The 6th Day (2000)

Directed by Roger Spottiswoode. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tony Goldwyn, Michael Rapaport, Michael Rooker, Robert Duvall, Sarah Wynter, Wendy Crewson, Terry Crews, Rodney Rowland, Colin Cunningham, Wanda Cannon. [PG-13]

In the future, cloning is not only possible, it’s practical, especially when it comes to replacing malfunctioning organs or deceased pets, but it’s illegal to clone a human being…as if that’s going to stop billionaire industrialist Goldwyn from doing so anyway. Schwarzenegger, in one of his everyman-with-an-aptitude-for-heroics roles, is a helicopter pilot who inadvertently gets involved in Goldwyn’s company’s shady practices, and soon enough, there are two Ah-nulds running around, with a nefarious team of goons out to eradicate one (or both) of them. Tantalizing premise is rife with possibilities, and even though it’s a little disappointing that the filmmakers chose to assign a large chunk of the running time to the task of high-tech chases and shootouts, they’re reasonably well-produced, and advanced by thoughtful interludes and a heavy helping of humor (including several in-jokes). Duvall lends a touch of class as a conflicted scientist with a dying wife, but his character is as underdeveloped as the film as a whole is underappreciated. Contains one of the most horrifying, nightmare-inducing creations these eyes have ever seen: SimPal Cindy. Film acting debut for ex-NFL player Crews.

71/100