Island of Lost Girls

I see that half of the reviewers rated the film as it deserves, that is a little more than zero. So I wouldn't have added another similar review and rating, but - you know - I just couldn't help.

This is "A Schmidt Family Film", as we read in the credits. (I have no idea who this family is). The film is screenwritten and directed by Ann-Marie and Brian Schmidt, and its three major actresses are the little girls Avila Shmidt, Scarlet Schmidt, and Autumn Fiore (whose last name is also Schmidt).

I see also that 51,1 % of the voters on IMDb (it's 24 people, so far), rated the film a 10/10: I wonder if all these people's last name is Schmidt. That would be "A Schmidt Family Rating".

As you can easily ascertain - if you can afford to waste something less than 2 hours of your life -, "The Island of Lost Girls" has very very little to share with what everybody - for something more than a century, now - agrees in calling "cinematic work". Yes, stock film (more probabily digital pixels) has been used (and wasted); yes, there are images in movement. But.

But there is no plot whatsoever. The three little (and probably endagered, as a previous review suggested) actresses, as protagonists, struggle incessantly, from the beginning to the end, to save their lives from very unrealistic and highly elusive dangers. And no more. Sometimes some tricks pertaining to the most uncontrolled times of the slapstick comedy of the 1910's are used, but with far less effectiveness.

Watch some Fatty Arbuckle instead.

I love Island of the Lost Girls! Its captivating storyline, outstanding performances by young actresses who fearlessly handle their own stunts and breathtaking cinematography on a remote island make it a must-see family thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The storyline follows three young sisters who accidentally become stranded on a remote island, battling nature's dangers and wildlife as they strive to stay together and survive a thrilling, unplanned adventure.

I like the originality of the storyline, which engaged me throughout. The girls' resilience in the face of challenges adds depth to the narrative. The only drawback is that the film runs a bit long which makes it difficult to maintain its intensity. The cinematography completely immerses the audience in a captivating world with breathtaking shots that showcase the remote island's wild beauty and close-ups that intensify emotional moments, such as the sisters' struggles. The camera effectively captures encounters with wildlife, like sea lions and elephant seals, which adds to the film's tension. Dynamic camera angles within the sea cave enhance the sense of adventure and danger. The costumes suit the storyline perfectly - given the girls being stranded on a remote island, they primarily wear wet bathing suits throughout the film. The remote island off the coast of Baja, California, serves as a breathtaking and immersive setting with its rugged coastline, sea caves and natural wildlife, such as sea lions and elephant seals; it creates a sense of realism that enhances the adventure and peril of the girls' journey. One standout location is the sea cave, which becomes the story's central element of tension and wonder. The dark, labyrinthine passages of the cave, illuminated by natural light, add a sense of mystery and danger. The background music, featured music, and sound effects enhance the film's storytelling. Notably, the music intensifies during critical moments, such as when the girls face danger or navigate treacherous waters, effectively building tension. The natural sounds of the sea, waves and wildlife make the audience feel intimately connected to the characters and their struggle for survival. The central characters are portrayed by real-life sisters Autumn Schmidt, Avila Schmidt and Scarlet Schmidt. The sisters are carefree and adventurous at the start, embarking on a fun day at the beach. However, their characters transform significantly as the story unfolds, and they become stranded on the remote island. They evolve from carefree individuals into determined and resourceful young girls who have to rely on one another to survive. Each sister faces personal challenges and fears, and their growth is evident in their ability to confront and conquer these obstacles. This film benefits significantly from the collaborative efforts of the filmmaker family, with parents Ann-Marie Schmidt and Brian Schmidt directing and co-writing the film alongside their daughter Avila Schmidt. Their combined talents result in a cohesive and emotionally engaging narrative, and excellent performances by their daughters, Autumn, Avila, and Scarlet. My favorite part is when the girls dare to escape from their house to sneak to the beach. This scene captures their adventurous spirit and sets the tone for the entire film. It's a moment filled with excitement and anticipation as the sisters embark on what they believe will be a carefree day of fun. The scene effectively establishes their characters and close bond, making it a memorable and engaging start to their remarkable journey.

The film's message is about the strength of family bonds and the ability to adapt and grow in the face of adversity. It highlights the power of unity and determination and the importance of facing challenges together. It conveys that, even in the most challenging situations, the support and love of family can help individuals overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Note that the film does show kids doing risky things that kids might imitate. The girls perform dangerous stunts and engage in water activities that require caution and expertise.

I give Island of the Lost Girls 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. It is available on VOD and DVD October 3, 2023. So look for it! By Hanadie K., KIDS FIRST!

As an adult I kept having to remind myself that this is a fantasy. Filmed in La Jolla Shores, La Jolla Cove and Sea Caves, and Anacapa Island. What would jar me occasionally were things like an East Coast Blue Crab on the beach in La Jolla Shores, or three girls drifting 100 miles to Anacapa Island. Parents at La Jolla Shores ignoring a surf board with three small girls drifting offshore. But then I would remind myself that this was a family production of a fantasy, and then the scale of the endeavor would hit me. A book, a story, a movie, all produced and acted by one family, and I would be amazed again.

If you want to watch a movie where the storyline is absurd and you spend about an hour watching three little girls get into the most ridiculous predicaments back to back then this trainwreck is your movie. My youngest daughter got so scared she ran out of the room. I have four daughters and they all agree it's just absurd.

If the attempt was to make a feel-good movie about sisterhood they failed at that too. The far majority of the dialogue is three little girls screaming.

Each challenge these three face (including several near-drowning moments) are nerve-racking and quite disturbing considering the main acresses are kids.

First off, I have to give Kudos to the director, screen writer, and actors. About 20 min into the movie I said - this film seems like it was written, directed, and filmed by these 3 girls - Turns out I was almost 100% correct. I my whole family enjoyed the film. My two youngest kids, 5 and 7 did find it to be intense at times and they were so drawn into the lives of the characters that they were legitimately concerned for the girls safety. This would be such a hard film to make. Working with young actors on the water and in the wild would be so difficult. The movie despite being a bit cheesy at times was still well done. Kudos tot he actors and the Schmidt family has our full support. Hoping that producing this film didn't break them and make them not want to produce any more as Im sure towards the end it become a labor of love. Thanks for making something that the whole family could sit down and watch.