For a decade, Hollywood director Michael Bay has created a series of commercial successes (Bad Boys II and Pearl Harbor), but somehow his films are often associated with supermarket or popcorn cinema. Sure he delivers entertainment, but his films are quickly seen, and just as quickly forgotten. You can look in vain for any substance – Bay serves up baked-bean movies – they fill the entertainment hole but leave you with nothing more than a little gas. The Island is not much different, though at least it has a plot. A fairly good plot.
The performances from leads Ewan McGregor or Scarlett Johansson are acceptable, but the conspiracy-theory story of this futuristic thriller should keep you guessing until the end. If it doesn’t, well you can imagine you’re watching a 120-minute long commercial; this film features a host of brand name product placements. By the way, Bay’s next project is a live adaptation of the robot TV-series Transformers.
Dream Works SKC & Warner Bros

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
October 2005 issue