Read Positive User Reviews for The Island (2005)

9

RikiegeJan 23, 2013

One of the best science fiction movies I've seen in my life. Good performances and a spectacular argument.

18 of 19 users found this helpful181

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10

LoRevisorJan 29, 2015

Obra-Prima de Michael Bay o gênio mais subestimado da história do cinema!!!! pelos críticos e pelo público imbecil!!!! Vale mencionar que são os americanos imbecis!!!!!!. Agora deixar eu respirar um pouco,The Island é um dos melhores filmesObra-Prima de Michael Bay o gênio mais subestimado da história do cinema!!!! pelos críticos e pelo público imbecil!!!! Vale mencionar que são os americanos imbecis!!!!!!. Agora deixar eu respirar um pouco,The Island é um dos melhores filmes de ficção científica de ação de todos os tempos!!!,Com atuações impecáveis de Scarlett Johansson,Ewan McGregor,Sean Bean,Steve Buscemi,Michael Clarke Duncan e Djimon Hounsou com cenas de ação impressionantes,além disso no final se mostra um filme bem emocionante.… Expand

78 of 83 users found this helpful785

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10

David_HJul 12, 2015

I believe this is the first 10 i've given a movie. i liked it enough to purchase a DVD copy of it. Bay is known for his action and he certainly delivers here. This is a very unique plot line that has not been explored before. ScarlettI believe this is the first 10 i've given a movie. i liked it enough to purchase a DVD copy of it. Bay is known for his action and he certainly delivers here. This is a very unique plot line that has not been explored before. Scarlett Johansson is the most beautiful i've ever seen her in a film, Sean Bean is as intense and excellent as ever. Keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout, definitely in my top 10 of all time.… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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10

Von-DrakoMay 26, 2019

Awesome...Camera, plot, acters...everything is working together. Final product is perfect.

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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10

RickyReviewsMar 26, 2016

I really enjoyed this film. Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johannson were both great, as was Steve Buscemi. Truly a new favorite. It has a bit of sci fi, romance, and humor built into it. A must see!

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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10

SolariumJan 12, 2020

The Island is a science fiction masterpiece. The acting by Ewan and Scarlett is outstanding. The action sequences are dazzling and the cinematography is impressive. The plot is also convoluted and mysterious if you go into the movie knowingThe Island is a science fiction masterpiece. The acting by Ewan and Scarlett is outstanding. The action sequences are dazzling and the cinematography is impressive. The plot is also convoluted and mysterious if you go into the movie knowing nothing anything about the storyline.… Expand

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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10

PerineumJan 14, 2020

Astonishing ! --------------------------------------------------------------

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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10

CarnivalApr 18, 2021

The opening landscapes were filmed off New Zealand while the boat scenes were shot near Italy.

8 of 8 users found this helpful80

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9

gracjanskiDec 4, 2020

The story is hard and very interesting, imagine contamination = Corona. Also the world of the island is well done, not only the city, but also the institute. Only the 2nd part is not so thrilling like the beginning. Anyway this is the bestThe story is hard and very interesting, imagine contamination = Corona. Also the world of the island is well done, not only the city, but also the institute. Only the 2nd part is not so thrilling like the beginning. Anyway this is the best Michael Bay movie in my view.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

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10

MaxkhoNov 11, 2020

Incredible movie. It's one of those rare, rare movies which actually grabs your attention and keeps you as engaged with the plot as you would be if you were in the shoes of the character throughout the entire length of the movie. It isn't aIncredible movie. It's one of those rare, rare movies which actually grabs your attention and keeps you as engaged with the plot as you would be if you were in the shoes of the character throughout the entire length of the movie. It isn't a masterpiece, and it's not going to transport you to different dimensions or produce some life-altering experiences, but it's a very engaging movie, and if you, like me, feel like you have already exhausted the list of all good sci-fi movies, this is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

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10

Emanate727Apr 5, 2021

A classic, one of the best action movies of 2005. The Island has epic action, acting and a brilliant storyline. Mesh all these elements together and you have an amazing film.

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

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10

AmuletApr 19, 2021

A 45-minute preview of the film was shown to the press at the Cannes Film Festival.

