The 6th Day (UK - BD)
Benjamin Willcock wishes he had a clone to sit through dire films like this
I haven’t seen this film since it came out on DVD a few years ago. I saw it just the once. The reason I was so eager to review it on Blu-ray was because I seem to remember this film being a solid yet underrated science fiction flick that was definitely worthy of a re-watch. Oh, how my film tastes have matured in the last few years. Putting it nicely, I loathed this film the second time around.

Everything about it is contrived, forced and puts you in mind of a cheap television show rather than a multi-million dollar blockbuster with one of the most recognizable action stars of the twentieth century. If Stephen Spielberg’s well-crafted vision of the future in Minority Report is a staple by which modern sci-fi films are judged, then The 6th Day is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s lazy, unimaginative, even dull.
One of the main problems is the underlining concept. Cloning is the film’s core message and don’t get me wrong, it does have some valuable insights into the many problems it can cause, but the way the film presents its arguments both for and against cloning is delivered in such a way that the audience won’t give a rats arse. In fact they’ll walk away having no real opinion on the matter. The film is stupid, and it treats its audience as such.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the film is also a failure in terms of filmmaking as much as it is in delivering powerful messages worthy of discussion. Acting is at times painful to watch; even Arnie himself delivers a handful of wince-inducing lines that’ll make your stomach turn. He has the ability to do this in a few films, but not like he does here. And the oh-so clichéd villain must surely qualify for some sort of award for being one of the most embarrassing film villains in the last ten years. In his last few scenes towards the end I was forcefully reminded of Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers series.
So it fails to make us care about cloning, but at least it might entertain us with its visuals and pounding action sequences? No. Don’t even count on it. As with the mounting failures stacked up against The 6th Day thus far, perhaps the biggest complaint is that it simply fails to entertain. Putting it bluntly, it’s boring. This is meant to be an action film, but it contains surprisingly little of it.

Instead you’ll find a muddled story, confused, disjointed characters and special effects that resemble something you might find in The Power Rangers rather than in a film that reportedly cost upwards of one hundred million dollars. You won’t find the usual Arnie sarcasm either, at least not in the quantity you’d expect. For me this was the finishing blow. What good comes from using Arnold Schwarzenegger if you aren’t going to make him dive though explosions or deliver some quirky one-liners?
It isn’t all bad though. There are elements I did enjoy, such as the mere presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger himself and the usual charm he brings to even the most uninteresting characters. He might not be very well used here but he’s the only reason I sat through it.
Other than this a few other minor things, the film is a giant disappointment and I can’t imagine what I saw in it a few years ago. Perhaps I was intoxicated at the time? Or perhaps I really didn’t have a great deal of taste in films back then. Whatever the reason the stark truth cannot be ignored: The 6th Day is a lousy science fiction endeavor you can certainly live without. In fact you’d probably be better off without ever seeing it.

The disappointments for this disc continue well beyond the film. This high definition transfer is going to show you the film better than you’ve ever seen it before, but that doesn’t make it good by any means. This is exactly the kind of Blu-ray disc you can show to somebody and they’d assume it was a regular DVD—a good looking DVD, but a DVD nonetheless.
Nothing really stands out as being high definition, save for a few close ups here and there. Black levels are not as deep as they ought to be either considering the dark tones used regularly in the cinematography, and the fine detail is, well, not so fine. This is a good transfer compared to what you traditionally see on DVD, but it just doesn’t have that high definition shine. Due to this, it comes across as somewhat lackluster.

So, the film was a flop, the Blu-ray video wasn’t up to scratch with most new releases, but can the audio quality possibly redeem this disc? In a word, no. Again, it isn’t bad, it just doesn’t feel like anything special. For an action film you expect more. I certainly did at any rate. Dialogue here is fine and well delivered, but some of the action sequences don’t have that certain punch that reassures you why you spent so much money on your home theatre setup.
‘Showtime Special: The Future is Coming’ is a run-of-the-mill behind the scenes making of feature that you’re only likely to watch once. It features a selection of cast and crew members discussing the themes of the film. ‘Animatics’ has two animated storyboards for you to watch.
‘On The 6th Day’ is a collection of nine featurettes covering various aspects of production. Up next is a ‘Storyboard Comparisons’ feature which covers three scenes from the film. Lastly there’s a ‘Repet Informercial and TV Spot’ along with some previews.

