The Island

***spoilers for the film "The Island"***

We just saw the new Scarlett Johansson/Ewan McGregor futuristic high tech thriller. Though the idea was not original, the futuristic details were intriguing. The white Puma outfits, mid-air transit, the pristine and minimal decor, etc. I couldn't help thinking of other films and books that have set the stage for this film. (Ayn Rand's Anthem and Minority Report are a few things that came to mind) Anyway, for nearly 130 minutes, I completely forgot about work, the fact that my arms were killing me (surfing training and yoga today....), that I live in California (?!), my friend Mark in London, and the fact that it was incredibly hot out at 8:00 p.m. tonight. I was was either giggling or grimacing throughout the film, but it was an escape--and that always makes a film work for me.

Here are some post-Island thoughts:

-You'd think in 15 years from now that the "products" could have been designed to have healthy replaceable organs, yet mentalities that wouldn't allow for problematic existential questioning?

-Clones developed to the mental level of 15-year-olds? Adults reading "Dick and Jane" aloud? This is not saying much for adolescence.

-Even if you're cloned with the mentality of a 15-year-old, at least you're manufactured with a superhuman ability to fall from skyscrapers without dying, dodge bullets, drive a futuristic motorcycles through buildings without a scratch, and instinctively know how to drive.

-I'd make a good "product." I actually didn't think the "island" was a ruse for something else. I envisioned healthy tans and long banana lines for those transported.

-If it ever becomes possible for people to purchase "insurance policies," will we say things like, "Botox was so early 2000's" or "Cryogenics? Yeah, right..." or "I can just feel that it's my liver you know, I can't believe we used to be desperate for just anyones!"

-Since CGI makes it possible for you to play against yourself in scenes, shouldn't you always be able to evoke "good chemistry?"

-MSN will have the monopoly on live action search technology

-Cloned humans seem to have "fugitive fortitude," they have no need for food or drink whilst on the run