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

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10

SputterApr 21, 2021

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10

Vial44Apr 30, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The buttons used to open doors in the living quarters are actually Griffin PowerMate USB Volume Controls, used normally for Mac computers to adjust volume.… Expand

7 of 7 users found this helpful70

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10

Anisette570Jul 6, 2021

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7 of 7 users found this helpful70

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9

survivorfan989Feb 23, 2019

A strong Action/Sci-Fi with two solid leads and an interesting concept that will hold your attention.

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

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10

DefameApr 28, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In one scene in the movie, a Bugatti Veyron is seen driving down a street in the background. Currently the Bugatti is sold for 1.25 million dollars, and only about fifty are made yearly.… Expand

6 of 6 users found this helpful60

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10

BisectApr 16, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. At around one hour and thirteen minutes. The black and white commercial featuring Sarah Jordan wasn't shot specifically for the movie; it is an actual commercial starring Scarlett Johansson.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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10

BaskApr 23, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Michael Bay drove behind a flatbed truck carrying train wheels on the highway leaving Palmdale, and, noticing how dangerous it looked, was inspired to create a destructive chase scene involving one.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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10

ConsortApr 24, 2021

One of the camera cars is nicknamed the "Bay buster" for obvious reasons, The car can "crash into vehicles at 60 to 70 miles per hour without getting cameramen killed or hurt

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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10

ProlificApr 25, 2021

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4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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10

DiameterApr 28, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Michael Bay expressed disappointment with the climatic fight between Lincoln and Merrick, saying that he had originally planned a much more elaborate set piece, but their budget was running low, and the action had to be improvised on sets that weren't easy to stage stunts on.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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10

Exigent93Jun 4, 2021

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10

ReceptacleJun 22, 2021

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3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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10

Xenophobe114Jun 24, 2021

One Of The Best Action Sci-FI Movies Of All Time

This just goes to show you that the critics wouldn't know a good movie if it bit them. I understand that this movie didn't do well at the box office, and I believe it when they say that it isOne Of The Best Action Sci-FI Movies Of All Time

This just goes to show you that the critics wouldn't know a good movie if it bit them. I understand that this movie didn't do well at the box office, and I believe it when they say that it is because of a really bad marketing campaign, because this movie is totally riveting. This is what good entertainment is all about. Everything about this flick is first rate, from the cast (LOVE Scarlett Johansson) to the writing to the incredible cinematography and absolute killer special effects to...you name it. How a movie THIS good went unnoticed is truly beyond me. DO yourself a favor, sit back with a big tub of popcorn and get ready to bliss out.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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10

Shroud189Jun 26, 2021

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3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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10

Palindrome704Jun 27, 2021

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3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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10

Libation70Aug 1, 2021

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10

Lanyard980Aug 7, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Best futuristic movie ever made.

Definitely one of the best movies I've ever seen, perhaps the best!! The story is great, it starts with a very weird setting where you understand absolutely nothing of where it takes place and what's going on and then everything comes clear and the adventure begins. All the mechanisms invented in this movie are outstanding, exactly as it could be if this future would ever come true and it under lights a very dark aspect of human nature, in this sense it's very realistic. The action is great, absolutely the best I've ever seen, the picture, video and audio are perfect, it's I think the best production ever made, perfect in everything!! The performances of the actors are high class indeed, I don't know how Ewan Mcgregor being from Scotland can imitate so well the American accent, Scarlett Johansson very good looking and definitely up to the role she's been assigned, Sean Bean always great as the bad guy and Djimon Hounsou came quite well as the cool guy(definitely his part!!). Not a film to miss, if you never saw it I highly advise you to watch it, even if you wouldn't like it that much it has a moral that in my opinion has to be transmitted to everyone. Of course it is very exaggerated and a series of events like these would never happen in real life, but like I always say, if you don't see things like these in movies, where else would you!!??… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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10

VinnyVJun 29, 2009

Amazing Movie, It has action, love, humor, and conspiracy all mixed into one. Definitely a good one.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

10

AssonanceMay 4, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Michael Bay met Djimon Hounsou years prior when Bay was a music video director with Propaganda Films and Hounsou was a model with Omar's Modeling Agency which was located across the street. The model wanted to be an actor so Bay told him to work on his accent.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Xlyophone199May 6, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Michael Bay recalled the scene where Lincoln Six Echo and Tom Lincoln fight, as long and tedious to shoot, since it took half an hour to change Ewan McGregor's clothes between each shot so he could play both characters.