The DVD for this film a few years ago wasn’t anything to shout home about and things have not changed in the next generation. The disc isn’t exactly a dud, but it could have been a lot better. The film is deeply flawed and boring for a high budget science fiction film, the video is only marginally better than the DVD version and the audio isn’t much better either. There are a few decent special features to choose from, but nothing you’d watch more than once. This is a very mixed Blu-ray disc, and one reserved only for die-hard fans of the film.
* Note: The above images are taken from the Blu-ray release and resized for the page.

Feature
Everything about it is contrived, forced and puts you in mind of a cheap television show rather than a multi-million dollar blockbuster with one of the most recognizable action stars of the twentieth century. If Stephen Spielberg’s well-crafted vision of the future in Minority Report is a staple by which modern sci-fi films are judged, then The 6th Day is at the opposite end of the spectrum. It’s lazy, unimaginative, even dull.
One of the main problems is the underlining concept. Cloning is the film’s core message and don’t get me wrong, it does have some valuable insights into the many problems it can cause, but the way the film presents its arguments both for and against cloning is delivered in such a way that the audience won’t give a rats arse. In fact they’ll walk away having no real opinion on the matter. The film is stupid, and it treats its audience as such.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the film is also a failure in terms of filmmaking as much as it is in delivering powerful messages worthy of discussion. Acting is at times painful to watch; even Arnie himself delivers a handful of wince-inducing lines that’ll make your stomach turn. He has the ability to do this in a few films, but not like he does here. And the oh-so clichéd villain must surely qualify for some sort of award for being one of the most embarrassing film villains in the last ten years. In his last few scenes towards the end I was forcefully reminded of Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers series.
So it fails to make us care about cloning, but at least it might entertain us with its visuals and pounding action sequences? No. Don’t even count on it. As with the mounting failures stacked up against The 6th Day thus far, perhaps the biggest complaint is that it simply fails to entertain. Putting it bluntly, it’s boring. This is meant to be an action film, but it contains surprisingly little of it.

Instead you’ll find a muddled story, confused, disjointed characters and special effects that resemble something you might find in The Power Rangers rather than in a film that reportedly cost upwards of one hundred million dollars. You won’t find the usual Arnie sarcasm either, at least not in the quantity you’d expect. For me this was the finishing blow. What good comes from using Arnold Schwarzenegger if you aren’t going to make him dive though explosions or deliver some quirky one-liners?
It isn’t all bad though. There are elements I did enjoy, such as the mere presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger himself and the usual charm he brings to even the most uninteresting characters. He might not be very well used here but he’s the only reason I sat through it.
Other than this a few other minor things, the film is a giant disappointment and I can’t imagine what I saw in it a few years ago. Perhaps I was intoxicated at the time? Or perhaps I really didn’t have a great deal of taste in films back then. Whatever the reason the stark truth cannot be ignored: The 6th Day is a lousy science fiction endeavor you can certainly live without. In fact you’d probably be better off without ever seeing it.

Video
The disappointments for this disc continue well beyond the film. This high definition transfer is going to show you the film better than you’ve ever seen it before, but that doesn’t make it good by any means. This is exactly the kind of Blu-ray disc you can show to somebody and they’d assume it was a regular DVD—a good looking DVD, but a DVD nonetheless.
Nothing really stands out as being high definition, save for a few close ups here and there. Black levels are not as deep as they ought to be either considering the dark tones used regularly in the cinematography, and the fine detail is, well, not so fine. This is a good transfer compared to what you traditionally see on DVD, but it just doesn’t have that high definition shine. Due to this, it comes across as somewhat lackluster.

Audio
So, the film was a flop, the Blu-ray video wasn’t up to scratch with most new releases, but can the audio quality possibly redeem this disc? In a word, no. Again, it isn’t bad, it just doesn’t feel like anything special. For an action film you expect more. I certainly did at any rate. Dialogue here is fine and well delivered, but some of the action sequences don’t have that certain punch that reassures you why you spent so much money on your home theatre setup.
Extras
‘Showtime Special: The Future is Coming’ is a run-of-the-mill behind the scenes making of feature that you’re only likely to watch once. It features a selection of cast and crew members discussing the themes of the film. ‘Animatics’ has two animated storyboards for you to watch.
‘On The 6th Day’ is a collection of nine featurettes covering various aspects of production. Up next is a ‘Storyboard Comparisons’ feature which covers three scenes from the film. Lastly there’s a ‘Repet Informercial and TV Spot’ along with some previews.

