Parents' Guide to Return to Nim's Island

Bindi Irwin takes holds of the role of Nim masterfully acted by Abigail Breslin in the 2008 original movie, bringing her characteristic charm to every scene. Irwin is just as comfortable in front of the camera as she is interacting with her supporting animal cast, and, even less surprisingly, she's quite believable in the role of an impassioned wildlife activist who will put her own life in danger to save an animal's. Just as her late father before her, Irwin clearly knows how to strike a balance between entertaining an audience and furthering her conservationist cause. Even though this story is fictional, it raises plenty of points about species endangerment and habitat destruction that families can explore further on their own.

But Irwin isn't the only bright spot in this well-rounded family movie. There's the kind of adventure you can only find in a tricked-out tree-house home complete with zip lines; danger and suspense tempered by just the right level of ineptitude to ensure that the villains aren't too threatening; and a budding, age-appropriate affection between two young teens. Return to Nim's Island is easily enjoyed regardless of whether you've seen the original, but those who do know the back story will especially like that it pays homage to Jodie Foster's role in the first by incorporating the Alex Rover books into the plot.