Synaptic Brain Scan

So, I have watched The Island (Dir. M. Bay) and I can say it is a good movie that I haven't been bored with.
I enjoy the visuals and I can relate to Michael Bay in that the visual element of the film seems to be the best tool used to communicate the story.
Dialogue is ok, and it seems that Bay isn't concerned on nailing any performances that will make you gasp.


The point really quickly is that Bay uses the camera as an evolved tool to help tell the story. Instead of capturing 100 takes of Scarlett Johansson screaming 'Run', Bay is concerned with things like...what colors do I want to make this picture consume.
In The Island we see plenty of yellows and greens, we notice a super big change in the imagery as soon as Merrick's plot is revealed.

Do you remember the Matrix? Do you remember the difference between scenes in the 'real world' and scenes in the Matrix? Matrix filming was all done with the addition of a Green filter.
These are things that were tried in like... Metropolis that we're just catching up with. Bay is a picture oriented director, that's the point I guess I'm making.


I just wanted to talk about a particular scene from The Island where crazy Merrick is using those 'nano-bots' to scan Lincoln's brain. I want to remark on the really wide shot that was used to zoom in from behind Merrick's back right onto Lincoln's face.
This is such a fucking awesome shot. Do they rail the camera closer? I think not. This is all done with a single optic - an incredible zoom lens.

Everytime though I am astounded by the level of focus.
Bay relentlessly reminds us on his commentary track included on the DVD that it is not a CGI manipulation.
Anyway, I love it and this is Hollywood Evolution.