Overall
The DVD for this film a few years ago wasn’t anything to shout home about and things have not changed in the next generation. The disc isn’t exactly a dud, but it could have been a lot better. The film is deeply flawed and boring for a high budget science fiction film, the video is only marginally better than the DVD version and the audio isn’t much better either. There are a few decent special features to choose from, but nothing you’d watch more than once. This is a very mixed Blu-ray disc, and one reserved only for die-hard fans of the film.
* Note: The above images are taken from the Blu-ray release and resized for the page.
Review by Benjamin Willcock
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Existing Posts
Keep 'em coming guys - I prefer to know if a film such as this (which I don't have yet) is worth buying on BD or not. I didn't mind this film and was thinking of getting it from the cheapie bin and this type of review helps me decide whether it is worth paying the extra kudos for the BD.....
Technology always moves forward, not backwards...
Technology always moves forward, not backwards...
What and where is £uckasz D's website. Just so I can have a look at it and marvel at it's undoubted perfection. It sounds like the place to go for all things DVD.
Funny,I thought they did address the issue of the clones lifespan,by removing the faulty genes that caused early death?
It's your dodgy search engine not showing the correct results

Chris Gould wrote: We haven't even reviewed this film before anyway.
Ahem... although it's quite reasonable to subconsciously ignore something Tom wrote: http://www.dvdactive.com/reviews/dvd/6th-day-th...
Not taking sides, just fanning the flames, muhahaha...
Ahem... although it's quite reasonable to subconsciously ignore something Tom wrote: http://www.dvdactive.com/reviews/dvd/6th-day-th...
Not taking sides, just fanning the flames, muhahaha...

