The Island Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)August 8th, 2005
"The Island" - An Interesting Destination by Homer Yen
(c) 2005
Sci-fi gets sexy thanks to the coupling of nubile Scarlett Johansson and the semi-dashing Ewan McGregor. Together, they develop good chemistry and partnership in this futuristic thriller, and you may be surprised by the depth in which you wind up caring for them. Even in the romance department, these two have got something going for them. It is one of those nice pairings where you know that the two will eventually share a romantic kiss yet hope that they do it sooner than later.
However, that's just about impossible in their sterile world of 2019. She plays Jordan Two Delta and he plays Lincoln Six Echo, just two inhabitants of a bustling underground city where everyone seems to be docile but simultaneously participating in a non-stop athletic workout. I suppose that healthy lungs are a good thing, especially when the outside world has been poisoned by rampant pollution. Now, nothing outside survives and everyone lives in this sealed, closed system.
This future forwards some interesting ideas. During your morning trip to the bathroom, for example, you can get a daily urinalysis. This dictates the kinds of exercise you need or the food choices that you can have that day. With all of this monitoring, you'd think that the citizens were part of some kind of grand science experiment.
There is a noticeable restriction of liberties. Learning is moderated and most don't seem to understand more than a typical 15-year old. Most odd, though, is the proximity alert that goes off when body heat begins to rise, usually caused by two people who are feeling a sense of deep attraction. This is forbidden. Days go by and most are blissfully unaware. The one thing that fuels their desire to live is to win the lottery, which sends the lucky winner to 'the island,' the only pathogen-free place left on the planet.
Eventually, the annoyingly inquisitive Lincoln Six Echo begins to ask too many questions. He eventually learns a few horrifying secrets that I will obviously not disclose. However, it causes him to flee along with Jordan. A closed system must maintain homogeneity. These blemishes must be eliminated.
"The Island," along with being a great piece of product placement for Cadillac and Dodge, certainly works as an action film. Our couple accomplishes a series of unlikely escapes as they struggle to find some kind of resolution. And the film does a wise thing by modulating the amount of new information learned so that the film unfolds with a kind of anticipation that you might get from unwrapping a gift by first removing the tape with your thumbs.
I enjoy films that explore our humanity, and this one poses some great questions. But the answers aren't there, and thus the film can't come full circle. And, while the first and second acts both work, the first half had to better realize its potential. It seems like there should have been more to "The Island." Instead, it gives us interesting possibilities. It provides a thought-provoking look at our not-so-distant humanity. And it does manage to entertain. Despite its drawbacks, I liked this offering, and it deserves a little more credit than it will probably get.
Grade: B-
S: 0 out of 3
L: 0 out of 3
V: 2 out of 3
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