While 2005’s The Island marked director Michael Bay’s first effort without the assistance of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, you’d be hard pressed to know it. Like many of his past films with Bruckheimer–Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and Bad Boys II—The Island delivers plenty of thrills and loud action sequences.
Its 2019, and Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) is troubled by nightmares that contradict his conditioned belief that the “island” is a paradise, the last unscathed location in a post-apocalyptic world. Waking up day after day bathed in sweat, he goes to see the doctor, Merrick (Sean Bean), who oversees the facility where he and the other automatons await their chance to go to the island. The doctor tells him not to worry, but Merrick’s face tells a different story.
Reassured for the moment, Lincoln and his best friend/virtual games opponent Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson) return to their life of compliance. Lincoln occasionally abandons the rules, trying to avoid his specially mandated diet, and to visit with his friend McCord (a gnarly Steve Buscemi), in an underground engineering area.
Soon enough, Lincoln discovers his worst fears aren’t far off the mark. Just as Jordan Two Delta wins a trip to the island, he learns that life as he knows it is more of a lie than he could have ever dreamed. He and Jordan conduct a daring escape, but they aren’t emotionally prepared for the realities that await them in the outside world.
While The Island possesses several characteristics of a typical Michael Bay film, the director deserves credit for stepping out of his comfort zone, if only just a little bit. Much of the first half is science fiction. We are treated to a series of discoveries as Lincoln slowly begins to peel away the layers of his artificial reality. Once Lincoln and Jordan are on the run, The Island switches onto ‘Michael Bay Mode,’ complete with car chases and all types of mayhem. Unlike most of Bay’s previous efforts, the action sequences seem contextually appropriate.
Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson both turn in strong performances, demonstrating an ability to work within the flow of both science fiction and action sequences. Sean Bean turns in a perfectly acidic performance as the man responsible for the entire operation, along with Djimon Hounsou, a mercenary given the job of recovering the company’s ‘fleeing products’.
The Island just might be as subtle as Michael Bay will ever be. With the aid of three credited screenwriters, and a cast of fine actors, he’s crafted a real, honest-to-goodness story here. All of which leads me to some disappointment. I have to wonder how good this film would have been if Bay had stayed on the science fiction track throughout, rather than abandoning that in favor of his tried and true action theatrics. Nevertheless, Bay delivered a highly entertaining action film with a bit of a message.
Shown in 2.40:1 aspect ratio, this transfer looks great. The image is clear and colors are bright and vivid; detail is everything a high definition experience should be. Bay oversaturated the image to reach his intended look, which includes quite a bit of grain, but doesn’t effect on the presentation. There is some minor aliasing in some shots, and a scratch on one or two occasions. Regardless, this is a solid effort.
The new DTS-HD Master Audio in 5.1 is a tremendous upgrade over the Dolby Digital surround of the earlier release. Even during scenes filled with roaring motors and explosions, quieter sounds and dialogue are easily heard. This is a well balanced mix that makes full and use of the front and rear speakers.
We get the following special features:
- Audio Commentary: Director Michael Bay discusses a wide range of topics, including the picture’s visual design, set construction, cast, plot, story delivery, character construction, scene-specific insights, real-life scenarios and events that influenced the film, and more.
- The Future in Action (480p, 15:42): A piece that focuses on Bay’s talent for action, the making of the film’s several large action sequences, and the actor’s involvement in the scenes.
- The Making of The Island (480p, 13:02): Covers the story and its themes as well as the action and the usual making-of elements, such as behind-the-scenes footage and cast and crew interview clips.
- Pre-Visualization (480p, 8:09): We are given a glimpse into the importance of animatics — or computerized storyboards — in the making of the film.
