Why is this movie so unpopular? - The Island (2005) Discussion

[–] PopSixSquish 11 years ago

I just watched it on TV (for Steve Buscemi, haha), not expecting it to be as good as it was, and had the same thought--"Why haven't I heard of this before?" Seems like it should have been a bigger, more "important" and well-known film. Very interesting. It felt like a Star Trek plot line (and yep, I spotted Ethan Phillips!) Of course, it's also comparable to Blade Runner and any other "You're not a real human being, you're just a technological creation with implanted memories" plots, yet it managed not to feel like a retread. I agree with Sandia 100%.

"If you don't have anything nice to say...come sit by me!"

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[–] TooPrettyInPink 11 years ago

It's a beautiful movie, the sci-fi storyline, stunning cinematography, and Scarlett Johansson really left an impression on me. The only thing I didn't like about it was the superfluous action, but even that doesn't ruin the movie.

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[–] Jenocalypse 11 years ago

This movie is a blasphemy against faith based belief. I love it because of that, but I'm sure there are those who don't.

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[–] barbosa-vicki 11 years ago

"This movie is a blasphemy against faith based belief."
I don't get why you say that. I'm a Christian and I always enjoy this film.
It posits the creation of clones for replacement parts, which may be possible some day. It points out the evil of using human beings for immoral purposes; the premise is very moral.
If you're worried about how or when God infuses a human being with a soul, it seems obvious to me that it happens at the moment of conception, whether in intercourse or in a petri dish, it wouldn't matter. Not everyone agrees, of course.

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[–] Jenocalypse 11 years ago

"This movie is a blasphemy against faith based belief."
I don't get why you say that

Consider the tropical paradise of the island as an allegory for heavenly rewards, and the employees of the facility as allegorical stand-ins for church leaders, and The Island becomes a cautionary tale that we may not actually get what we've been led to expect, and those we entrust with our future welfare may not be as benevolent as they seem.

Those who allow themselves to be led only by faith (at the expense of reason) may be setting themselves up for a fall, and they don't like being reminded of it. At least that's been my experience.

“I'm a Christian and I always enjoy this film.
It posits the creation of clones for replacement parts, which may be possible some day. It points out the evil of using human beings for immoral purposes; the premise is very moral.“

I don't emphasize that so much in The Island, but it's an important part of the Schwarzenegger movie The 6th Day. Thank you for sharing.

“If you're worried about how or when God infuses a human being with a soul, it seems obvious to me that it happens at the moment of conception, whether in intercourse or in a petri dish, it wouldn't matter. Not everyone agrees, of course.”

I don't have a opinion on that one way or the other, but in the case of The Island I think you're right.

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[–] darkflameq 11 years ago

No idea, i watched it when it came out in the Cinema in the UK back in 2005, was an awesome movie and Scarlett was the hottest in this.

"And i know Jesus loves you", lol best line in the movie!

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[–] Gandalf886 11 years ago

In my opinion..

"The Island" is like Elysium; it had an excellent premise that should have provoked thought (cloning people for spare parts?), but it just turned into a mindless action movie.

And the ending was pretty stupid.

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[–] Ldotdo1 10 years ago

This movie never blew up big because it actually has a pretty well written and well developed story to it for being a Michael Bay movie. Typical Bay fans actually prefer a good unoriginal washed up storyline with tons and tons of effects. This movie actually makes you think deeply like holy crap I can see this really happening in the future.

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[–] IMDB_Vits 10 years ago

It borrows from a lot of movies (TXH-1138, LOGAN'S RUN, COMA, etc.), and it doesn't explore the moral dilemmas. Instead, it's mostly one action sequence after another.

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[–] philoj 8 years ago

It borrows from a lot of movies (TXH-1138, LOGAN'S RUN, COMA, etc.)

Actually it's a carbon copy of "Parts: The Clonus Horror"

If you feel the need to watch it, hunt down the Mystery Science Theater version. Trust me.

--
Philo's Law: To learn from your mistakes, you have to realize you're making mistakes.

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[–] boviemuff 10 years ago

Because it is shallow and boring crap.

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[–] Manfrombelmonty 10 years ago

It's a bit dull and uninspiring. Interesting premise which turned out to be a bit shallow. Moved from something that could have been thought provoking sci fi into a generic bad guys chase good guys action movie. It seems to be forgotten because it wasn't an original fleshed out sci fi movie and it also failed to deliver on the action movie front. A bit messy and a bit drab

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[–] 10 years ago

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[–] desrozenko 10 years ago

While I liked the film, I can see why it would be unpopular. Many people are tired of remakes and rip off's.

This movie is basically Logan's Run, with pieces of other blockbusters mixed in. You've got the human hive (The Matrix), birth of the clone (The Sixth Day), memory implants (Blade Runner), and the organ harvesting (Coma). The only concept that's new here is that society is personally sponsoring their own clones.

Let me breathe, Let me see if my therapist is on speed dial.

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[–] 10 years ago

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