Golden Screen Cinemas 1U: The Island

Finally. Finally, I experienced the much-talked-about GSC at 1 Utama Shopping Centre. Carpets leading from the escalators towards the cinema, it kind of reminded me about Crown Casino, Melbourne, Australia. It felt really classy – comfortable, spacious, with high ceilings. Thumbs up to the seats; Leathered head rests, the old ones were those velvet-like textures which tend to stink after awhile; Lots of space between the knees and the seat in front; and Great support for the backbone. Think our airlines engineers could learn a thing or two from the GSC seating design – we wouldn’t mind traveling long distances if they’re in place.

Golden Screen Cinema, 1 Utama

“Wanna watch The Island 9pm tonight?”

Had absolutely no idea what I was in for. From the movie title, I figured that it was going to be some kind of horror movie. Sigh… that’s alright. I’d probably enjoy the company anyways. Well, I was in for a pleasant surprise.

The Island

The world has been contaminated. The only survivors from the contamination were living in a facility. Lincoln Six-Echo (Ewan McGregor) like all the other survivors, live for only ONE PURPOSE – the chance to live on the last uncontaminated spot on Earth; The Island. The residents of The Island were determined via lotto, where all would gather expectantly for their names to be chosen. Lincoln Six was happy for his friend, Jordan Delta-Two (the extremely hot Scarlett Johansson) when she was chosen. It was then that he uncovered a great lie... Without disclosing the plot much further, allow me to share some thoughts about the show:

Why I didn’t like the movie:

• GSC and TGV websites has revealed too much of the plot. The official website holding the trailers practically gave away the whole movie without one watching it. Word of advice: if you’re reading about this movie for the first time NOW, don’t surf to those sites. I thoroughly enjoyed sitting though the movie without even knowing what genre the movie was.
• It’s genetically not possible to inherit memories via DNA. They could’ve NOT included this part of the plot, hence not lose credibility of its practicality.
• Vertical drop from what seemed like an above 30-storey building was cushioned by an extremely flimsy looking net *giggle*. Sigh… a BIT unbelievable, that. But, the suspense factor was definitely there.

Why I liked the movie:

• Wonderful script teamed with great action, WOW! If one did not read any summaries prior to the movie, he/she would be glued to their seats trying to figure out what the show was about for the first hour.
• Gory scenes, lots of slime and blood - not for the faint hearted. A few shock factors included when one least expects it to.
• Great futuristic, kick-ass mode of transportations. Makes me want to rush right up to the screen and grab one of those flying motorcycles.
• I loved the fact that there were two very big ‘feel’ contrasts between the first and second half of the show. The first half builds the plot whilst the second half is action-filled. Not many movies are unfolded that way,but it’s exactly how I love to write my own scripts – totally contrasting beginnings to the ends.