The Island [2005]

“...with an enormously lacking script”. That’s the best way to finish off the critical quote on the DVD box for Michael Bay’s latest high-budget flick, The Island. It’s the typical stuff you’d expect from the director, what with numerous explosions, highly ridiculous action, and quick cutting camera moves – only thing is, it still manages to be way better than expected and entertain in spite of a weak finale and that horribly syrupy end shot (which made me groan more than even seeing leads Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson survive a fall off the side of a building no-one could have).

The year is 2019 and the human race lives in a totalitarian society where everything is monitored and decisions are made for you. Your job is chosen for you, what you eat is determined by nutrient levels in your body, and everything is kept in orderly fashion. In amongst all this is something called “The Lottery”, which gives the people hope of a life of luxury as every week someone is randomly drawn to be whisked away to an island paradise.

Lincoln Six Echo (McGregor) is one of the people living in this society; only he isn’t so sure that the people in charge are really looking out for their best interests. His curiosity is getting the best of him in fact and after finding a way to get him and the object of his affection, Jordan Two Delta (Johansson), deep within the bowels of the city they soon find that the entire thing might not be what it seems when they find a passageway up into the “real world”.

Seems they’ve been living in a top secret facility and are being used as tools for moneymaking and other nefarious activities. From here they go on a mission to learn the real truth behind themselves, their keepers, and “the island”. All the while they’re being hunted down by groups of soldiers who have been hired by the people operating the facility to bring them back – and keep things under wraps.

The Island starts out its life as an interesting little sci-fi movie along the same lines as Logan’s Run and Gattaca but around the forty-five minute mark director Bay starts to do what he does best... blow stuff up. All subtlety goes out the window as this quickly becomes an overblown action flick and while there’s lots of kick-ass action sequences and wanton destruction (the highway chase scene alone makes this worth seeing, even if it’s partly cribbed from Bay’s Bad Boys II) to chew on, it’s too bad the movie didn’t stick more to its sci-fi roots as there’s nuggets of an interesting story here.

That’s not to say The Island isn’t worthwhile. Sure it’s mindless, it runs on a bit too long, and it misses the opportunity to be a really intelligent sci-fi flick but for outright action, top notch effects, and really well done production design (especially in the earlier moments) it’s worth your while - and getting to see Johansson in a tight spandex suit certainly doesn't hurt. Just be prepared to endure tons of obvious, and ridiculous, product placement throughout the entire movie – as if there being commercials in theatres and before the DVD’s we buy aren’t enough.

2.5 out of 4

Directed by Michael Bay. Written by Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci. 136 minutes. PG-13