The black yacht in the dreams of Lincoln Six Echo, shown later in the film (the Renovatio) is the Wallypower 118 super yacht. The boat is built almost entirely out of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and glass with a teak-deck. The boat features three Vericor TF50 gas turbines, providing a total power output is 16,800 horsepower (12,500 kW).… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Chassis28May 7, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Character Error

About 1:22:45, during part of a long vehicular (and helicopter) chase scene, one of Laurant's team helicopter pilots says "gotta bail out; police choppers inbound." In fact, not one single police helicopter shows up at all, from that point on.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Chignon24May 10, 2021

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2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Atrium89May 24, 2021

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2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Catenary44Jun 6, 2021

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10

Aerialist277Jun 18, 2021

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2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Stagger74Jul 11, 2021

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2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

Acquit77Jul 16, 2021

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2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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10

PaulD.Oct 17, 2005

Awesome movie...nuff said.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

10

wafia.Jan 5, 2006

It was a great movie, with a creative Idea about cloning , beside my special love to scarlet!!!

1 of 1 users found this helpful

10

Parasol92Aug 10, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A highly enjoyable Sci-Fi-Action Flick !!!!

I really enjoyed this movie. I saw it in a sold-out theater full of movie goers and heard all positive remarks from everyone afterward. People applauded at the end and there were plenty of gasps, laughs, and just all around positive reactions throughout the movie. I think the audience reaction during and after a movie speaks volumes. It also received equal enthusiasm from both the men and women in the audience. I thought the story was very interesting and I liked that it focused so much on the feelings of the characters. But it also was a great action movie with amazing special effects, suspense, humor, a little bit of romance, bad guys and good guys, and yet still a general theme that gives us all something to think about. (The issue of cloning). I enjoyed all of the acting by a very diverse cast. Ewan McGregor shines once again, this time doubly so in his dual roles as a clone and his original. I felt this movie got you involved with the main characters on a personal level and keeps you pulling for them all the way. One or two of the action scenes may be a bit incredible, but I think that if you go in to a movie like this wanting strictly reality, you're missing the point of just sitting back and losing yourself in a bit of emotional fun for a while. I give it my highest rating for a fun movie!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

RialtoAug 12, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Very intense action/romance/mystery/thriller/conspiracy flick from Michael Bay. Michael Bay's best movies are The Rock, Bad Boys, Armageddon and The Island, out of the cluster of his cinematic repertoire.

I was really surprised at how much I laughed during this film. Make no mistake, there are some very intense and troubling parts of this film, but there is also a lot of good-natured humor in it. Ewan McGregor plays the perfect "innocent", too, which is where much of the comedy comes from.

If you like to see things go *boom*, this film will give you the most "bang for your buck" that I've ever seen. I was afraid it would be too similar to Logan's Run or the Matrix to be interesting, but it was really a very well written, directed and acted sci-fi action movie. You'll love it !!!!… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

Vicinity578Aug 15, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Ostrov je fenomenální akční thriller. Myšlenky, akce, herectví a zvraty jsou odborně navrženy režisérem Michaelem Bayem. Michael do tohoto filmu vložil své plné srdce, stejně jako herecké obsazení bylo oslnivé. Jeden z 10 nejlepších filmů roku 2005, který nebyl uveden na trh a měl být úspěšnější na domácím trhu, devět z deseti.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

AbolishAug 17, 2021

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

Abbatoir89Sep 4, 2021

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

HealingToolboxOct 13, 2020

Ahead of its time, THE 2020 movie. The best movie about 2020 with the most bland un-helpful title ever.

If you dislike Michael Bay films, this is before he went wild and destruction-crazy with too much money to spend. This is the moreAhead of its time, THE 2020 movie. The best movie about 2020 with the most bland un-helpful title ever.

If you dislike Michael Bay films, this is before he went wild and destruction-crazy with too much money to spend. This is the more restrained, more story-driven Michael Bay. If you, like me in 2020, believe a normal year of flu was blown up into a pandemic scare and flawed then criminally prolonged shutdown of the economy. This has every feature you would want in a fable where the sheeple wake up and do become pro-active about taking power back into their own lives. The waking-up sheeple are aided and supported by a Black Lives Matter villain who becomes their supporter. I saw it in 2005, loved it. Watched it again in Oct 2020. Ten times more more timely and relevant now than in 2005. Top drawer acting, directing and special effects. Alex Kurtzman, the current head of Star Trek on CBS, was one of the writers. This is another of his excellent earlier efforts. You will see many well-known actors at their peak or early roles here, a welcome sight. This has one of the most fun, car destruction derby scenes ever made. Yes, this is the one where the roll heavy rail train wheels off the back of a truck into on-coming bad-guy traffic. Classic and rarely if ever excelled. Q: Why did it only make its production cost back in 2005?
A: I think its was too far ahead of its time. It's also a long movie with a slow build-up to much third act action. I think what was learned from scripts like this was to start off with some action even if you have to go back and slow down to build up to the climax.… Expand

