The 6th Day

The 6th Day, released in 2000 and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Michael Rapaport, and Tony Goldwyn, exists in an era where scientific capabilities have pushed the boundaries of life and death. The setting of the movie is a future where cloning, not just of pets or organs, but of humans, has become a reality albeit with a significant amount of controversy around it.

Schwarzenegger is depicted as Adam Gibson, an everyday family man who runs a charter helicopter service with his best friend and business partner Hank Morgan (portrayed by Michael Rapaport). Gibson's character is perfectly content with his life, taking joy from his family and simpler pleasures like an actual home-grown Christmas tree rather than the bio-engineered duplicates the future world has to offer.

This idealistic setup takes a drastic turn when Gibson unknowingly gets embroiled in a web of unethical science and corporate malpractice due to a mistaken identity. The plot begins to unravel when, after a seemingly routine day, Gibson returns home to find a clone of himself living his life. This clone is enjoying his birthday, loving his wife and daughter as though it were him which sends Gibson on an harrowing journey to reclaim his life and identity.

He soon learns that the powerful and influential business tycoon, Michael Drucker (played by Tony Goldwyn), and Drucker's right-hand, Talia Elsworth, are responsible for his tragic predicament. Drucker's character is the epitome of futuristic corporatism, who, backed by cutting-edge technology and a drive for immortality, bends the rules of nature to his will. His company, Replacement Technologies, is the leading force behind human and pet cloning, raising ethical, moral and legal questions throughout the movie.

Just as Schwarzenegger revealed the dark belly of Mars in "Total Recall," he now ventures on a rollercoaster ride through a world where the line between life and death is blurred. It's a brutal chase where our hero is persistently hunted by Drucker's relentless hit squad, all the while grappling with the implications of his clone's existence. This dystopian thrill ride is laden with remarkably detailed visions of the future, with self-driving cars, virtual girlfriends, holographic toys, and of course, incredibly convincing clones.

Despite the dark themes, director Roger Spottiswoode manages to sprinkle comic relief, striking the right balance of futurism, action, and satire. An important subplot involves a doll named SimPal Cindy, a seemingly innocent toy that plays a significant role in this sci-fi thriller's complex narrative.

The 6th Day is not just an action thriller, but it also dives deep into significant life concepts, forcing us to question what it means to be human and the implications of playing God. It beautifully poses questions of ethics and morality within the context of science, exploring the potential dangers of unchecked technological advancement. Viewers are presented with a future that is thrilling and yet terrifying at the same time, allowing them to reflect on the fundamental nature of life and identity.

Schwarzenegger's performance is commendable as he plays two characters who are physically identical but are experiences apart. His portrayal of the desperate, wronged Adam Gibson, juxtaposed against the blissfully ignorant Adam clone, showcases his range as an actor. Goldwyn excels at portraying the villain, a cold corporate tyrant with an unyielding desire for eternal life.

In essence, The 6th Day is a remarkable fusion of high-octane action, science fiction, and thought-provoking thematic elements, bolstered by a stellar cast and visionary direction. It is a must-watch for any Arnold Schwarzenegger fan, and for admirers of science fiction movies that dare to delve into deep moral and ethical questions masked behind thrilling on-screen sequences and extensive futuristic imaginings. From its opening moments to its concluding frame, The 6th Day is an enthralling experience, one that exhilarates, provokes, and fascinates in equal measure.