Children Of Men

Year: 2006
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Cast: Clive Owen, Michael Caine, Julianne Moore, Claire-Hope Ashitey, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Pam Ferris

I know it's a little late, but I finally made the time to watch this film, directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who gave us Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban and Y tu mama tambien, the latter which I have not viewed as yet.

Children Of Men, based on the book by P.D. James, is set in the year 2027. The world is not a peaceful place to be in. Humanity is threatened with extinction, as infertility reigns. There hasn't been a single birth in 18 years. War ravages the globe, and only Britain soldiers on. The government carries out massive operations to arrest illegal immigrants seeking refuge, and terrorism is rampant.

The protagonist of the story is Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a former activist who finds himself back into the hell he was once a part of when his estranged wife, Julian (Julianne Moore) comes back to see him. Julian is the leader of an underground terrorist group called The Fishes, a faction fighting for refugee rights. Julian asks Theo to help obtain travel papers for a refugee girl named Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) and take her to a mysterious group of scientists called the Human Project. Theo is reluctant at first, but finally agrees. After getting the papers, Theo travels with Julian, Kee and two members of The Fishes, Miriam (Pam Ferris) and Luke (Chiwetel Ejiofor), when they're viciously attacked by an angry mob. Julian is killed during the attack, and Luke takes them all to their safehouse.

It is at this safehouse, that Theo learns the reason Kee needs protection: she is pregnant. Kee decides to follow through with her plan on getting to the Human Project, which is thwarted by Luke. Theo learns that Luke had Julian killed so that he can assume command of The Fishes and use Kee's child as a political tool. Theo then takes Kee and Miriam on the run, protecting her along the way as both The Fishes and the police follow closely behind.

I have to give plenty of credit to Cuaron for creating a visual feast of an apocalyptic future. The production design is unmistakably awesome. The action sequences during Theo and Kee's escape through various obstacles were filmed extremely well, something I've only seen in films such as Black Hawk Down and Saving Private Ryan. Blood spatters and bullet impacts are so realistic, you can feel it as you see it. Kudos also to Emmanuel Lubezki for the great cinematography, you can feel as though you're a part of the action on screen.

I've always been a fan of Clive Owen's work, and once again he doesn't disappoint. He plays Theo as the reluctant hero thrust into a dangerous situation, motivated by the loss of his wife, as well as his son in the past. Credit also must be given to Michael Caine, who plays Jasper, Theo's friend who helps give him shelter and food for thought about the current situation of the country. Ferris, Ejiofor and Ashitey also give memorable performances in their respective roles.

This isn't an easy film to sit through, but it does deliver in spades. Recommended. (4/5)