Movie: The Island
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Ewan McGregor, Djimon Hounsou
Rating:
Reviewer: Grayson Steinberg

It’s really too bad that The Island doesn’t actually exist. Visiting it would probably be a far more pleasant experience than watching the film. The Island, directed by Michael Bay, the man behind such huge blockbusters as The Rock and Armageddon, rapidly transforms from what could have been a very intriguing, science-fiction drama that relates to present-day controversial issues into a poorly executed, run-of-the-mill action flick.

The story begins with a focus on an isolated, self-contained community in the future where the supposedly last surviving remnants of the human race live and work, shielded by the apparent effects of a worldwide “contamination” that rendered most of the planet uninhabitable. The lives of its citizens are extremely well regulated with everyone having defined roles and restricted to specified meal plans, and the sexes are essentially segregated from each other. Citizens are eligible to win a lottery that gives them a one-way ticket to an island, a Garden of Eden-like paradise that is supposedly one of the last habitable places left on earth. Until then, they continue with their daily routines, always hoping for the chance that they will win the lottery. Few question their living arrangements, jobs with no apparent purpose, or the state of their own world.

The introduction to this artificial universe is one of the best and most interesting parts of the movie. The initial examination of its elements is very well done, but it’s unfortunate that more time isn’t spent within it to truly display all of its effects on the lives of the major characters. Even worse, this would not be the first time potentially interesting plot developments would be glossed over in favor of action sequences and is only a taste of what is to come.

One of the more defiant members of the community, Lincoln Six-Echo, portrayed by Ewan McGregor, begins to ponder his purpose in this entire arrangement and starts looking for answers. He eventually discovers that this operation is a façade for what he later learns is a far more devious plan. This involves raising these individuals, clones manufactured by a biotech company based on client DNA, so that their various body parts and organs can be harvested to help those who can afford to extend and/or improve their lives. The Island is little more than a hoax. Upon receiving this revelation, Lincoln convinces a fellow clone about to be sent to “The Island,” Jordan Two-Delta, played by Scarlett Johansson, to escape with him. The rest of the movie mainly focuses on their efforts to escape from their pursuers at the biotech company and their efforts to discover the truth. Eventually, the duo is forced to return home to save their companions from a potentially catastrophic fate.

This is where the movie starts to fall apart. Potentially interesting character development is interrupted by expository sequences to explain what’s really going on and poorly choreographed action and chase scenes. It seems the two clones on the run never get a break to develop their relationship. They are always running from the authorities by trying to speed through the streets of Los Angeles in a vehicle that McGregor’s character somehow knows how to operate despite never having driven a car in his life or barely surviving descents from tall buildings. When the chance arises to truly develop some compelling on-screen chemistry between McGregor and Johansson’s characters, they decide to have sex instead. The act serves a purpose in terms of helping them learn about the human experience, but is disappointing nevertheless.

Another major problem with the movie is how it so efficiently glosses over the ethical considerations brought up by the whole business that this biotechnology company is trying to run. It is explicitly made clear that their practices are wrong, but not much beyond that. The best we get is a lot of special-effects and violence driven action scenes involving the efforts of the two rebellious clones to take down the operation and the character of Merick, the head of the biotech company, played by Sean Bean, attempting to justify his depraved services as being a source of salvation for many humans. There’s no deep exploration of the issues behind this, no ultimate vindication for all those who were created to be killed and then harvested for their organs, no analysis of the devious motives behind this project. It’s all ignored in the wake of numerous fight scenes and fancy explosions. This is especially unfortunate considering that there seems to be a parallel in the operations of this company and how one might perceive the issue of harvesting embryos for stem cells that could be used to replace or regenerate various human organs and tissues. Some might see the act of destroying these embryos as being immoral despite the fact they are being used for potentially beneficial purposes, just as the biotech company in this film is creating and destroying human clones to supposedly help others. I think a key opportunity was missed to better relate this film to present-day concerns.

It’s also unfortunate that the acting talents of the cast are greatly underutilized. All of the cast members, especially McGregor, Johansson, and Bean, have displayed their skills in other, better roles elsewhere (in better films as well), and it is disappointing that their roles do not allow them to make efficient use of their talents. Finally, one major factor, which is more a mistake on the part of those behind the film’s marketing campaign than anything else, is the fact that one of the plot’s key elements, the revelation about the island, is essentially revealed in the previews. This leaves no hope of placing the audience in suspense or revealing anything particularly surprising that would make the film any less than really predictable.

While The Island aspires to display the dangers of science when ethical considerations are blindly tossed to the side for profit, the film itself seems to dismiss those concerns in favor of adrenaline-inducing action and eye candy. Had there been more thoughtful analysis and fewer explosions, this film could have been extremely thought-provoking, considering the issues and questions it conjures up. The fact that it wishes to be more than just the rather forgettable action flick it really is makes The Island that much more of a disappointment.