Animal Farm

Rating: 9/10 (10 February 2007)

This wasn't released in these parts till mid January 07 so its an 07 movie for me. What can I say about this movie?!?!?!?! The animal metaphors are rampant throughout other than that you have great performances from pretty much everyone across the board. In the not too distant future women are infertile and an expected extinction date has been set. That is until a woman finally becomes pregnant and is the hands of guerrilla terrorists who are trying to smuggle her to safety. The backdrop is a world unhinged and in turmoil and England where Men is set is pretty much the only country still standing-barely. War and riots are everywhere. Immigrants ie those not born of English descent are put into captivity ala those during WW2. There are a lot of details and large pieces of the story omitted for what I can only assume are for artistic purposes because I have yet to read the book. Children of Men is a love or hate kind of affair. Its the little details that are captivating and believe me I have yet to see this film twice so I have not yet seen them all. For instance pot is still illegal however euthanasia isn't in fact it is sold in packs called Quietus. Get it?!?! I wont say whether im for or against either issue but this made me laugh very hard and has embedded itself in my brain ever since. There is also a huge Pink Floyd reference that literally had me leaping out my seat in astonishment. Everything current is reflected in Children of Mens future which is to say that this issue presented in the film is the proverbial last straw for mankind. I just have to say Micheal Caine was just flat out amazing. Typically at the end of any given year I can barely count the movies that I loved and will watch over & over on one hand. Although I am movie obsessed the Clockwork Oranges and Fight Clubs are few and far between. I have seen 3 movies thus far in 2007-Children of Men,Perfume & Pans Labyrinth that have soiled my movie going experience for the rest of the year. These three films are of that same blue blooded die hard CLASSICS that will live on FOREVER. Three in less than a month not years apart?!?!?!?!? I am honestly afraid to step into a cineplex right now. There's just no way anything else is going to be as good as Children of Men or the above two mentioned. Oh yeah there are flaws but in this case what does it matter to point them out this is a solid free thinker that will have your hairs raised for its entire duration. Form whatever opinion you will about Children of Men but if this movie doesn't motivate or move you at least once please please I urge you to check your pulse.