The 6th Day Details

Director Roger Spottiswoode provides another satisfying slice of science-fiction action for star Arnold Schwarzenegger in this fast-paced futuristic thriller. Exploring similar themes to Total Recall, it depicts the moral hell that could be unleashed if DNA tampering isn't properly regulated. When ex-fighter pilot Schwarzenegger discovers he has been illegally cloned, he embarks on a turbo-charged mission to get his identity back and expose the corrupt organisation behind the experiment. Even if the plot doesn't bear close scrutiny, the movie packs some surprise twists and builds to a chilling climax. Schwarzenegger looks a little too old and tired for the kick-ass lead, and his stiffly delivered, trademark one-liners often get in the way of the serious issues raised. Fortunately, heavyweight support from the likes of Robert Duvall and Michael Rooker amply compensates. This is what sci-fi film-making should be about — dark speculation, a sense of wonder and ace special effects.

An action film that gains from its topical theme; the violence here has been toned down in comparison to that found in Schwarzenegger's earlier movies.