THE ISLAND
DVD Review by David Blackwell
DETAILS: 136 minutes, audio commentary, action sequences featurette
STUDIO: Dreamworks/ Warner Brothers
RELEASE DATE: 12-14-2005
Color me surprised that Michael Bay has actually directed a very good
sci-fi movie. THE ISLAND has action, but the script builds an interesting story with compelling questions. The first hour
builds the plot before turning into an action movie. THE ISLAND isn't a loud MTV movie like the films Bay directed for producer
Jerry Bruckheimer. Bay actually gets to deliver a decent movie. THE ISLAND resolves around two people Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan
McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson) who believe they're in a future where the outside is a wasteland except
for a place called The Island where only those selected by the Lottery can go. Lincoln discovers the truth and knows Jordan
is slated to be killed since she won the Lottery. They escape the high tech complex to discover a world unlike they have ever
known. The big realization is that they're clones. Merrick (Sean Bean),
the doctor watching over them sends a mercenary team (led by Djimoun
Hounsou) to bring the two clones back dead or alive because he can't risk the society of 2050 United States knowing he is
raising clones and letting them live until their originals need a replacement organ. THE ISLAND is a scary view of the future
and looks into the ethics of cloning. Would we have the right to create clones if they had life experiences and wanted to
live as much as we do even though we need their organs? Don't miss out on one of the best sci-fi films of 2005.
VIDEO: 2.40:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen)
AUDIO: English 5.1 Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, English Captions
The transfer is fantastic, vivid, and sharp. The dialogue is clear while
the amazing score is beautifully displayed.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The audio commentary with director Michael Bay provides
an interesting track about the movie's production and marketing. He wished he could have reshot the climatic fight sequence,
had to fight for some scenes to be in the movie, and thought Warner Brothers did a better job promoting THE ISLAND overseas.
A behind-the-scenes featurette looks at the freeway action sequence (and other action scenes) and the many elements that went
into it.
FINAL ANALYSIS: THE ISLAND is one of the best sci-fi films of 2005 that
Dreamworks poorly promoted and now it is the chance for the film to be redeemed in the USA on DVD.
this review is (c)3-7-2006 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted
without permission (except for excerpts and a link to the review). Look for additional content at http://enterlinemedia.livejournal.com and send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