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

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10

Autopsy904Jun 13, 2021

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3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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10

Embalmer98Jun 10, 2021

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10

RindApr 23, 2021

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10

Pluto744Jun 19, 2021

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3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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7

HansFlicksJul 5, 2013

Michael Bay is not a name that is frequently associated with films that are particularly profound. The Island doesn't buck this trend entirely, but does more than enough to cement its place as his most cerebral work to date.

The scienceMichael Bay is not a name that is frequently associated with films that are particularly profound. The Island doesn't buck this trend entirely, but does more than enough to cement its place as his most cerebral work to date.

The science fiction aesthetic at work here is by far the easiest with which to suspend disbelief. The environments are futuristic, but not so much so that the world feels alien at any point. There are, however, some issues with consistency in the dates given for when these events are taking place, but the specifics are not where the film's magnetism lies.

The story is centred on a moral dilemma, posing a number of philosophical questions in the process. It also taps into a topical discussion on the implications of growing replacement organs and the kind of scenarios that this might lead to. The breadth of the exploration isn't particularly far-reaching, but is mostly responsible for the more intelligent elements of the film. It gives the rest of the action a weightier feel, preventing this from becoming just another explosive romp completely devoid of a brain. It won't keep you up at night, but the plot is sturdy enough to provoke at least some contemplation as the narrative plays out.

There is a noticeable shift in pace after the initial scene setting has been done, the action set pieces coming thick and fast. Bay tends to split opinion as a film-maker, but there can be no doubt that he is very good indeed at what he does. There are sometimes criticisms levelled that the sequences he brings to the screen are somewhat repetitive across movies (think highway chase scenes with cars being flipped like Matchbox toys and a skyscraper's worth of breaking glass). There may be some credence to this, but for me, it doesn't make it any less breathtaking to experience when the picture is in full flow.

As for the performances, all concerned put in decent displays, with the highlight being Steve Buscemi. His ability to carry a scene is just as potent here as it has ever been, bringing some light relief in the process and pushing the movie forward. The remainder of the supporting cast also throws up some pleasant surprises, the childlike attitude of a few of the characters affording ample opportunity for the actors to have some fun.… Expand

4 of 20 users found this helpful416

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8

TornadoCreatorApr 21, 2016

I never would have expected this but Michael Bay of all directors has managed to create a genuinely great science fiction story with a consistent cyber-punk aesthetic, interesting story, and some admittedly over the top but ultimatelyI never would have expected this but Michael Bay of all directors has managed to create a genuinely great science fiction story with a consistent cyber-punk aesthetic, interesting story, and some admittedly over the top but ultimately entertaining action set pieces. Considering this director has repeatedly shown that he's got little to no understanding of how human being act, creating emotionally stunted human being with purposefully child-like outlooks who are forced to face up to the reality that they exist only to be abused and taken advantage of by the rich and powerful, in the name of greed; that was a challenge I never would have expected him to live up to.

This is hardly new concepts, it's a downtrodden repressed underclass of people breaking the shackles of their oppressors and fighting back against corporate greed story; it's a classic and in many ways that's what makes this work so well. The two main characters are particularly well written and the subtle hints of a romance sub-plot are handled both with restraint and dignity, which was especially shocking.

This film is great fun and I thoroughly recommend it to everyone, but anyone who enjoys action, sci-fi, or particularly the cyberpunk sub-genre; this is a film you're absolutely love.… Expand

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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7

StaticSpineOct 18, 2014

Actually I liked the first part of the movie better, it was more moody, and the second one was traditional Michael Bay's pew-pew bang-bang action with "sentiments". Still, an okay-ish sci-fi movie overall.

