The Island (PG-13, 2005)

common sense media says

Explosive movie is best for teens and up.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the movie features explosions, fights, and vehicle chases. Characters drink, smoke, fight, and kill one another. Several scenes show clones in various unfinished states (incubating in sacks and on tables); others show organs harvested (surgery) and a baby harvested (the mother is killed after giving birth). While the protagonists' social naiveté and first grade reading skills make them seem childish, they are definitely adult in their sexual interests and fighting abilities. Characters and background images make frequent references to commercial products (including MSN, Puma, XBox, Aquafina, Cadillac, Ben & Jerry's).

Positive messages: Bad corporate and military figures.
Violence: Explosions, shootings, surgery, a mother dies after childbirth.
Sex: Barflies make rude comments; protagonists have romantic sex.
Language: Typical "action" language.
Consumerism: Lots of brand names and logos, including MSN, Puma, XBox, Aquafina, Cadillac, Ben and Jerry's.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some smoking and drinking; drugs used to keep clones placid; Jordan gets drunk in a bar.

More on The Island

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the film's important ethical and philosophical questions concerning clones and organ harvesting: When do clones become individuals? Who can afford to purchase clones or organs, and how does this create a hierarchy of health, longevity, and cultural power? Does the fact that technology exists justify or compel its use? Families might also talk about how the film reduces resolutions for such dilemmas by broadly outlining villains and heroes, stereotypical relationships, and high-powered, plainly expensive action sequences.

What's the story?

What's the story?
It's 2019, and Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) is disturbed by nightmares that run counter to his conditioned belief that the "island" is a paradise, the last unscathed location in a post-apocalyptic world. He and his friend Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson) live at a facility run by Dr. Merrick (Sean Bean), until they are "chosen" to leave for the island. Lincoln learns his dreams are "genetic memories," and that he and his community are all clones, paid for by wealthy people who plan to use the clones' organs, genes, and wombs in order to prolong or enhance their own, "original" lives. Helped by engineering, non-clone friend McCord (Steve Buscemi), Lincoln and Jordan learn the world has not been destroyed, escape the facility, and flee to Los Angeles. Merrick hires a mercenary crew to hunt them down, led by former Special Forces soldier Albert Laurent (Djimon Hounsou), who has a particular, historically motivated understanding of breeding people for money.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Loud, fast, and fulsome, this action movie actually spends a few minutes pondering ethical questions. But just a few. For the most part, The Island is simplistic science fiction, pitting very athletic, very attractive heroes on the run against plainly despicable corporate villains.

Besides Hounsou's character, the other visible black man is a football star (Michael Clarke Duncan), or rather, his clone, whose vigorous resistance to harvesting surgery initially reveals the truth to an understandably horrified Lincoln. Most of the film, however, is given over to the pretty white clones' multi-faceted education -- in running, spending money, driving, and soft-focus kissing.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: DreamWorks
Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Sean Bean
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 127 minutes
Theatrical release: July 22, 2005
DVD release: December 13, 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: intense sequences of violence and action, some sexuality and language

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14

Most useful reviews by all members

 
awesome summer movie!
this movie, although a little bit freaky and violent, is probably the best futuristic movie i've seen in a while. it is slightly disguting (surgery, halfway "developed" humans, etc) and kids need to be mature enough to understand that they are "growing" human adults....and also killing the clones once they have done whatever they were created for. 13 and up.

DEE198747
teen, 15 years old
 
IT SAYS BAD WORDS IN THE MOVIE

 
Best Movie in a lllloooonnngggg time!!!!!
ok guys if you haven't seen this movie, it is a must for action fanatics everywhere. It is soo good. Funny in parts, and interesting because it is a very realistic portrayal of the future (2019). There are some rather gross parts and some "harvests" of the clones, but that is quick and then the action takes over. Protagonists kill or injure lots of nameless bad guys, but it is really a good movie. Great actors too (Ewan McGregor does a great job!!!!)

 
Makes You Think
There's alot not to like about this movie; I recommend it because, in the end, it provides a strong message about using people for replacement "parts" and the dignity of people. Topical for cloning, fetal stem cell research.

 
Beware of Certain Scene, if you have kids under 10
I really like this movie, and so do both my children, ages 6 and 9. I have seen it twice, and do not recall at ALL, seeing "commercialism" or advertising. Guess it's there, but I was too busy watching the actors to notice. Now to the part I warned you about: Just after the man and woman escape their city, in their (only) friend's livingroom, he mentions in a matter-of-fact-way, that there is no santa clause. I had my kids with me, and I about DIED when he said that. I didn't say a word, hoping they didn't think too much of it.

 
My Favorite Film
It may just be a cloning movie but it was a pro-life movie which I like about Michael Bay it was so good amazing!

Gerard1
adult
 
THE BEST MOVIE
ONE OF THE TOPS but nothing beats the godfather!

 
Exciting thinker
I was really impressed with this movie. I previously had no idea what it was about but it really intrigued me and kept me thinking for a long time after. The whole issue of cloning is real and relavant and sometimes scary. This explores one possibility and is entertaining at the same time. The acting was great, violent but not excessive.

 
Awesome!
This was a great movie, and not too violent or full of language. Great fun for everybody!

Brando804
teen, 16 years old
 
Great movie expierence! Not one to miss!
This is one of the better action-thrillers I've ever seen, everyone should see it! No language, and some scenes that might be disturbing to viewers under 10.

thejokerspencil
parent of and 3 , 11 , 12 , 17 year old
 
I Like it I really really LIke It

 
A great action movie that raises relevant questions
I viewed this movie last night and greatly enjoyed it. Yes, there are some downright disturbing parts and lots of violence, but overall I believe that you can get a lot from it if you take the time. Such as, the value of life, cloning, purpose. I was breathing a happy sigh of relief at the end. If you just want an action movie that has pretty good acting, check this one out.

sarahik695
teen, 16 years old
 
i have never seen so many brand names in a movie

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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