The Island (DVD, 2005, Widescreen)

...so-to-speak. I have wanted to get this DVD for quite sometime now, but I could never find it at any of the major electronics retailers that I frequent, so I locked this title into my eBay item search function. After being 'sniped-out' a few times, I was finally able to procure a copy of my own.

Synopsis:

This film is more or less a modern 'take' on the Logan's Run film from 1976, but here we see adults from about twenty to sixty years of age whom we later discover are in fact clones of 'real' people (sponsors) living on 'the outside'. The clones have been created and raised within an abandoned underground military base somewhere in the Arizona desert. Their only desire from birth is to become a 'winner' of a lottery - the grand prize = being permanently transferred to 'The Island'. Unknown to the clones, 'The Island' is actually a fictitious place inbred into the minds of the clones during their indoctrination/brain washing at birth (their birthing process actually looks more like the 'hatching' from an egg).

One clone, however, Lincoln 6 Echo (played by Ewan McGregor) eventually learns of the truth about 'The Island' and of the fact that clones are in fact worth more dead than alive (as they're used for organ harvesting for their 'sponsors'); i.e., a win to 'The Island' means certain death for the clone as it's actually 'harvest time'. Upon learning that his companion Jordan 2 Delta (played by the beautiful Scarlett Johansson) has been named the next 'winner' of relocation to 'The Island', he and Jordan escape to 'the outside'. Lincoln then locates James McCord (played by Steve Buscemi who portrays an equipment repair tech from 'the outside' and who has befriended Lincoln) who helps Lincoln and Jordan escape to Los Angeles, CA - where Lincoln has previously learned where his own sponsor resides. BTW, he actually resides in San Pedro, CA.

Once in Los Angeles, it's continual action when Lincoln and Jordan elude the police in their attempt to escape The Island's security forces in their hunt for Lincoln's sponsor. During the chase scenes, we see plenty of '05 Chrysler 300s and Dodge 'Magnums' in action, as well as the Cadillac 'Sixteen' concept. Upon finally meeting his sponsor face-to-face, Lincoln is quickly double-crossed and a fight ensues. Believing the sponsor to actually be the clone, the security forces unknowingly eliminate the wrong individual, and Lincoln simply walks away as if he were in fact the sponsor himself. Lincoln develops a plan with Jordan to infiltrate 'The Island' and destroy the cloning equipment and they eventually succeed in doing so.

This movie was very entertaining, the acting was quite good, and the special effects were all well done. The flying motorcycles were 'slick', but I surely hated to see so many customized 300s, Magnums, and even a new Hummer SUT get destroyed during the process. If you like a lot of action, then grab a copy of this movie here on eBay for yourself as well.

The Island is Michael Bay's latest explosion filled offering. Its set in the future where rich people pay to have themselves cloned to help extend their lives. It stars Ewan Mcgregor and Scarlet Johansson who both turn in decent performances amid the repetitive car chases, shootouts, and explosions. The movie opens with McGregor and Johansson living idyllic but controlled lives in an enclosed facility. Every facit of their lives are monitored right down to their diet. The highlight of their lives is the lottery where if they win they are supposedly allowed to leave the island.

Macgregor soon starts to have his doubts about his society. He confides in Johansson and Steve Buscemi who plays a repairman; Buscemi is excellent as usual. Eventually Macgregor discovers that the clones are being kept in case the sponsor needs some extra parts. They soon escape and Bay is back in his element with the car chases, shootouts, etc.

The first half of this movie was quite enjoyable mostly due to the acting and the mood that Bay sets. The second half of the film is just silly chase after chase. Overall this is an average film that had a lot of potential but just fell flat after things started blowing up.

A similar but better film is Logan's Run. It was released in 1976 and starred Michael York and Richard Jordan, with Farrah Fawcett in a supporting role. While the special effects are cheesy by today's standards the story is darker and the acting is better.

I belive this movie was highly underated. I've seen 3 movies from its director, Michael Bay, and I think this one is the best. I actually found this movie highly enjoyable and I would recommend to buy it since you may want to watch it several times.

"The Island" is an original, intriguing and scary view of science, ethic and society in a near future. Using elements of "Logan's Run", "Matrix", "Gattaca" and "The Thirteenth Floor", among other sci-fi movies, and non-stop action, it is a surprisingly great film. I liked very much the amoral behavior of Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean), with a total lack of ethic, and the possibility of replacement parts raised in the story. Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor shows a good chemistry, and watching this sci-fi / action movie is worthwhile, even to think how cloning process shall be discussed by the society and controlled through well-studied laws.

The Island tells the story of a corporate conspiracy in which customers buying a top-end "health insurance policy" are unaware that their "policy" -- which will provide them organs, tissues in the event of an illness or accident -- is actually a living person. The policy holders are told the company creates clones who never achieve consciousness, so it's not cruel. Secretly, however, the company has discovered clones -- and their organs -- will not survive unless the clone experience life. In order to protect its secret and its profits, the company keeps the clones hidden and lies, telling the clones they cannot survive outside the compound because the earth is contaminated.

The two main characters are clones who discover the truth and escape. What I like best about the story is the fact that it is so realistic. It's not like companies that lie and cheat to make a profit don't exist already.

You, the viewer, discover the truth with the characters. It is not obvious up front. To cover for the deaths of those who need to file claims on their "policy," the clone population is told the missing people won the lottery and left to live on "the island," the only remaining place on earth that is not contaminated. You follow the characters through their journey as they come to terms with the fact that everything they know and believe about themselves and the world is a lie and that they are regardes as mere "products."

The action in the movie is, IMHO, a little over the top. There's no way two people would survive the kinds of stunts these two complete during their escape. But part of the fun of a movie is setting aside that disbelief and just enjoying the ride.

The characters are real and not trite, with some surprises in terms of both character development and the resulting plot. Great soundtrack too.

This movie is fascinating to watch!From its first beginning scenes of breathtaking ocean footage I was mesmerized. In fact, I have already seen the movie twice which is rare for me because I usually care little for science fiction or violence. For me, elements of the plot and actions of the villainous Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean) mimic what is going on in our present day America. Like Dr. Merrick, the powers that be influence (program?) us to think certain ways for their own good not ours! I hope that viewers of this movie will start to think more for themselves.
I also liked how Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson played their unselfish characters in the real world adding a great touch of humor. If our present world continues much longer I predict that this movie will grow greatly in popularity because there isn't another one to match it. Catch it while you can!