The Island [Blu-ray]

The Island, together with King Kong (my #1) and Serenity (struggling with The Island for #2 place), are my favorite movies of 2005. Each has left a profound impression on me. The only thing unimpressive about The Island was the title-and even that objection evaporated once the introduction sequences started rolling; for suddenly the apparently vapid title acquired context and meaning. But it wasn't the snazziest title they could have come up with to draw people into the theaters.I'm not going to summarize the plot, since it's been discussed at length before. Instead, here are some points that need to me mentioned in order to do the film justice.The Island, if one feels bound to refer to other movies, is basically Logan's Run meeting Bladerunner. It asks some of the same questions; most significantly one of profound philosophical import: how do you define a 'human being'?[Sidebar: The often-mentioned Gattaca, on the other hand-and I'm pointing this out this for the benefit of those reviewers still struggling with comprehension of the fundamental difference between the movies-asked if the value of human beings depends on their genetic makeup; just like one might ask if a handicapped person is of equal value as one who isn't.]Should a cloned ('replicated', 'copied') but conscious human being be accorded the same rights as one created and brought into this world in a more conventional manner? What is consciousness anyway? How do you detect it?How far will human beings go to preserve their lives? (There's a truly disturbing part in Michael Bay's commentary on the DVD regarding this. Truth apparently is even more sickening than the occasionally quite troubling fiction of The Island.)The Island deals with these issues in all seriousness; but not in a pretentious or 'arty' manner, or with the ponderous gravitas that might have eventuated in the hands of a 'serious' director. It also answers them; at least as much as it is possible-for, after all, who _can_ say what 'consciousness' actually 'is'? We all _know_ what it is, but try to _define_ it and you're instantly stepping on philosophical quicksand.All this is accomplished in the context for an 'action' movie, and one by Michael Bay at that. That instantly gets a lot of folks' hackles up; for Michael Bay can't possibly make a movie with depth, right? Well, think again, for this one is. An object lesson, if we need one, to teach us that not every action film has to be a one-dimensional Tom Cruise or Will Smith vehicle. The Island strikes an exquisite balance between the relief provided by humor and the physical-ness of some very well done action, moments of reflection, and a multi-layered plot with lots of hidden meanings and question marks, as well as a satisfying denouement.Above all-and unlike Gattaca, which was a very 'self centered' movie; with the protagonist really only interested in himself and his own plans and tribulations-The Island ultimately went beyond that and toward displaying a sense of social responsibility. One of the most touching moments of the movie occurs when Lincoln and Jordan spin dreams of what they would like to do, and how they could just go far away and live like 'real people'; and then he says "...but after...", meaning after having tried to help "all those people we left behind", who are about to be destroyed (well, 'killed' or 'murdered' would be more appropriate) as their makers try to 'start over' a new generation of clones with less troublesome predilections.The decision to risk their future for the sake of their fellow clones, is the ultimate proof of Lincoln's and Jordan's humanity; and in the process they help to redeem the one who has hunted them relentlessly, and who rediscovers his own humanity as a result of his interaction with them.One issue has raised justifiable questions: how did the clones 'know' all these things they knew? Or, how did not just they, but apparently another whole lot, become infected with apparently spontaneously-generated memories of their 'sponsors', that is the people they were cloned from?One possible answer is that memories are encoded in the DNA of a person-but that doesn't make much sense. There is nothing to suggest in current scientific research that this is either possible or that it happens. Another theory-and this is where 'speculation' enters the fray-is that (slightly extending theories such as those developed by the likes of Rupert Sheldrake or Roger Penrose) people with identical genetic makeup have a 'connection' that goes beyond mere genetics; that they are 'linked' (telepathically?) in some way. Maybe that's how their 'memories' seemed to have 'grown' spontaneously over the lifetimes of the clones. Maybe that's also why, in some ways, the clones-and especially Lincoln-seemed to have acquired certain characteristics of their 'sponsors'.I don't know and neither did the God-potentate Merrick, who was highly and unpleasantly surprised by this turn of events; though for a few moments he appeared to be genuinely stimulated by the notion, until he realized that it was interfering with his carefully laid-out plans and DOD funding. He never found the explanation, before he died at the hands of one of his creations.So, is there a suggestion here that there's more to life and humanity and the mind and every-damn-thing than is currently accepted by science? I know some people aren't comfortable with that notion, and, being an atheist myself, I'm not bringing God into this either-but is the notion that we haven't figured out the fundamentals of 'human nature' really so preposterous? Is it unreasonable for a movie, and especially one so unashamedly 'entertainment', to suggest that maybe we don't know everything, and that our ignorance, combined with the delusions of omniscience in some, is likely to come and bite us in the butt?I think not. This theme, by the way, is also picked up in that other cinematographic gem, Serenity, though from a slightly different angle.The Island's score by Steve Jablonsky is impressive and moving; showing (like Klaus Badelt's did for Pirates of the Caribbean) a close connection to Hans Zimmer, who may be the greatest and most influential film-score composer working today.Bottom line and in two words: great flick. Highly recommended for those who like to be entertained and think at the same time. The rest of you, depending on your inclinations, either go watch some DAMN (Deep-And-Meaningful-Nothing) movie instead, or spend quality time with and waste money on vapid Mission Impossible flicks (or anything by and with Tom Cruise, except possibly The Last Samurai) or maybe the silly, though mildly entertaining, I, Robot.The Island DVD is not exactly loaded with 'extras' (no space on a single DVD with a 2 hr movie for much extra stuff anyway); but I don't feel that, unless there's another cut of this movie, or unless they put in significant background material on cloning and associated issues, there's actually much more to add to what is a very complete film. Besides, personally I'm not really all that interested in the details of shooting 'action', and what there is seems more than enough. Maybe something about Steve Jablonsky might be nice, too. But basically I'm cool with the DVD as it is.Till Noeverowlglass.comAuthor: Keaen, Continuity Slip, Seladiënna

