The Island

In a Summer of films I have largely enjoyed, namely Batman Begins, War of the Worlds and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, director of The Rock, Armaggedon and the risible Pearl Harbor, Michael Bay, delivers a high-gloss sci-fi tale that from the trailer promised much. Bay is good at what he does when allowed to do it freely, i.e. make things look pretty and then go boom! So from the start I never expected the subject of cloning to be dealt with with either sophistication or intelligence, and I'm glad, because with a plot this full of holes, expecting something cerebral would have resulted in big letdown. However, pretty it is, and with two highly charismatic leads in McGregor and Johannson, all you have to do is accept the cheese quotient and enjoy the ride. A dozen memorable moments and set pieces later and you still find yourself caring what happens (always a good sign...), despite plot twists being signposted a mile away and some dialogue that even Arnie would be ashamed of. As a popcorn muncher I can highly recommend this - it's cool, it's fast, the production design is great and you get your happy ending... and that's what Summer movies are for. 7/10 Kx