Children of Men

Review 1 of 14

ajatharpa1 writes:

4of 4 Stars

Prophetic vis-avis the facist trend towards loss of liberties, with or without the fertility issue; ie, something will narrow personal freedoms gradually and with repressive violence. Otherwise fine acting, directing and story; etcetera and so on.-Ajatharpa1

Dec 25, 2007 07:01:22

Review 2 of 14

Matteson writes:

4of 4 Stars

"Children of Men"...


I was only aware of director Alfonso Cauron three times before seeing "Children of Men". "Great Expectations" being the first, which, was a fair adaptation of the Dicken's classic. I remembered his name. Then came "Y Tu Mama Tambien", an instant surge of creativeness that sounded the trumpets of the growing talent that was culminating from Mexico, with Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu drawing first blood with "Amores Perros" a year previous. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" was the third time. And I can agree with most Potter fans that the "Azkaban" installment is the best of the film series thus far, and that falls on the shoulders of Cauron. So what I expected to see from him was something at the very least interesting and provocative.

Ladies and gentlemen, I have never said this before about a contemporary film. Here it comes..."Children of Men" is one of the greatest films ever made. I have no qualms in saying that. If I had to put together a list of the top ten films of all time right now, "Children of Men" would be in it. It's that good. Forget "The Departed", "Apocalypto", "V For Vendetta" and all those 'others'. Alfonso Cauron has managed to make the most important film of this young century.

The story is simple. It's 2027, and women have become unable to have children, and the world is in chaos. With no new offspring to replenish the ranks of humanity, riots and mass immigration become the problematic focal point of a government bent on restoring some semblence of order by any means neccessary. That is until Theodore (one hell of a performance by Clive Owen) is asked by former flame Julian (Julianne Moore at her best) to obtain safe transport for Kee (Claire-Hope Ashity, her first role, I think). When he finds that she is pregnant, the full weight and implications of the hope her baby represents forces them on a journey through the dangerous streets and countrysides of England.

What else can i say without giving things away? Know that Cauron just solidified his position among the ranks of great filmakers. The cinemantography is amazing. The script is amazing. The actors and actresses are amazing. The action is tense, and the drama is enthralling. Oh, and for you real film geeks out there, there's a one shot take that would make Brian DePalma die from sudden heart failure it's so good.

There. I've said my peace. Obvioulsy I can't convey how truly great this film is with mere words. Go see it, and be thankful that you witnessed a true landmark in film. "Children of Men" speaks to the human condition on so many levels that I still can't speak coherent sentences. Thankfully I can write them though.

Mar 8, 2007 15:19:31

Review 3 of 14

Messiah91 writes:

4of 4 Stars

The poet Samuel Coleridge once wrote "hope without an object draws nectar in a sieve". As I watched Alfonso Cuaron's latest work of modern movie magic I was assailed with that line over and over (perhaps because it has such eerie resonance with the film). The year is 2027 and in war battered Britain no one has hope. Women have stopped making babies for nearly 18 years and all of humanity is slowly succumbing to the likes of mass terrorism and chaos. Of course the alternative, that being the almost fascist oppression of the British government and military, isn't much better. Then it all changes...in the span of one heartbeat.

Theodore Faron (Clive Owen) labors away at the Ministry of Energy, wasting his later years smoking pot with his friend Jasper (Micheal Caine, a hoot in Jesus hair) and not exactly ruminating on what is basically the end of all civilization. Soon enough though Julian Taylor (Juilanne Moore sizzling with chilly intelligence), his ex-lover and poweful rebel leader, has kidnapped and bribed him into getting a "fugee" across the borders to meet the underground organization "The Human Project" (reminding me of Lemony Snicket's equally shadowy and omnipotent VFD). He discovers though that this fugee, a woman named Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey), is pregnant. She is the first pregnant woman in nearly two decades. And soon her secret is out meaning everyone wants her and no one is willing to let her go.

Alfonso Cuaron, who directed and co-wrote the movie (which is adapted from a P.D. James' novel of the same title), has brought to life a dazzling dystopian thriller that will grab you and never let you go. Namely because his vision of a world none to far away is never so cold and futuristic as to suspend belief. Every detail reaks of misery and suffering boiling just beneath the surface and every camera shot evokes a world so like our own it has the power to take your breath away. By employing the split-second immediacy of movies like "War of the Worlds" and "Saving Private Ryan", Cuaron has crafted an explosion of storytelling that is equal parts adrenaline and intellect. Though the ending, which doesn't really end anything, nagged at my brain, his vision still haunts me and the strength of his talent left me glued to my seat.

Mar 3, 2007 15:15:27

Review 4 of 14

TheFace writes:

3of 4 Stars

I like Alfonso Cuaron, he brought life into the Harry Potter movies, and carries on his good work with this film. The cinematography is one of the best features in Children of Men and the action sequences are awesome. The acting is good and I just love it when a big name star who you think is going to last the entire movie gets bumped off near the start (sorry for those who havent seen it). Clive Owen is fatastic as the reluctant hero and Michael Caine adds that touch of class. Its a breath of fresh air when a good director, fab cast and unique storyline come together and produce something different. Well done.

Feb 21, 2007 18:00:59

Review 5 of 14

Warzawa writes:

2of 4 Stars

Clive Owen is usually tremendous and he only keeps getting better. He's one of those actors who bleed off the screen and into your heart and mind. His performance in Children of Men even elevates him more because I truly believe he's experiencing every bit of action at the core of his being. The direction and the visuals in this film are astounding. I don't have to repeat all the reasons why in depth, you know them...the hand held cam, the frantic visuals, and the gorgeous palette. However, the film's plot really never picks up. I was highly anticipating this film because of it's story (the sterility and the miraculous baby) but during it, I found myself wondering: Where the hell is the story? I felt like I was mixed in a barrage of machine-guns, explosives, and erratically being chased with no relief in sight. Sure, many words can be said about the glances between the horrified or hopeless people and the absolute willingness they had to die for the child. A lot can be said for the hope of humanity in a child...and blah blah blah. But I didn't get it from this movie. At heart, this is a chase film and I despise chase films. It's an action movie disguised as a masterpiece (it even has the "cool" shots of intense violence, espcially the multiple car chase scenes). I wanted to love this, I really did, but it was painful to sit through and i found myself laughing at the absurd amount of violence instead of feeling it.

Jan 31, 2007 14:27:55

Review 6 of 14

inclinescotty writes:

4of 4 Stars

Just a reminder that most of the so-called sci-fi "classics" (such as the ones mentioned below: Blade Runner, Fahrenheit 451, et al.) come from previously-published novels; Children of Men is no exception.

Having just seen the movie on Fr, 26 Jan '07, loving it but experiencing haunting after-images all weekend, I'm now looking forward to reading Ms. P.D. James' novel this week.

I can only hope that we 'flesh 'n' blood' characters can manage to avoid such a bleakly dystopian future...

Jan 29, 2007 07:39:50

Review 7 of 14

trigganometry30 writes:

4of 4 Stars

In perhaps one of the best sci-fi movies ever made, Clive Owen gives the best performance of his young career. The film is dark, yet bright. The film has one of the best stories associated with a movie in the past 20 years. Plus the soundtrack is wonderful (a must own)! In a generation where the movie industry is all about sequals and monster movie stars and crappy story lines, this movie is a breath of fresh air among stale bread.

Jan 17, 2007 09:46:04

Review 8 of 14

lightbulb writes:

4of 4 Stars

PSST! Biskitboy! Just to point out one BIG fact you missed. Women became infertile, not men, this is why the father was unimportant!

Jan 16, 2007 14:51:00