Thursday, July 28, 2005

The Island

Starring: Ewen McGregor, Scarlet Johansson

Directed by: Michael Bay

"We will finally be able to conquer death"
-Tony Goldwyn (The 6th Day)

Imagine a world where it was possible that you could get a new brain if yours died? Imagine a world where death was not an option. Imagine a life without fear of death. The answer to that question is cloning. Lincoln Six-Echo (McGregor) is a resident of a facility in an undisclosed location. The environment is closely watched and controlled and Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to the "The Island," reportedly the last uncontaminated spot on the planet. But he begins to ask questions about his existence. He wonders if his life is really what it seems. Then he finds out that his life is a lie. He and all of the other inhabitants of the facility are actually human clones whose only purpose is to provide "spare parts" for their original human counterparts. Lincoln decides to escape before he is killed with a fellow resident named Jordan Two-Delta (Johansson). Pursued by the forces of the institute that once housed them, Lincoln and Jordan engage in a race for their lives to find out who they are and what their purpose is.

Steve Buscemi gives a great supporting performance as a "Janitor" of some sort. He eventually helps the two escape. Sean Bean has his typical role in the film. He is the doctor of the Island when actually he is the founder and owner of this organization therefore being the antagonist.

Michael Bay is the least respected filmmaker in Hollywood. His other films (Pearl Harbor, Armageddon, Bay Boys II) have been hacked by numerous critics and audiences around the country. In The Island, Bay starts off with the bang. The first hour of the film is a deeply, disturbing science fiction film. Then it's all about the action. Yes, action is great but it leaves unanswered questions at the end of the film. It is a good, solid film and it falls shy of greatness because of an ending that fails to realize what the film is all about.

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