1godzillafan
07-23-2005, 06:09 PM
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The Island is a film destined to become infamous amung fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000. It's not because it's terrible, it's that it bears an uncanny resemblance between a film that appeared on the show called Parts: The Clonus Horror, but was never credited as a remake. So do I think it's a rip-off or just a coincidence (after all, Clonus was hardly a popular movie)? After seeing the final product, I have no clue. I have no problem believing that the idea itself could have been thought up by two people from two different generations, one not aware of the earlier film, but watching the movie, there are times that just feel like a carbon copy.
Many MSTies believe that Clonus as a film had potential, it just never used it the way it should. I disagree. The story itself was interesting enough, but no matter how I look at it I don't see it forming a story that will hold my attention for it's running time. Clonus attempted to do a drama, with disasterously boring results. The Island attempts an action film, which seems akward at best. Of course, the Island probably could have succeeded at what it was trying to do with a different director.
I have issues with Michael Bay, but nothing that would actually prevent me from enjoying his movies. My problem with his direction in the Island is that the story is from the point of view from two very naive characters. Michael Bay doesn't have a single naive bone in his body. I think Bay is best enjoyed with films like the Rock, which had a decent story that actually matched Bay's style, or the Bad Boys films, which themselves are nothing special yet are saved because of the joyful chemestry between Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. I daresay that Bay is even more mismatched with his material here than he was in Pearl Harbor, which is really saying something. Bay does indeed know how to construct a good action scene, however if he held back on the camera shaking and extreme closeups, he might pass off as a decent director for this project.
But of course, the story for the Island actually does succeed. But it also succeeded for Clonus as well, it was just boring. The Island is a lot spicier than Clonus, which helps keep the viewer from drifting off. It also plays off the characters' naiveness in a way that wasn't even touched in Clonus. Of course, this ends up with the required scene where the character's try to figure out the lingo. It's priceless to watch Lincoln Six Echo look confused after hearing the phrases "He's in the can" or "Taking a dump" ("Taking it where?" he asks back). Sure these are all oldies, but goodies.
But as the end credits rolled, I appreciated Arnold Schwarzenegger's the 6th Day more. I thought the idea of being replaced by a clone was more engaging and the villian was much more interesting. As for the Island, well, it's better than Clonus. Problem is, it's big, it's loud, it's blurry, it's Bay. If you have issues with that, spend your money elsewhere.
** 1/2 out of ****
The Island is a film destined to become infamous amung fans of Mystery Science Theater 3000. It's not because it's terrible, it's that it bears an uncanny resemblance between a film that appeared on the show called Parts: The Clonus Horror, but was never credited as a remake. So do I think it's a rip-off or just a coincidence (after all, Clonus was hardly a popular movie)? After seeing the final product, I have no clue. I have no problem believing that the idea itself could have been thought up by two people from two different generations, one not aware of the earlier film, but watching the movie, there are times that just feel like a carbon copy.
Many MSTies believe that Clonus as a film had potential, it just never used it the way it should. I disagree. The story itself was interesting enough, but no matter how I look at it I don't see it forming a story that will hold my attention for it's running time. Clonus attempted to do a drama, with disasterously boring results. The Island attempts an action film, which seems akward at best. Of course, the Island probably could have succeeded at what it was trying to do with a different director.
I have issues with Michael Bay, but nothing that would actually prevent me from enjoying his movies. My problem with his direction in the Island is that the story is from the point of view from two very naive characters. Michael Bay doesn't have a single naive bone in his body. I think Bay is best enjoyed with films like the Rock, which had a decent story that actually matched Bay's style, or the Bad Boys films, which themselves are nothing special yet are saved because of the joyful chemestry between Martin Lawrence and Will Smith. I daresay that Bay is even more mismatched with his material here than he was in Pearl Harbor, which is really saying something. Bay does indeed know how to construct a good action scene, however if he held back on the camera shaking and extreme closeups, he might pass off as a decent director for this project.
But of course, the story for the Island actually does succeed. But it also succeeded for Clonus as well, it was just boring. The Island is a lot spicier than Clonus, which helps keep the viewer from drifting off. It also plays off the characters' naiveness in a way that wasn't even touched in Clonus. Of course, this ends up with the required scene where the character's try to figure out the lingo. It's priceless to watch Lincoln Six Echo look confused after hearing the phrases "He's in the can" or "Taking a dump" ("Taking it where?" he asks back). Sure these are all oldies, but goodies.
But as the end credits rolled, I appreciated Arnold Schwarzenegger's the 6th Day more. I thought the idea of being replaced by a clone was more engaging and the villian was much more interesting. As for the Island, well, it's better than Clonus. Problem is, it's big, it's loud, it's blurry, it's Bay. If you have issues with that, spend your money elsewhere.
** 1/2 out of ****