When I first saw the trailer I thought to myself, "'Logan's Run', here we go again". Not even close. Then as the picture began, I thought, "Wow, 'THX 1138', the remake". Nope, wrong again. Then I watched as a unique story turned into a better than average summer action picture. The thought also came to mind that this COULD happen and that science fiction doesn't always remain fiction. In 2019 the world has been "contaminated" and the remaining population is in an utopian enclave, under ground, safe from the poisoned world above. It's a boring, homogeneous life and the only escape is "the lottery". When one wins they are taken to the only clean and safe place on the planet, "The Island". Our hero, Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) starts to ask questions about why every thing is the same. Clothes, shoes, food, all the same. He also has memories of things he never did and things he has never seen. When his "friend", Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson) hits the lottery and is leaving for the Island, and he discovers THERE IS NO ISLAND, he grabs her and they both escape. The head guy, Merrick (Sean Bean), sends the ruthless and relentless mercenary, Albert Laurent (Djimon Hounsou) to "bring them back".....DEAD! And THERE begins our summer, sci-fi blockbuster. In a Hollywood filled with remakes and sequels (and I like some of them) it's very refreshing to see a new idea. Sure, there were the huge crashes, special effects, bloody killings and fast paced action, but there WAS a unique story to make this picture different from the norm. Also, the young actors were great and believable. One of the big stars of this picture was 2019 Los Angeles. Impressive. Was this a perfect picture? No, but it was what it was and a great example of that genre. I liked it. "Just because people like to eat burgers doesn't mean they want to meet the cow!" RECOMMENDATION: If you're looking for pure fun and entertainment, with lots of action at a high speed pace, THIS is your picture. Rated PG-13 for lots of violence and a little sexual content (very little). TWO "UNCONTAMINATED" THUMBS UP (actually, one thumb and a COPY of a thumb! Huh?)!!! Movie Review © 2005 by Terry Anderson |
