Movies

Children of Men Review

If you’re lucky to have this movie playing in your area, go see it! I could just leave it at that, but apparently, 100 words are suggested….

Set in the year 2027 in England, the world, it seems, has gone to hell in a hand basket. The human race has become infertile and is on the verge of extinction. America is being torn apart by internal strife as is the rest of the world, except for England of course. There, some semblance of order is being maintained by the complete deportation of all illegal immigrants (Germans, Poles, and French to name a few).

Enter Theo (played masterfully by Clive Owen). As the movie starts with the news of the death of the world’s youngest person, Clive, along with the rest of humanity, falls into even greater despair over the fate of the world. Until one day, is snatched off the streets by a terrorist organisation run by his ex-wife (Julianne Moore). She needs him to arrange the safe travel for the best hope for humanity; a pregnant young girl.

Here the movie really gets going and begins to pull you onto the edge of your seat. But that’s all I’ll say as far as the plot goes.

Plotline aside, Children of Men is a well directed movie. Alfonso Cuarón does a brilliant job of creating a depressing future where there are no children and where there is no hope. At times, I was reminded of the opening parts of Half-Life 2, except everything was a gloomy, demoralising grey.

But the movie isn’t all serious and dismal. Some brighter points are those where Jasper (Michael Caine), a pot-smoking hippie, and friend of Theo (our hero), is on the screen. Also, there is a great esoteric visual gag for all the Pink Floyd fans out there (think Animals).

Yet, when the action heats up, it is spellbinding. The action scenes are engrossing and well choreographed, thanks mainly to the copying of BSG and the use of handheld cameras.

All in all, this movie definitely lives up to all of the glowing reviews I (and you, probably) have heard. Go see it. You won’t be disappointed.