, despite these limitations as a more kid-targeted film than other recent DreamWorks entries, the team behind Forgotten Island should still be incredibly proud. When you see how much heart has gone into this film and the outpour of love it has received from not only the Philippines, but the wider Asian community, it doesn’t matter if the film isn’t perfect. Watching an under-represented culture be so lovingly celebrated in the Hollywood animation space is special.

At the end of the day, Forgotten Island should be watched not just because of its Filipino representation, but also for the message it shares. From little vignettes of playful sleepovers to friendship gifts, when asked how much our memories truly matter when we grow up, the film unabashedly shows how it means everything. Forgotten Island is silly, yes, but it's also a beautiful reminder that we can live our adult lives while still honouring the memories, people and cultures that make us who we are.