Renovatio Records presents a new release! Nearly two decades after its premiere, The Island (2005), directed by Michael Bay, remains a unique entry in his filmography: a science fiction thriller with an intriguing premise and a sleek, futuristic aesthetic. Despite a mixed critical reception, the film has found a dedicated audience over time. Starring Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johansson, Djimon Hounsou, Sean Bean, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Steve Buscemi, it blends elements of dystopia, action, and thriller in a story about clones discovering the truth behind their existence.
Set in a sterile, tightly controlled environment in the mid-21st century, the story follows Lincoln Six Echo (McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (Johansson), residents of a high-tech facility who believe they are among the last survivors of a contaminated Earth. Their only hope of escape is to be selected for "The Island," a supposed paradise free from pollution. However, Lincoln’s growing curiosity leads him to uncover a harrowing truth: he and the other inhabitants are clones, created to serve as organ donors for wealthy clients in the outside world. Realizing they are nothing more than expendable commodities, Lincoln and Jordan flee, setting off a high-stakes chase as they fight to expose the sinister operation behind their existence.
With a budget of approximately $126 million, the film had a modest box office performance, grossing around $162 million worldwide. While some critics praised its first half for its immersive atmosphere and mystery-building, many felt that the second half leaned too heavily into Bay’s signature explosive action, sidelining the philosophical depth of its premise. Nonetheless, The Island remains a visually striking and entertaining ride, filled with thrilling set pieces, high-speed chases, and grand spectacle—making it an exciting experience for fans of the genre.
One of the film’s most memorable elements is its score, composed by Steve Jablonsky in one of his earliest standout works. Blending orchestral and electronic elements, the score enhances the film’s futuristic world and emotional stakes, establishing a musical style that would go on to define Jablonsky’s career in major action and sci-fi productions.
The music of The Island is built around a series of recurring ideas that encapsulate the wonder, danger, and redemption experienced by the protagonists. The main theme, introduced in the opening cue "The Island Awaits You," undergoes multiple transformations throughout the score. Initially serving as an evocative motif in strings and chorus, backed by guitar phrases, this theme establishes the film’s futuristic yet poignant tone, later evolving into a love theme for the two protagonists, as heard in the track “This Tongue Thing's Amazing”. By the final track, "Rebirth," this theme is given a triumphant and uplifting variation, embodying the film’s climactic resolution. Featuring soaring instrumentation and powerful vocal elements, "Rebirth" has transcended the film itself, becoming a popular piece used in trailers and other media over the years.
The action sequences are propelled by sampled loops, pulsing electronic textures, and aggressive percussion, injecting a modern, high-energy feel into the film’s most intense moments. This dynamic fusion of electronic and orchestral elements is particularly evident in standout cues like "Product on the Loose," "Mass Vehicular Carnage," and "The Crazies Mess I've Ever Seen."
For the film’s more introspective moments—especially those tied to the philosophical aspects of cloning—Jablonsky incorporates acoustic textures, including ukulele and guitar, to lend warmth and humanity to the score. This is particularly effective in cues such as "Agnate Ukuleles" and "I’m Not Ready to Die," where the softer instrumentation contrasts beautifully with the film’s intense action and high-stakes drama.
Strings play a crucial role in the score’s most emotional moments, particularly in cues that explore the characters’ will to live, such as "Birth and Demise" and "Mass Winnings." These tracks weave a recurring melodic theme associated with survival and hope, reinforcing the emotional depth of Lincoln and Jordan’s journey.
Jablonsky's work on The Island was a turning point in his career, solidifying his voice as a modern mainstream composer and opening the door to numerous high-profile projects. The success of this score marked the beginning of his long-term collaboration with Michael Bay, leading to his work on the Transformers franchise and other major action films. This score not only established his signature style but also showcased his ability to seamlessly blend orchestral music with modern electronic elements, a hallmark that continues to define his work today.
Until now, fans had access only to the 2005 Milan Records release, which, while featuring some of the score’s best moments, omitted a significant amount of music and presented the tracks in a way that did not allow listeners to fully appreciate the score’s development within the film’s narrative. Renovatio Records’ new expanded edition corrects these issues with a presentation that includes previously unreleased music and a restructuring that follows the dramatic progression of the film. With enhanced sound quality and a more cohesive approach, this edition is the definitive version for both Jablonsky’s fans and film music enthusiasts, reaffirming the impact of its music in contemporary action cinema.
Track listing:
Cover Artwork:
Credits:
Cue Assembly:
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Track Title |
Cue Title |
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1. The Island Awaits You |
1m1 Main Title |
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2. Lincoln and Jordan |
1m2 Missing A Shoe 2m12 Good Things Do Happen |
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3. Merrick Biotech |
1m5 Pt1 Health Club (Edited) 2m11 Home for a Moth 4m24 Route 39 |
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4. Lincoln’s Dreams |
1m5b Nice Tests (Edited) 2m7 Lima in Labour – My Chip Fried (Edited) |
|
5. Agnate Ukuleles |
2m10 Agnate Ukuleles |
|
|
2m10b Ukuleles B – Electric Boogaloo |
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6. Birth and Demise |
3m14a Releasing The Moth 3m14b Lima's Demise 3m15 Starkweather's Demise (Edited) |
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7. Product on the Loose |
3m16-17 A Product on the Loose (Edited) 3m18b Censor Chase – Part 2 (Edited) 3m19c Censor Chase – Part 3 (Edited) 4m19d The Outside World |
|
8. You’re Clones |
5m25 Eat The Burger, Meet The Cow 5m31-32 In L.A. - Calvin Klein (Edited) |
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9. Mass Vehicular Carnage |
5m32b Tracking the Clones (Edited) 6m33b Shootout 6m33d On Foot (Edited) 6m33e Train Wheels (Edited) 6m33e Train Wheels (Alternate) (Edited) 6m33g Wasp Chase (Alternate) (Edited) |
|
10. The Craziest Mess I’ve Ever Seen |
3m18a Censor Chase - Part 1 (Edited) 6m33h The Big R (Edited) |
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11. I’m Not Ready to Die |
7m41 Ready To Die, Apparently 6m38 Tom Sells Out His Clone 7m42 Laurent Is Fooled |
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12. This Tongue Thing's Amazing |
6m35a The Rain 7m43 This Tongue Thing's Amazing |
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13. Mass Winnings |
7m44 Mass Winnings 7m45 Return to the Institute – Part 1
(Edited) 7m45b Return To The Institute – Part 2 |
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14. My Name is Lincoln |
7m45 Return To The Institute (Part 3) 7m45 Return To The Institute (Part 3
Alternate) 8m46 Busting Some Ass 8m48 Laurent Questions Merrick 8m49-50 Do Not Disconnect – Breaker (Edited) 8m50B-51 Final Fight - Better Call
Maintenance (Edited) 8m47 Rendezvous (Edited) 8m51v2 Better Call Maintenance 8m49-50 Do Not Disconnect – Breaker (Edited) |
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15. Rebirth |
8m52 The End Of Merrick |