This is an excellent movie made by DreamWorks. It is both a sifi film and an action film similar to a Tom Cruise Mission Impossible movie or The Matrix films. It will not disappoint. I bought the DVD because commercial breaks ruin the continuity of a great movie.

terrific cast, with a really interesting and thought provoking storyline. Yeah it has a few corny fight scenes, but this film is actually really well done overall and has become one of my favorites.

The storyline is interesting.

filling in missing favorites in my personal collection of film library

The story in "The Island" is quite intriguing. It depicts a future in which human beings, very wealthy human beings, order clones of themselves with a corporation that grows them in a vast underground city. The clones are clueless, grown into adults and then memories implanted, and they are told that a certain kind of "contamination" has killed everything on the planet and that aside from the underground sanctuary, there is the one last place that is still safe: the island. For reasons unknown, not everyone can go to the island and so every day there is a lottery in which someone's number is pulled to "go to the island." The clones dont know they are clones and they really believe this to be the reality.The movie is about slowly deconstructing that fantasy, that almost utopian future and revealing some of the ugly truth inherent in the human condition. The humans depicted in this future are so obsessed with youth and living forever, that they have deliberately turned a blind eye to what is happening to other human beings in their society. There is a powerful scene in the movie where a pregnant woman is supposed ot go to the island, but of course that is not going to happen. She gives birth and immediately after is given an injection and killed. The business woman has her baby in arm and watches the woman die, before delivering the baby to the parents that ordered it. The new mother that holds the baby is the genetic original of the clone that was just killed. The business woman then closes the deal by offering to bring them the "termination papers" of their "insurance policy".The storyline about how the two protagonists uncover the truth is fascinating and just the whole premise of this movie is very smart and thought provoking - because in a way it is not a very too far future from ours.However, while this movie started strongly, it ended on a rather slow note. Of course not literally - which is precisely what the problem with this movie is. I feel as if there is almost a clear division in this movie and that it can be divided into two parts. The first part entices us quite intelligently into this fascinating future and there is a lot of potential that is set up here. But the second part, which goes into overdrive, ends up being a lot of bang bang, super action, one long car chase scene with crashes and explosions. There is a pause and then the quality of the film emerges again. But as soon as the car chase scenes a la Michael Bay begin, everything goes downhill. I really wish they had continued on that strong beginning instead of allowing it to fizzle into mediocrity. The ending was pretty good though and connected the beginning with it.Despite the one short coming I think this movie is quite underrated in the message it attempts to convey and the quality with respect to *how* it was done. The actors truly inhabit the roles they are portraying, and so they are believable. The chemistry between McGreggor and Johansson is great and I thought the cinematography and soundtrack were amazing, truly conveying the mood of the movie about a future not too far from ours.

If you like Michael Bay movies:Transformers 1 to 5,The Rock,Armageddon,Bad Boys 1 and 2,Pearl Harbour..Then you will like the Island.Every Michael Bay-ism is here lol.The flashy photography with overblown contrast and saturated colors like all his movies.The quick editing.The huge action scenes(and theres a lot of it as usual).The hot looking babes with a good tan(in this case Scarlett Johansen).The adolescent type of humour that sometimes is a bit cringe worthy.The roaster of great actors.Beside Scarlett jo having the looks we all know she can act too.Ad to this Ewan mcgregor,Sean Bean,Michael Clark Duncan,Steven Buscemi,Djimoun Hounsou.The story is pretty solid too.The score for the movie is from Steve Jablonsky (Transformers).So as you can see the movie is pretty solid on all levels.If your looking for a spectacular blockbuster type movie full of action and a sci fi plot.And stylishly directed and just basically a good time at the movies look no further.The bluray is top notch too.The video quality is great.Good details and no DNR(digital noise reduction here) the grain structure is intact.The audio mix is also very good.Even with my small speakers the bass got very hefty in a few action scenes.One scene where a car flew through the air and got destroyed when landing the noise from the crash almost hurt my eardrums lol.Had to lower the volume after it.Michael Bay movie i should have known lol.Its loud and bombastic as usual.I didnt check out the extras but it seems like there is a good bit of stuff.Of course its not as extensive as the extras on other Michael Bay movies like the loaded blurays of transformers 1 to 5 for example that are some of the finest extras put on bluray ever.Anyways if you like the Island get this bluray cause it might never come to 4k since its not the most popular Michael Bay movie.And the bluray is quite good enough.

Produto chegou corretamente com antecedência ao prazo solicitado.

Même si le film n'est plus tout récent, j'ai vraiment apprécié.

MUY BUENA EDICION Y MUY BARATA , CON IDIOMA Y SUBTITULOS EN ESPAÑOL

Acheté pour ma collection de DVD de futur dystopique