Director Michael Bay makes a welcome departure from his usual no-brainer, all-action fare with this thought-provoking offering.

The Island tells the story of Lincoln Six-Echo (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan Two-Delta (Scarlett Johansson) who live in a utopian environment where everything they do - from the food they eat to how they interact - is strictly controlled.

All the inhabitants dream of being chosen to live on the island - the world's last remaining paradise after a supposed environmental disaster.

Soon Lincoln begins to question his surroundings and decides to escape with best pal Jordan. He discovers they are actually clones whose summoning to the island means their real-life counterparts are in need of their body parts.

McGregor and Johansson are hardly your average action heroes but their on-screen pairing works. Both stars throw themselves into the stunning action sequences which are director Bay's forte.

And this is certainly much better than his previous offerings Armageddon and the much-slated Pearl Harbour.

Although action fans will love the fast-paced second half, this movie has an intriguing premise which should keep everyone hooked.

A scene where McGregor meets his clone is particularly clever and, despite being panned by US critics, his American accent sounded perfectly passable to my English ears.

Steve Buscemi proves yet again what a great character actor he is as Lincoln's human ally and Sean Bean is delightfully sinister as the institute's chief.

My only real criticism is of Bay's over use of cheesy 'power music' which is jarring and makes the sentimental ending amusing rather than touching.