The Island (2005 film)

The Island (2005) is a science fiction film released by DreamWorks SKG on July 22, 2005. Directed by Michael Bay, it stars Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. The screenplay was written by Caspian Tredwell-Owen, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci.

Political and ethical symbolism

The film comes out at a time when stem-cell research has come to the fore of public debate, and much of the dialogue of "The Island" can be read as a critique on recent advancements in genetic experimentation. Such debates frequently center around what constitutes personhood, whether the benefits outweigh the destruction of human embryos, and the potential for "God-like" behavior among geneticists.

Related Topics:
Stem-cell research - Genetic - Personhood - Geneticist

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The name of the head doctor (and antagonist of the film, played by Sean Bean), has the name "Dr. Merrick." This name shows a striking similarity to the pharmaceutical company Merck.

Related Topics:
Antagonist - Sean Bean - Merck

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Towards the end of the movie there is to be a mass-execution of "defective" products. They are put into a large room marked "incinerator" and made to burn. This is a poignant and unavoidable reference to the Holocaust and the cremation of "defective" human beings.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The movie may also be considered to include subtle references to the Exodus - after escaping, Lincoln (McGregor) returns to free his people. The last images of the film are powerful, hundreds of white-clad agnates spill out of captivity into a desert and the new world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~