The Island is a fantastic action/ sci-fi movie from the director of Armageddon and The Rock, Michael Bay, who uses the idea of world run by the Big Brother from George Orwell’s 1984.
Ewan McGregor (Lincoln Six-Echo) and Scarlett Hohansson (Jordan Two-Delta), residents of the hi-tech isolated compound impersonate Winston and Julia from 1984.
In the middle of 21century, Lincoln Six-Echo (Winston) lives in a controlled, and run in strict orders society. He is told what to dress, eat and is forbidden closer contacts with other members of the society; no touching or free thinking, having conversations is limited by time and content. Questioning is not allowed and traced by the “Doctor” (O’Brien, Big Brother).
The life of all members of the society is monitored for “their own good” as they have survived the ecological catastrophe, which presumably killed everyone else.
The only place that survived outside was “The Island”- the last piece of land that was not polluted. Only chosen members of the society are allowed onto the Island. The Big Lottery that is made periodically, picking people from the society, becomes a symbol of desires, an award that gives aim to their lives and something to look forward to. The winner goes onto the beautiful Island and has to help in rebuilding the worlds’ population.
Lincoln keeps having dreams which make him question all the restrictions put onto members of his society. It is immediately noticed and Lincoln is called to the room (Room 101) and questioned about his dreams.
His suspicions begin when he discovers that not everything is as it seems and that everything to do with his life is a lie. He finds out that people who win the lottery don’t go to The Island and that they are worth more dead than alive. He discovers The Merrick Institute's Foundation room in which the agnates are implanted with memories of lives never lived.
When Jordan (Julia) is chosen to go to The Island, Lincoln decides to stop her. This is when their big escape to the unknown world outside begins. After they discover they are clones they begin their chase after their sponsors and reasons for their creation.
However, runs the project of keeping the clones in state of officially called “vegetation”. The Institute claims that their project of creating organ donors is done within the law about cloning people set in 2015, and it is nowhere near stopping their multimillion business.
Having two not “vegetating” but living clones outside is a disastrous threat for The Merrick Institute. The Institute sends special forces to retrieve the two clones. Lincoln and Jordan run away to lead a dream life they always wanted and to save the lives of those they left behind. Soon they reveal the truth about The Island.
The Island by Michael Bay- Contemporary version of George Orwell's 1984
Winchester University Journalism Course History and Context of Journalism Part III
