When good Hollywood directors are on short supply, intransigent cineastes tend to anxiously cling to the auteurs in their midst. Like John Carpenter or Peter Jackson, Michael Bay is one of a diminishing number of true visionaries who even in their flops give us a sample of their genius sending critics and amateur reviewers scrounging to their computers and laps tops to review their films. Because Bay’s film output has been relatively small, reviewers tend to jump on each of his offerings with great enthusiasm, pouncing upon his flicks like rare commodities.


The Island is one such film, instantly identifiable as a Bay work, promising lots of action and adventure like some of his other masterpieces like his 2003 film Bad Boys II. However The Island takes the action to the future starting off with beautiful scenes of deep blue oceans, rock formations mixed with portrait like scenes of actor Ewan McGregor (Lincoln Six Echo) screaming in the water attempting to reach his hand out to Scarlett Johansson, (Jordan Two Echo) with the moments changing to mayhem and chaos with Lincoln Six sleeping on a futuristic white bed. Six is having a bad dream tossing and turning in his bed like a lobster dropped in hot water. Like computer programming Six is told, "You are special, you have a very special purpose in life, you’ve been chosen, the Island awaits you". Six suddenly awakens and reads the green electronic sign mounted in his single bedroom, "Good Morning, Lincoln Six Echo".


This film is loaded with ethical thematic silhouettes centered on basic freedoms, control, corporate greed, and the science of human cloning. From the opening scene where Lincoln is told good morning to the time he walks through the Tranquility Center every point of his life is monitored and controlled. Everyone is dressed alike wearing funky white loose fitting outfits with stylish black trim. Once in the elevator the overhead voice greets Six and the other men crowded into the elevator. The back wall of the elevator is like one giant movie screen designed to program its passengers. On the screen the riders are treated to pictures of the ocean and a massive marketing campaign for the popular, Lottery. The alleged winner of the lottery is supposed to be sent to an island resort. Lottery winners are selected daily. One disgruntled and agitated elevator passenger and friend of Six named Gandu Three Echo angrily admits he has been there seven years and has never won the lottery. Gandu states he is the biggest lottery loser punching the elevator glass in resentment. When the ride is over two security officers dressed in black confront Gandu who sheepishly apologizes for his aggressive and agitated behavior.


Meanwhile, Six Echo is growing increasingly more anxious and unhappy with his restricted mundane life. His nutritional breakfast is practically forced on him by a cafeteria worker who makes my old high school lunch monitor look like a teddy bear. When she squeezes out his oatmeal with a device that looks like a huge oil dispenser from Jiffy Lube, she quickly reminds Six Echo that she is not in the mood for any of his banter directing him to eat what has been provided. At last the lovely and attractive Jordan Two Echo who has observed Six's conflict with the cafeteria worker whispers in his ear to watch how she manipulates to get what she wants for breakfast. As the two show interest in each other a security guard reminds them to watch their close proximity.


After that Six is summoned to meet Doctor Merrick (Steve Buscemi) dressed in a black business suit. Merrick is looking at Two Echo's personal information. Merrick warns Six about his budding friendship with Two asking him about his reoccurring nightmares. The conversation turns argumentative as Six rattles off a number of obvious complaints about wearing white all the time and not being allowed to have bacon for breakfast. Clearly set as the evil protagonist Merrick represents true corporate greed in its attempt to dominate and control society. Merrick wants Six to stop asking questions and be happy his artificially created life. Merrick talks to Six like he is a child telling him he is going to run nice test on him. However once in the chair Six is strapped down like a wild animal as 8 crawling ant like microprocessors are dropped directly into his eye. Six screams how much his hurt while the Merrick calmly tells him, "not really". Merrick explains that for the next 24 hours these processors will record his thoughts and when they pass through his urine, he can expect it to hurt. (Ouch!)


Six continues exploring his environment visiting the Tech Services division of the facility. After discovering a butterfly his thirst for knowledge increases to the point where he explores part of the real world. Meanwhile Two Echo wins the lottery; Six knows the truth about the lottery and becomes distraught. Six finds Two and they both make a run for it in the real world. There are a few shameless marketing plugs mixed into the action. For example in the opening scene when Six is getting dressed there are white and black Puma athletic shoes in his wall mounted sliding clothing draw.


Director Michael Bay takes his time in delivering an action packed flick. The cinematography and special affects are spectacular from the much talked about helicopter scene to the staging of the high tech cloning compound. Actor Ewan McGregor gives an excellent acting performance as the films gentle hero, but the lovely Scarlett Johansson takes the proverbial cake in the good looks department as well as her wonderful onscreen performance. The films heart pumping music is upbeat adding some momentum to the humdrum scenes however it’s the humdrum scenes at the beginning of the film that makes this film tedious and at times laborious. The plot revolves around Six and Two’s discovery of their own humanity as they don’t want to be harvested for their tissue, organs and body parts.


This film is rated PG-13 so don’t let the kiddies talk you into watching this one. While I don’t think the opening urination scene is too bad, the violent scene where McCord (Steve Buscemi) from Tech Services who is trying to help Six and Two escape gets shot is pretty sad. Overall the violence, intense action and sexuality are not suitable for young viewers and there are some parts that are questionable for young teenagers. The scene where the eight ant like machines are dropped into Six Echo’s eye while sitting in the doctors’chair is creepy. To make matters worse the idea of having ant like processors pass through your urine is agonizing. Finally, the clones’ birth process is visually graphic and could make for difficult viewing.


The Island may take some time to get started like a pot roast simmering, but once it’s off the ground you will agree that there are some delicious moments of action. The DVD offers the standard behind the scenes look at the technical wizardry that went into this film. The DVD’s jacket cover does not do this must see movie justice. There are a lot of things about this film that the typical viewer will enjoy, including the stunts, acting and the entire theme of the movie. There are some action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat, but the build up to get to the action is too long. Like the sign posted in Six’s room at the beginning of the film, “Erratic rem sleep cycle detected” there were times at the films introduction where I felt like dozing off. However what kept me interest was the films 1976 Logan's Run presentation where high tech visual effects held my interest. Unfortunately at the end of the day I can only recommend 3 out of 5 stars for this copious 136 minute, tiresomely energetic film that delves into some weighty science fiction action.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older