Children of Men

If you haven’t seen Alfonso Cuaron’s Children of Men, you’re missing out. The film is set in London, in the year 2027. No child has been born since 2009 due to certain illnesses and epidemics that plagued the world. A breakdown of societal functions across the globe leaves London the last refuge for the citizens of the world. The surge in refugees causes chaos in London and it isn’t long before war breaks out there too.

The government of London battles with media-labeled terrorists called the “Fishes.” The Fishes represent an underground movement to restore order to the society. Theo, played by Clive Owen, struggles to help a pregnant woman get out of the country. Their destination…a boat called the Tomorrow. The boat houses "The Human Project," a plan to rebuild the structure of modern society. The Fishes first house Theo and the pregnant women, but their plan to use the baby strictly as a propaganda tool to support their cause sends Theo on a wild ride with fate. With a little help from his friend, Jasper, played by Michael Caine, Theo works his way through a series of setbacks and becomes mankind’s one last chance for redemption. Michael Caine could form an onscreen chemistry with a brick wall. He adds a hint of amusement in this suspenseful film. Owen and Caine draw you into this film and make you wish they had more screen time with each other.
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The cinematography is brilliantly risky. Some shots were filmed for as long as six minutes without a cut away. The live action not only works to the film’s advantage but also displays the versatile abilities of the actors as well as the off screen special effects crew. The technology displayed is believable and realistic. As opposed to many futuristic movies, you will not see flying cars or laser operated weapons. The dialogue does seem to lack substance during a few scenes, but for the most part, holds an interest with the viewer.

Like any good film, this movie will keep you asking questions until the very end. Hollywood has a tendency to make the same movies over and over. Their idea is to keep on going with what works and not to complicate matters with farfetched ideas. However, it is the originality of this film that makes it stand out. If you’re looking for something different for night, Children of Men won’t disappoint. But make sure the kiddies are content with something else. Wait until they’re asleep or thrown on a Disney movie in a different room. Despite the R rating for violence, language, and some sexuality, the movie goes to the extreme, and makes a firm political statement, to show the possible outcome of a world without children. After all, if we can’t learn to take care of each other, how can mankind ever expect to survive into the next century?