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The Island (2005)

2005 • 2h 16m • Adventure, Action • PG-13
On September 28, 2026
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All reviews

John Chard on The Island

7/10 · Sep 23, 2019

Lincoln Six Echo experiences intense dreams that suggest a hidden history within his seemingly perfect world. Here, residents live with the hope of winning a lottery granting them passage to an idyllic location called The Island. After uncovering something disturbing, Lincoln flees with Jordan Two Delta, and their actions put both themselves and those in power at risk. If you're going into a Michael Bay film, it’s fair to expect certain elements: loud sounds, destructive action sequences, and plenty of chaotic scenes. His usual methods have generally been successful in providing entertainment for audiences. It’s surprising, then, that "The Island" also contains some thought-provoking ideas alongside the characteristic Bay style. The movie is based on a captivating cloning story by Caspian Tredwell-Owen (though parallels with Robert Fiveson's "The Clonus Horror" led to legal action), and it presents an intriguing science fiction concept where the ethical questions at its heart are worth considering. It’s possible to suggest that Bay wasn’t the ideal director for such complex material, and it’s true that the characters and their storylines aren’t explored in great depth, but perhaps viewers primarily come for the action. Ewan McGregor (Lincoln) and Scarlett Johansson (Jordan) deliver adequate performances, balancing confusion with heroic actions, while Sean Bean, Djimon Hounsou, and a memorable Steve Buscemi provide amusing supporting roles. It's not an easy film to suggest because it can be as irritating as it is enjoyable, but it certainly provides entertainment, especially when experienced on a large screen or in a home theater; the high-speed chase scene is particularly impressive with a good sound system. A weighty subject matter receives a frivolous treatment, yet it’s undeniably fun. 7/10

Source on TMDB