The Island

Starring: Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Sean Bean, Steve Buscemi, Djimon Hounsou
Directed by: Michael Bay
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Science Fiction
2005

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: Lincoln (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan (Scarlett Johansson) discover they are actually human clones and their entire life has been a lie. They attempt to escape from the facility holding them and go on the run from their "inventors."

Review:

Tim: This is a big action flop (although not quite a disaster) that despite what its coward punk producers would have you believe, is not due to its stars, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. On the contrary, it is due to a weak script that seems completely recycled from films like The Matrix, The 6th Day, and others. The movie just doesn't impact us in any way, and we can simply shrug it off with no consequences.

McGregor is good, but not great. He makes a stylish action hero, and I hope this experience doesn't sour him on big American action flicks. Johansson continues her amazingly strong streak of impressing audiences. I have heard her called an old, glamorous movie star in the body of a young woman. She is equally stunning in low budget indie dramas like Ghost World and Lost in Translation as she is in big budget action films like The Island. She has some unexplainable charm that makes her fun to watch on screen.

While the vast majority of the movie is all crap we've seen before, there are a few moments that stand out. Especially fantastic is the aerocar chase. The scenes are extremely exciting, features some awe-inspiring crashes and collisions, and are the best scenes of the film. The gigantic letter R falling off the side of the building (which immediately follows the previously mentioned aerocar scenes) is also quite good.

The film's supporting cast is decent. Michael Clarke Duncan is completely wasted. Sean Bean and Steve Buscemi do adequate jobs in small roles. Djimon Hounsou is excellent, but he always manages to be.

The Island is a weak conglomeration of previous films that offers little incentive for you to see it. Don't bother.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 6.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Matrix trilogy, The 6th Day, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Lost in Translation