I beg to differ. This futuristic psychodrama has action, pacing, good acting, and an intriguing premise that can be taken as a cautionary tale. What's more, Scarlett Johansson gets more beautiful in every movie. I simply don't agree that Director Michael Bay ("Armageddon," "Pearl Harbor") cares more about explosions and chases than about his characters. The charge, which I've read in some places, doesn't reflect the movie I saw. Or, did I just imagine that I was enjoying it?

In the mid-21st century Ewan McGregor ("Star Wars: Episodes I, II & III," "Moulin Rouge") and Scarlett Johansson ("Lost in Translation," "Girl With a Pearl Earring") take on the identifications of Lincoln Six-Echo (McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (clones of high priced designer Tom Lincoln and supermodel Sarah Jordan respectively, their DNA contributor back above ground) are "agnates" or "birthed" residents of a subterranean facility which, according to their imprinted memories, is a place that protects them from a dread "contamination" and which provides them the hope of someday winning the prize of going to the utopian "Island." They conceive it as the "promised land" but winning a trip to it means parts of them are needed for harvesting. This place is a storehouse of Spandex-attired product awaiting their owners' needs.

Reminiscent of several sci-fi movies, not the least of which is "The Truman Show," "The Sixth Day" with "The Minority Report" thrown in, Bay makes plenty out of the concept of cloning for commercial purposes. The intricacy of discovering their true status as brainwashed standby replicants makes for high tension escape and pursuit choreography with Michael Bay's no-stunt-holds-barred designs.

The dismissal of the artistry behind this movie, in story concept and execution, should be enough to disqualify a critic from ever judging a futuristic psychological action thriller fantasy again. They're not in my gene pool.

Sean Bean is his usual crackling good as the arch manager of the commercial conspiracy. Djimon Honsou his usual majestic self as the relentless but ultimately empathetic pursuer. The production design (Nigel Phelps), cinematography (Mauro Fiore) and action stuntwork are all exemplary in support of a fine level of acting by McGregor and Johansson who enveloped me into their discovery and desperation in what I thought a well paced, action-packed, imaginative piece of sci-fi. Music by Steve Jablonsky sharply assists.

                                      ~~  Jules Brenner