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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7

Delta_AssaultSep 28, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just rewatched The Island yesterday, and it reaffirmed my belief that it's one of Michael Bay's best films. The central message behind the film might be obscured by all the overblown **** crazy action scenes, but I believe it's an important one and I'm glad he got it out there in a mainstream film. It's no Never Let Me Go, but the marriage of action and speculative fiction worked for me. The one issue I have with the film is the black mercenary who turns good at the end. That felt completely ridiculous and unearned. This guy comes into the film and has his men murder McCord, murder a couple of hapless police officers, and he himself mistakenly murders Tom Lincoln. Yet at the end of the film, he has this sudden change of heart, does a complete 180, and gets to walk off smiling into the camera at the end with an "Oh, you feisty clones... you whippersnappers you, go and have some fun, you've earned it!" expression. That was complete **** **** you movie, I'm not gonna applaud this man. If he'd actually shot who he'd intended to, he wouldn't be looking at Lincoln Six Echo kissing Jordan Two Delta at the end there, because Lincoln would be dead.… Expand

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7

FlickFreaks83Dec 11, 2015

If there are lots of flashes and bangs, and smoke and fire, either your car has just rear-ended a Pinto or Michael Bay has made a new movie. Sometimes, both are disasters. In the case of The Island, there's enough fun to be had that it'sIf there are lots of flashes and bangs, and smoke and fire, either your car has just rear-ended a Pinto or Michael Bay has made a new movie. Sometimes, both are disasters. In the case of The Island, there's enough fun to be had that it's almost possible to ignore the stupidity of the story and the cavity that replaces character development. This is a non-interactive video game demo crossed with an amusement park ride. It offers plenty of thrills but nothing else. It looks and sounds good, but satisfies only on the most primal level. For some, this will be enough. Calling The Island a "popcorn, old-fashioned summer movie" is fair, but it's also sad, since it could have been more. But movies that aim low rarely achieve any kind of altitude.

For Michael Bay, this is an opportunity to strike into new territory. This is the first directorial outing in which he has not been partnered with producer Jerry Bruckheimer. It isn't apparent - the movie is just as loud and action-oriented as anything he did with Bruckheimer. In Bay's canon, The Island ranks second - behind the filmmaker's only truly good movie, The Rock, but ahead of such memorable epics as Armageddon,Pearl Harbor, and Bad Boys II. The Island, like Bay, delivers what's expected, and not a thing more. And, although it engaged me during most of its two-plus hour running length, I left the theater feeling a hollow and even a little let down.

To the extent that it takes place in a futuristic setting, The Island functions as science fiction. Really, though, the 2090 locales are just excuses to make things look a little more exotic. The central conceit - cloning - turns into a plot device. Despite the richness of the premise, which asks a number of bio-ethical questions, there is little room for complex moral conundrums once the adrenaline starts pumping. And, for a movie that opens in a field of ideas, it comes as a disappointment to learn that the conclusion is just a big fight with lots of things blowing up. (Rumor has it that the original script, penned by Caspian Tredwell-Owen before Bay became involved and brought in Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci, was more thoughtful and intelligent than the final project. Tredwell-Owen is remaining mum about his opinion of the final product, probably because Dreamworks paid him $1 million for the rights.)

The Island is reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Total Recall, which used science fiction ideas as a backdrop for lots of fights, chases, and other assorted excitement. Overall, Recall did a better job, at least in the story department. The action is superior in The Island, but that's probably to be expected, since the bar has been raised considerably since 1989. Others may be reminded of The Matrix and Minority Report, but The Island isn't in the same league. Those two movies were the complete package - not only did they follow through on their tantalizing ideas, but they offered a near-perfect mix of adrenaline and testosterone. They leave The Island bobbing far in their wake.

As disposable entertainment, The Island does what it is supposed to do. There are two remarkable car chases (one featuring oversized barbells), flawless interaction between two identical McGregors (one with an American accent, the other with his proper one), some really big explosions, and enough sequences to make a video game designer smile. Don't expect filet mignon with The Island; this is hamburger. If Martin Scorsese is a fine steak house, then Michael Bay is MacDonald's. And watching the movie is akin to eating in that place. It's fast, greasy, and fills an immediate need, but you'd better have the Rolaids handy for the indigestion that follows.… Expand

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7

MaddoxWhiteApr 25, 2021

Really weird trip of a movie. Kinda like Truman Show but with generic action scenes thrown in.

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8

TaylorBJan 4, 2010

Excellent movie, lots of action, keeps you rooting for a side. You watch it and find out.