The Island Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of Michael Bay's "The Island," courtesy of Warner Brothers-UK, stands out with its original 2.40:1 aspect ratio and a clean 1080p transfer encoded with VC-1, ensuring viewers enjoy a visually stunning experience. Particularly noteworthy is the disc's handling of color—blues, yellows, reds, whites, and blacks are brilliantly showcased, making the futuristic aesthetics of the movie’s first half pop. This visually rich palette transitions smoothly into the more natural but heavily tinted yellow of the desert scenes in the film's latter part, presenting a consistent visual style that complements the changing tone of the narrative. The level of clarity and detail throughout is exemplary, from the pristine condition of the actual print, free from debris or damage, to the well-managed contrast that highlights the texture and depth of both interior and exterior scenes.

While some minor edge enhancement can be observed, particularly during the more clinically white scenes of the incubators, it does not detract significantly from the overall viewing experience. This is a testament to the quality of the transfer and the care taken in preserving the film's dynamic visual appeal. The technical aspects of this release are well-executed, with no serious concerns regarding macroblocking or other digital compression artifacts that could mar the viewing experience.

Importantly for collectors and enthusiasts beyond the UK, this Blu-ray release is marketed as Region-B but is indeed region-free. This detail ensures wider accessibility, allowing those with Region-A players in North America to enjoy this high-quality presentation without hindrance. The inclusion of this feature reflects a thoughtful consideration for the film's fan base and Blu-ray collectors globally, making "The Island" a notable addition to one's high-definition library.

The Blu-ray release of "The Island" features a diverse audio offering, comprising six audio tracks: English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish in Dolby Digital 5.1, along with an English Descriptive Audio track in 2.0. While the inclusion of multiple language options demonstrates an attempt to cater to a wide audience, the absence of an English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track is a notable oversight. In an era where home theater enthusiasts seek the most immersive audio experiences, the lack of a lossless audio option on such a visually and sonically dynamic film feels like a missed opportunity for Warner to showcase what could have been a reference-quality Blu-ray disc.

Despite this, the existing English Dolby Digital 5.1 track performs admirably under scrutiny. The mix impressively handles the dynamic range of action sequences, with particular emphasis on the use of rear channels and the delivery of potent bass that enriches the overall viewing experience. The highway chase scene stands out as a testament to this, where the audio's depth, while not reaching the heights of lossless quality, still provides a satisfying rumble that necessitates volume adjustment for full appreciation. Dialogue remains crisp and intelligible throughout, free from any detracting artifacts such as pops or hisses, ensuring that the narrative elements are never lost amidst the spectacle.

The provision of extensive subtitle options, including English (standard and hard of hearing options), French, German (with and without hard of hearing options), Italian (also with and without hard of hearing options), Spanish, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish, reflects a commendable effort to accessibility. However, the consistent return in discussions around audio quality to the absence of a lossless track cannot be ignored. While the Blu-ray delivers a solid auditory experience with what it has, it's hard not to speculate on the unexploited potential of "The Island" as a true auditory showcase, had a Dolby TrueHD track been included.

The Blu-ray release of "The Island" offers a glimpse behind the scenes with its singular extra feature, a "Making Of" featurette that caters to enthusiasts of the film's production intricacies. Helmed by Michael Bay, the inclusion delves into the execution of its notable action sequences, spotlighting the extensive range of equipment and techniques employed. Though solely presented in 480/60i, ensuring compatibility across regions (notably playable on US PS3s), it's complemented by a commendably diverse array of optional subtitles, catering to an international audience with languages including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and several Nordic options. This featurette stands as a testament to the meticulous crafting of "The Island," albeit as the lone extra, it leaves the viewer yearning for more behind-the-scenes content.

Extras included in this disc:

• Making Of "The Island": A behind-the-scenes look at the production of "The Island," featuring insights from Michael Bay and the cast and crew, with optional subtitles in multiple languages.

Michael Bay's "The Island," his sixth directorial venture, presents an ambitious dystopian narrative that arguably strays from his usual repertoire with its intriguing premise. Set in a future where a giant incubator clones humans as life insurance for the wealthy, the plot thickens when two of these clones, Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson), uncover the truth behind their existence and the so-called utopian "Island" they aspire to win access to through a lottery—a facade for a grim fate. Despite the film's attempt at weaving a complex story, it often stumbles, entangled in its flashy action sequences, which, while visually spectacular, detract from the philosophical depth it seemingly aims to explore.

Critics have not hesitated to point out the film’s logical inconsistencies and at times nonsensical dialogues. Yet, it cannot be denied that "The Island" excels in delivering high-octane action and impressive visuals. The transition from a more contemplative, futuristic setting to a relentless action barrage in its latter half, however, feels disjointed, almost as if melding two disparate films into one. This schism somewhat undermines the narrative coherence and dilutes the impact of the thematic elements initially set up.

Bay's technique shines through in the action domain, with sequences like the lauded highway chase showcasing a technical prowess that elevates these moments to cinematic highlights. The dynamic camerawork and meticulous CGI work underscore Bay's commitment to crafting visually stimulating spectacles. Despite criticism, "The Island" stands as a testament to Bay's ability to fuse explosive action with thought-provoking (albeit at times flawed) storytelling, making it a unique albeit polarizing entry in his filmography.

"The Island" on Blu-ray caters to fans of Michael Bay's dynamic directing style, merging his signature high-octane action with a futuristic aesthetic that sets this film apart from his earlier work. Though the narrative occasionally falters, the visual spectacle and thrilling pace largely compensate, offering an engaging experience for viewers willing to overlook its scriptural shortcomings. This release, brought to market by Warner Brothers-UK, showcases the visually stunning aspects of the film with great efficacy. However, it falls slightly short of perfection due to the absence of a lossless audio track, an addition that could have enhanced the overall sensory experience.

Despite these drawbacks, the Blu-ray edition presents "The Island" in a favorable light. Its picture quality is commendable, capturing the intricacies of Bay’s futuristic world with clarity and precision. This Region-Free disc is a noteworthy mention for collectors and fans alike, particularly because "The Island" was not previously available on Blu-ray in the United States. The attempt to offer this film in high definition, despite lacking in some areas, is applaudable and signifies a step towards acknowledging the importance of audio-visual quality in enriching cinematic experiences.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "The Island" impresses with its visual presentation and marks a significant attempt to immortalize Michael Bay's unique vision, it leaves room for improvement in the auditory domain. Viewers seeking a visually captivating experience will find this edition rewarding, yet the absence of a lossless audio track might detract from the overall immersion. Despite these limitations, it remains a commendable effort and a must-have for enthusiasts of science fiction and action cinema, making it a recommended addition to any Blu-ray collection.