Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Roxie The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

rdoyle29 Michael Caine plays a reporter who runs afoul of modern day pirates when investigating a rash of ship disappearances in the Caribbean. His son tags along with him and the pirates attempt to make him one of them. This film came with high commercial hopes since it's an adaptation of a Peter Benchley novel, but it tanked, mostly because it's not a very good film. The biggest problem is the pirates who largely come off as more goofy than threatening. A lot of great actors, lead by David Warner, fail to menace Caine convincingly or do much of anything interesting. Michael Ritchie is a really odd choice to direct this, and I'm sure some of the bizarrely unsuccessful tone can be credited to this choice.

Diane Ruth This is quite simply one of the worst motion pictures ever made for the big screen. Michael Ritchie was lucky he was ever allowed near any kind of camera after directing this cinema abomination. The story is utterly ridiculous and the script a total piece of absurd trash. Peter Benchley made a fortune writing mindless garbage but this is the very nadir of his limited talent. While Michael Caine is always able to rise above the horrible films in which he has periodically appeared, that was not the case with this abysmal effort. Caine has never given a really poor performance except in this unholy turkey. It's as if he lost all sense of what he is as an actor or even as a human being and became a horror movie clown suddenly. A lifetime ago I paid to sit through this cinematic waste and was stunned by the ineptitude, the embarrassment, the unpleasantness, and stupidity that flickered before my eyes. It was and is awful beyond all comprehension. There is no way one can grasp the purpose of this movie except everyone involved wanted to make a fast and easy buck. Of all the films ever produced, this is one of those rare ones that lacks any redeemable value at all and is absent all merit. There is no excuse for this thing and everyone involved should feel deeply and eternally ashamed for not only participating in this film's production but especially for inflicting such ugly, disturbing swill on audiences wishing for nothing more than escapist entertainment.

grantss Probably one of Michael Caine's worst movies, if not his worst.. Could have been an interesting and gritty movie, but some of the direction is plain bizarre. Basic plot was good, and the initial set-up was quite gritty, however, from a point it becomes rather frivolous. One moment the pirates are the bad guys, killing people in cold blood, next moment we're almost expected to like them and sympathise with them. From that point, every time the pirates attack a ship, a rather jaunty soundtrack is playing in the background, as if this is a kid's movie, or a comedy! But then they go and kill people, rather graphically.Plot does become rather random towards the end, too.Caine's performance is OK, especially considering what little he had to work with. Some of the pirates are a bit over-the-top though.

ersinkdotcom It is hard to believe "The Island" did not do well when it came out three decades ago. You would think that audiences would have clamored to see it after the huge successes of "Jaws" and "The Deep," which was author Peter Benchley's other big screen adaptations.Investigative reporter Blair Maynard (Michael Caine) heads to the Caribbean with his son (Jeff Frank) to solve the mystery of disappearing boats, their crews, and passengers. He is obsessed with debunking the myths surrounding what many call "the Bermuda Triangle." During his search for the truth, Blair and his son are apprehended by marauding pirates. They take the two to their island where they are still living life as centuries-old buccaneers. Blair must find a way to escape the island and save his brainwashed son from the pirates and their leader (David Warner).I imagine the movie version of "The Island" can be trusted as what Peter Benchley wanted viewers to see since he wrote the screenplay. The film moves along at a nice pace and establishes its characters strongly. It does a good job of building up to its climax even if the ending does feel abrupt.Director Michael Ritchie did a great job capturing the beautiful locations used to make the film. Everything from the tattered clothing of the pirates to the natural settings evokes a sense of authenticity. His knack for timing shines through in particular scenes with suspenseful build-ups. Richard A. Harris's editing gives viewers just enough of shockingly brutal scenes to induce a queasy feeling in the stomach of viewers who aren't regular watchers of gory genre films.Michael Caine does his usual wonderful job portraying Blair Maynard. He keeps Maynard balancing desperately between calm and frenzy as he sees how the pirates live and what they plan to do to his son. Jeff Frank is convincing in his role of Caine's son, Justin Maynard. He might possibly have the toughest role in the film. He has to convince the audience he is a true convert and has become a buccaneer. David Warner is perfect as the reserved-yet-volatile leader of the pirates."The Island" is an unnerving suspense thriller which holds just enough violence and gore to please horror and slasher fans. I recommend it for viewers who enjoyed "The Wicker Tree" and Benchley's "The Deep." Although it is not perfect, this is a film that deserves more recognition than it received in its initial release.