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The Island
2005
In this action thriller from director Michael Bay (Pearl Harbour, Armageddon), survivors of global contamination live in a sterile, self-contained world where their every move is monitored. The rules are easy: be pleasant, refrain from asking questions, and don't rock the boat. Everything they need is provided for them, from .. Read more
| Starring | Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Bean |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Bay |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Audio Descriptive, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller |
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The Island
In this action thriller from director Michael Bay (Pearl Harbour, Armageddon), survivors of global contamination live in a sterile, self-contained world where their every move is monitored. The rules are easy: be pleasant, refrain from asking questions, and don't rock the boat. Everything they need is provided for them, from the white uniforms that magically appear in their closets, to their customized cafeteria-style meals. The survivors all eagerly await their big payoff: winning the lottery and being sent to The Island, the only remaining untainted land in the world...
| Starring | Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Bean, Steve Buscemi, Michael Clarke Duncan |
|---|---|
| Director | Michael Bay |
| Studio | WARNER HOME VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 2 hrs 11 mins Blu-ray: 2 hrs 10 mins HD DVD: 2 hrs 10 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Action/Adventure, Audio Descriptive, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Thriller |
| Language | DVD: English, English Audio Description Blu-ray: English HD DVD: English |
| Dubbed | French |
| Subtitles | DVD: English, French, Spanish |
| Released | DVD: 09 Jan 2006 Blu-ray: 30 Jul 2007 HD DVD: 30 Jul 2007 Production year: 2005 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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The best sci-fi action film I've seen in ages
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An explosive action-packed romp
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Most helpful member's review
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183 out of 219 people found this review helpful
My first ever review of a film
Please read my whole review, if this is the only one you do. I have seen hundreds of films and dvds over the years, and rented many, but I have never, ever been tempted to write a review - until now! I must have watched a different film to everyone else that has left a review here, because I found it to be total tripe. Firstly, it is a total copy of 'Solyent Green' and 'Logan's Run', with shallow, plastic characterisation throughout. Shortly after the start of the film, I remarked to my fiancee that I couldn't believe they got so many 'name' actors to appear in it, however, it soon became clear that it was because of the money. You see in just about every shot, there is blatent 'product placement', (i think that's what they now call it - it used to be called adverts). MSN, Nokia, Chevrolet, Sony Xbox, and countless other brand names are thrust upon us throughout the film, obviously generating vast sums of money with which to pay 'good' actors to appear in something they would not otherwise give a second read to. (I am not joking - watch it if you want to - it's your choice). The plot is, as I said, a rip off, but the original idea was good, just not theirs. The acting by all parties, (no exceptions here), was just adequate. I really did get the impression that they were only in it for the money. I felt insulted by this premise, as a comsumer, even though I got it as part of a rental package, and it didn't cost much. I resent the people behind the film thinking that they can just get away with this purely commercial product - no love sweat or tears went into this one! Finally, I know you are likely to rent this film, because of the good overall star rating it gets, and the mostly good to excellent reviews here, but do me a favour - if you agree with me, please post your comments, because I feel that some redress of the balance is in order. Thank you for reading, and I sincerely do hope you enjoy the film.
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Most recent members' review
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
THX 1138 for the MTV generation
A surprisingly smart thriller from Michael Bay, best known as creator of goofy CG-laden action movies like Armageddon and Pearl Harbour. The setting, story and style borrow liberally from classic sci-fi movies like Blade Runner, THX 1138 and Logan's Run, but its focus on the ethics of cloning and using people custom-made as organ donors is very timely, reflecting the current debate about stem cell research and designer babies.
This being a Michael Bay movie though, it also includes more than its fair share of wild chases and fight scenes, including one of the most impressive freeway chases I've ever seen, and some flinch-inducing shoot-outs in a crowded city with huge chunks of debris raining down all around. A surprising amount of this action was done for real using practical effects and stuntmen instead of falling back on CG, and the results are all the more impressive for it.
The action does threaten to overwhelm the story at times, particularly during the escape from the facility that houses the clones, where for several minutes seemingly every line of dialogue consists of Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson shouting 'run!' at each other. But overall it's a good balance of story and spectacle.
Despite the potentially rather grim subject matter and simple black and white morality (quite literally - the people running and guarding the facility all wear black uniforms, while the clones all wear white jumpsuits), the film also avoids being overly preachy and even manages to throw in a bit of humour, mostly thanks to a fun cameo by the always reliable Steve Buscemi as a sleazy maintenance worker in the facility who befriends Ewan's character.
Given Michael Bay's track record I was a little sceptical about this film going into it, but it turned out to be a real winner. -
News and features
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McGregor and Johansson get intimate at Island premiere
- 08 Aug 2005
Hundreds of film fans gathered in London's Leicester Square last night to catch a glimpse of the stars of the new thriller The Island. The leading couple, Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, both attended the premiere. McGregor, who this year has lent his voice to films such as Valiant and Robots, kept the crowds entertained by giving Johansson a kiss on the neck. Johansson, who has starred in Lost In Translation and Girl With A Pearl Earring, looked stunning in a silver dress. The pair share Read more
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Island, The - HD DVD Version
In this action thriller from director Michael Bay (PEARL HARBOR, ARMAGEDDON), survivors of global contamination live in a sterile, self-contained world where their every move is monitored. The rules are easy: be pleasant, refrain from asking questions, and don't rock the boat. Everything they need ...
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- Island, The - BLU-RAY Version
- Blu-Ray: £10.53
Free Delivery - RRP £24.49 (you save: 57%)
In this action thriller from director Michael Bay (PEARL HARBOR, ARMAGEDDON), survivors of global contamination live in a sterile, self-contained world where their every move is monitored. The rules ... -
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- The Island
- DVD: £5.43
Free Delivery - RRP £7.99 (you save: 32%)
In this action thriller from director Michael Bay (Pearl Harbour, Armageddon), survivors of global contamination live in a sterile, self-contained world where their every move is monitored. The rules ... -