The ISLAND
Reviewed by Monkey Boy

Mars Collective Rating:

               In this sci-fi thriller, you are introduced into a world whose inhabitants are shown that the world that they once knew was taken over by a disease outbreak and that their underground bunker was one of the last refuges left on the planet where human beings can survive, and they give you a little but of hope, by way of "The Island".  The Island is supposed to be the last "natural" spot on a planet supposedly ravaged by a cataclismic outbreak of disease and destruction.  That is where the fantasy ends, and the story begins.

Ewan McGregor plays an inhabitant, whose daily routines include working in a laboratory, staying fit and resisting temptation from the beautiful Scarlett Johanson, who plays another generic inhabitant.  You see, in this place...things like love, companionship, freedom, they come in preset quantities, and the over seeing administration decide how much or how little to give you, until ultimately, you win the "lottery" and you're selected to come to "The Island".

The movie is visually stunning, bringing everything you would come to expect from the producers of movies like Armegeddon, The Day After Tommorow and other major summer blockbuster of that kind.  You are privy to not only a world of near perfectness, but also, you are thrown back into the real world ala 2018, with many technological advances, it is impossible not to be wow'ed by the various enviorments, vehicles and weapons.

The story is also a gem.  You couldnt ask for better acting talent than the likes of Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johanson, Micheal Clarke Duncan and Steve Buscimi.  Whether it be a chase scene down a busy metropolis highway or a dusty desert layout, the dialogue and interaction between the characters is just perfect.

The secret...why does "The Island" exist?  That will be left for you to find out when you see it.  So far, in my opinion, the best movie released in 2005, trumping Spielbergs War of the Worlds without even breaking a sweat and topping King Kong as it gave you all the action and great story, but didnt drag out for 3 and a half hours.

Go see this movie.