It's definitely a better transfer than the DVD version as I mentioned, but to me it just didn't seem to be a significant leap over the SD version like some more recent Blu-ray discs have been. But yes as you say Chris, the increase in resolution is noticeable nonetheless.
I enjoy the film (apart from the duff ending which side-tracked the issue of Arnie's clone having a limited life-span). Ok, it did not reach the dizzy heights of True Lies, T2 or Total Recall.
I think it was one of Arnie's better last efforts - blending sci-fi with action. I will purchase the Blu Ray once the price falls.
I think it was one of Arnie's better last efforts - blending sci-fi with action. I will purchase the Blu Ray once the price falls.
Keep up the good works guys and ignore those who don't understand the purpose of this site.
I for one want to know how a HD release compares to a DVD release and also enjoy reading about the same film from a different persons perspective.
I for one want to know how a HD release compares to a DVD release and also enjoy reading about the same film from a different persons perspective.
£ukasz D wrote: yee...i do have my own website....i think that revieweng the same film again, just becouse it released in teh new format (BUT STII THE SAME FILM) is just pointless.
The films, that were not reviewed on the DVD - ok...but makeing two reviews of the same film is FOR ME waste of time. I have a feeling w'll see many new-old reviews of the BD editions soon on DVDActive.
Your argument is just staggering. It's the same film, but it's not the same technology. We're a DVD reviewing website; we review DVDs. If you don't want to read the movie portion of the review, just skip to the technical appraisal. We haven't even reviewed this film before anyway.
I also have to respectfully disagree with Ben when he says it doesn't look any better than the DVD. It's not the finest example of a great looking BD, but the increased resolution alone makes it better. Whether the extra cost is worth it to most people is another thing entirely, but there's no way upscaled SD material can look as good as a real high-def source.
The films, that were not reviewed on the DVD - ok...but makeing two reviews of the same film is FOR ME waste of time. I have a feeling w'll see many new-old reviews of the BD editions soon on DVDActive.
Your argument is just staggering. It's the same film, but it's not the same technology. We're a DVD reviewing website; we review DVDs. If you don't want to read the movie portion of the review, just skip to the technical appraisal. We haven't even reviewed this film before anyway.
I also have to respectfully disagree with Ben when he says it doesn't look any better than the DVD. It's not the finest example of a great looking BD, but the increased resolution alone makes it better. Whether the extra cost is worth it to most people is another thing entirely, but there's no way upscaled SD material can look as good as a real high-def source.
£ukasz D wrote: I have a feeling w'll see many new-old reviews of the BD editions soon on DVDActive.
...And every other consistent, professional website will be doing the exact same thing. The solution to your gripe is staring you in the face: just skip the film section and read the video/audio/extras stuff instead. Simple, really.
...And every other consistent, professional website will be doing the exact same thing. The solution to your gripe is staring you in the face: just skip the film section and read the video/audio/extras stuff instead. Simple, really.
Quote: This is exactly the kind of Blu-ray disc you can show to somebody and they’d assume it was a regular DVD
Is this the 2nd or 3rd review to say this on the homepage?
Just imagine if the censored Blu-Ray "NBK" also looks like a standard DVD!
Actually, I would call that justice.
Just the same, so far I have seen or read nothing that makes me in any way eager to touch Blu-Ray any time soon, let alone upgrade a perfectly fine standard DVD to it (esp if it's been upscaled).
Is this the 2nd or 3rd review to say this on the homepage?
Just imagine if the censored Blu-Ray "NBK" also looks like a standard DVD!
Actually, I would call that justice.
Just the same, so far I have seen or read nothing that makes me in any way eager to touch Blu-Ray any time soon, let alone upgrade a perfectly fine standard DVD to it (esp if it's been upscaled).
I personally enjoy reviews of older films on new formats, or even special edition re-releases. It's always interesting and often a pleasure to see different people's thoughts on films or TV shows regardless of whether they're old or new.
yee...i do have my own website....i think that revieweng the same film again, just becouse it released in teh new format (BUT STII THE SAME FILM) is just pointless.
The films, that were not reviewed on the DVD - ok...but makeing two reviews of the same film is FOR ME waste of time. I have a feeling w'll see many new-old reviews of the BD editions soon on DVDActive.
The films, that were not reviewed on the DVD - ok...but makeing two reviews of the same film is FOR ME waste of time. I have a feeling w'll see many new-old reviews of the BD editions soon on DVDActive.
Silly argument that seems to rear its head a lot. Has Ben personally reviewed The 6th Day? No, so his opinion is going to be different from the next guy's. If we used your logic only one person would need to review any give film/book/DVD/game etc. Strange attitude from someone who reportedly has their own DVD website.
£ukasz D wrote: My question is -
Are u goin to review every film all over again just becouse it was released on BD ??????????????
It's like reviewing a book again after it was released in hard-cover and on bether paper. :/
Your analogy doesn't really work. Generally, book critics don't factor in details such as paper quality and such into their reviews. Also, if your argument was sound then critics would have refused to review about half of all DVDs due to their VHS releases from many years before. The transition from DVD to Blu-ray traditionally brings a plethora of new things to review. In the case of The 6th Day there wasn't a great deal, but the differences are still worthy of a review unto itself.
Are u goin to review every film all over again just becouse it was released on BD ??????????????
It's like reviewing a book again after it was released in hard-cover and on bether paper. :/
Your analogy doesn't really work. Generally, book critics don't factor in details such as paper quality and such into their reviews. Also, if your argument was sound then critics would have refused to review about half of all DVDs due to their VHS releases from many years before. The transition from DVD to Blu-ray traditionally brings a plethora of new things to review. In the case of The 6th Day there wasn't a great deal, but the differences are still worthy of a review unto itself.
My question is -
Are u goin to review every film all over again just becouse it was released on BD ??????????????
It's like reviewing a book again after it was released in hard-cover and on bether paper. :/
Are u goin to review every film all over again just becouse it was released on BD ??????????????
It's like reviewing a book again after it was released in hard-cover and on bether paper. :/
Bradavon wrote: p.s - FYI [image6] is above the Video section.
Only for a second while I was making changes to the layout.
Only for a second while I was making changes to the layout.
One of Arnold's worst movies.
Like Walk Hard, the USA BD is a (Region Free) BD Live disc. So far that just means extra trailers but they may add more later.
p.s - FYI [image6] is above the Video section.
p.s - FYI [image6] is above the Video section.


Suitable only for persons of 15 years and over
Disc Details
Release Date:
7th April 2008
Discs:
1
Disc Type:
Blu-ray Disc
RCE:
No
Video:
1080p
Aspect:
1.85:1
Anamorphic:
No
Colour:
Yes
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Czech, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 English, Dolby Digital 5.1 Hungarian, Dolby Digital 5.1 Polish, Dolby Digital 5.1 Russian, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 panish
Subtitles:
Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
Extras:
Making Of Special Feature, Featurettes, Animatics, Previews
Easter Egg:
No
Feature Details
Director:
Roger Spottiswoode
Cast:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport,Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rooker, Sarah Wynter, Wendy Crewson, Robert Duvall
Genre:
Action and Sci-Fi
Length:
123 minutes
Ratings
Amazon.com
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