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A few of our readers wrote in to say that The Island — Michael Bay's new sci-fi thriller starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson as clones on the run — and the grippingly titled 1979 movie Parts: The Clonus Horror sound eerily similar. We did a bit of digging to determine if the similarities are, indeed, too clone — er, close — for comfort.

THE ISLAND Human clones live in a seemingly utopian society, wearing matching white jumpsuits. CLONUS Human clones live in a seemingly utopian society, wearing colored Adidas shirts and knee-high socks. Kind of like a clone version of Battle of the Network Stars.

THE ISLAND As Lincoln Six Echo, McGregor learns he's cloned after discovering a room full of clones stored in what look like giant breast implants. CLONUS As Richard, Tim Donnelly (we've never heard of him either) learns he's cloned after discovering a room full of clones stored in giant Ziploc bags.

THE ISLAND Clones are bred with Paris Hilton-like intelligence so they don't ask too many questions. CLONUS Clones are lobotomized with what looks like a motorized pizza cutter so they don't ask too many questions. (Such as why they're in this movie?)

THE ISLAND Clones are engineered and monitored by baddie Sean Bean. CLONUS Clones are engineered and monitored by. . . Dick Sargent? (Darrin No. 2 from Bewitched? Not so scary.)

THE ISLAND Six Echo romances fellow clone Jordan Two Delta (Johansson). CLONUS Richard romances fellow clone Lena. (Even the names are low-budget.)

THE ISLAND Doubles wear metallic wristbands so they can be identified. CLONUS Doubles wear metallic ear tags so they can. . .um. . .look like they're in a cheap sci-fi B movie. Mission accomplished!


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Posted Jul 22, 2005 | Published in issue #831 Jul 29, 2005 | Order Article Reprints