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The Island [2005]


RRP: £18.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

An intriguing action adventure set in the near future, The Island finds those who survived a mass global contamination living in a contained and highly controlled world. Their actions are controlled, their lives are routine, and the only hope is to win lottery and be sent to a mysterious island, the so-called last surviving, uncontaminated paradise on the planet.

Naturally enough, things are quite what they initially seem, at least in the eyes of Ewan McGregror’s Johnny Two Alpha. Along with Scarlet Johansen’s Jordan Two Delta, they soon find out what happens when you don’t fully comply with the rules of this deeply controlled world, and the stage is thus set for some action-packed cinema.

Given the film’s disappointing box office returns though, you could be forgiven for thinking that all is not well with The Island, and truthfully, it’s a movie with problems. Its pacing feels a little off, and there are moments when the script does the film no favours at all.

Yet take The Island as a popcorn flick, and you’ll more than likely find yourself enjoying a good couple of hours of solid entertainment. Sure, ultimately they could have made more of the premise, and produced a tighter movie. But what’s on screen usually works well enough, and the two stars don’t do badly with the material at their disposal.--Simon Brew

Editorial
Synopsis

In this action thriller from director Michael Bay (PEARL HARBOR, ARMAGEDDON), survivors of global contamination live in a sterile, self-contained world where their every move is monitored. The rules are easy: be pleasant, refrain from asking questions, and don't rock the boat. Everything they need is provided for them, from the white uniforms that magically appear in their closets, to their customized cafeteria-style meals. The survivors all eagerly await their big payoff: winning the lottery and being sent to The Island, the only remaining untainted land in the world. But Lincoln Six-Echo (Ewan McGregor) yearns for more from his life and begins to wonder what really lies outside the thick walls. When his best friend, Jordan Two-Delta (Scarlett Johansson), wins the lottery, he knows that he has to find out the truth about their world before she departs. What he finds is terrifying enough to send Lincoln and Jordan fleeing from the facility to the real world where they quickly discover that they are clones, and that both The Island and global contamination are a ruse. The clones sole purpose is to be harvested for replacement parts when their sponsors need them. With his business now in jeopardy, Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean), the founder of the cloning company, hires a crack team led by Albert Laurent (Djimon Hounsou) to track down his escaped product. Wild chase scenes through Los Angeles circa 2050 are punctuated by high-tech transportation as Lincoln and Jordan run for their lives and try to assimilate into a world that is completely foreign to them. The futuristic set design and visual effects are particularly impressive. McGregor and Johansson both expertly communicate the human element and desire for life that has developed in the two clones, while still finding humour and awe in their childlike naivety.

A film with a split personality.
Review date: 2008-08-13 Rating: 4 out of 10

The film starts with,and initially promisingly develops an intrigueing premise.
However,once the two leading characters escape,either the Director got bored,or there was a change of Directors,because a quiet,introspective film suddenly veers into a series of almighty smash,and wreck,chases which,for me,ruin a film which could have been so much more.


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Reviews


michael bays best film
Review date: 2008-06-07 Rating: 4 out of 10

the first 40 minets are the best thing michael bay has ever done but then after 40 it becomes the same repetertive badly shot drivel that ruined all his other films

The plot just has too many holes
Review date: 2008-03-25 Rating: 4 out of 10

Michael Bay is a director I have a lot of time for - having helmed some of my favourite action movies in the last decade. This movie: The Island was something I missed at the cinema because of bad word of mouth reviews. But it seemed ideal for Friday night DVD and popcorn entertainment.

Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of its A list stars and of Sean Bean who is always entertaining to watch, the story that props up this action fest has just too many holes to engage or entertain. Even as Friday night action fodder you at least need some credible theme running through. But even the Baystacular CGI - save for a short section during the middle of the movie - didn't cover over the cracks.

The best example is the face off between McGregors character and his double. On the face of it this is a key moment as they decide which is the clone and one of them dies. But the whole scene is built around the fact they ar identical and you can't tell which one is which, when we already know the clone has a serial number tattoed on his wrist. So you are thinking 'Just check their wrists!' as Bay does Matrix still revolving camera angles and bullet time as we track the death of the wrong one. There are a whole bunch of moments like this.

Not very good, time to reach for Armageddon.

Great Film
Review date: 2008-01-03 Rating: 8 out of 10

This i found to be a very good film, i was a little weary about it at first but after seeing it for £5.00 i thought why not, theres not alot of action in it, but what action there is in it is very good. The plots very good but cheesy at times, this is a great film from Michael Bay and is worth buying for your collection.

AVOID
Review date: 2007-11-19 Rating: 2 out of 10

Not worth my time writing a review but feeling in a generous mood, I will warn others to stay away. Awful cheesy plot. Who funds these films? I also suspect the colour of certain actors had a strong part to play. How do you spell indoctrination?

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Steve Buscemi
Sean Bean
Scarlett Johansson
Ewan McGregor
Djimon Hounsou

Creators:
Ewan McGregor (Primary Contributor)
Scarlett Johansson (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Warner Home Video
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
EAN: 7321900717304
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, PAL,
Release date: 2006-01-09
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 130 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: French (Subtitled)
Language: Spanish (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: French (Dubbed)

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