Review of The Island (2006) by Oliver J — 04 May 2011

(Minor spoilers ahead!).

The problem with 'The Island' is the amount of films that are so similar to it, on the surface of things 'The Island' is a half-decent science-fiction film and the cast also looks promising. And, don't get me wrong, the film certainly isn't awful.

Ewan McGregor stars as Lincoln Six Echo, a clone who lives in an isolated compound which seems to be all there is to life, it is being put across that the world outside is contaminated. The clones don't realise who they are and why they exist, they are controlled by strict rules and regulations and the only differentiation in daily life is the lottery which seems to offer freedom for the clones. However, when Lincoln Six Echo exits the restricted area to see his friend and technician James McCord (Steve Buscemi) he spots a moth, he then decides to follow the moth into new parts of the compound, it's here he sees recent lottery winners being killed.

Scarlett Johansson stars as Jordan Two Delta and when she wins the lottery Lincoln rescues her from the murder which he suspects happens to the lottery winners and they escape the compound. They learn on the outside that the world being contaminated and out of bounds is a myth. They are in fact clones of wealthy individuals who use them for body parts. As the film progresses Lincoln and Jordan travel through the strange world learning how to live and travel, all the time they are being chased as Dr Merrick who is in charge of the program doesn't want the clones in the public eye. Lincoln and Jordan hope to find their sponsors whom, they hope, will put a stop to the project.

This film has some good scenes including the scene in which Lincoln and his sponsor (both played by McGregor) are stood at gunpoint but the people behind the guns don't know which McGregor is the clone and which is the wealthy and powerul sponsor. Who do they shoot???

Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson work well as a pair both pulling off great performances, they are obviously both unfamiliar with this new world outside of the compound. But they are determined to bring to light the suffering the clones go through for their sponsors and end the project to free their friends. Other roles are filled by Djimon Hounsou, Micheal Duncan and Ethan Phillips.

'The Island' is an average science-fiction film with a good but somewhat familiar plot and a respectable cast. Some of the scenes are original whilst some are not.