The Island

(Sci-Fi/ Thriller/ Drama)

Director Michael Bay, of "Armageddon" and "Pearl Harbor" fame, puts everything he's got into this year's sci-fi thriller, "The Island", apparently to show his audience that he can handle spectacular scenes in this genre just as well. Bay noted that the movie script was first discovered by Steven Spielberg, who then named him as director, but added that he tends to not pick sci-fi material because he feels that these films tend to deliberately try to mystify. However, "The Island" is filled with humanity and connections to our everyday lives. Although cruel and harsh, one can picture this plot taking place in the future.
Warner Brothers Studio and Dreamworks invested a total of US$150 million in this story about the struggle between the good and evil natures of human beings. In the middle of the 21st century, human evolution has come to a standstill; there have been enormous breakthroughs in the fields of medicine pertaining to the extension of human life, anti-aging measures and the fighting of diseases. People live in controlled-but-safe and stress-free environments where everything is provided by the central government and everyone leads long, healthy lives.
However, people dream about heading to "the island", a paradise on earth which only the "chosen ones" go. Lincoln's (Ewan McGregor) sweetheart, Jordan (Scarlett Johansson), is selected to go. Unwilling to part with Jordan, Lincoln accidentally discovers the truth about "the island".

Like "The Island of Dr. Moreau", "The Beach", "The Sixth Day" and "Dirty Pretty Things", this film explores the theme of what happens when humans try to play the role of creator. Bay also adds his own brand of action and tension filled special effects to the film, making it both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Actors McGregor and Johansson experienced Bay's madness when they were asked to take part in many dangerous scenes. This led them to wryly remark that, had there really been clones available, it would have been preferable for them to do these dangerous stunts instead. A good thing, perhaps, that Bay himself wasn't cloned because, as they say, one madman on the set is enough!

Release Date: 2005/07/22
Rating: n/a
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Bean, Michael Clark Duncan
By RenTian-Au Translated by Cara Steenstra
Photos by Warner Bros. (F.E.) Inc.
For specific showing times, please refer to theatre notices.