Where have all the children gone?

Rating: 10/10 (27 March 2007)

In Britain 2027, it has been 18 years since the last recorded birth of a child. No explanation is given in "Children of Men" as to why there has been worldwide infertility. (What's the matter, us guys can't get it up in the year 2027? Are all the ladies of the future on the pill?) OK, so I'm a little bit crude, but still it's scary to think that in "Children of Men" humankind is on the verge of extinction simply because we can't procreate. Based on the 1993 book "The Children of Men" by British mystery author P.D. James, "Children of Men" envisions a future world where the last child, an 18-year-old boy, was the victim of an assassination, and now it appears that humanity has lost all hope. Alas, a miracle echoing the Virgin Mary Herself is discovered: a young woman, Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey), is pregnant, and it is up to government bureaucrat Theo Faron (Clive Owen) to safely deliver her to a promised "sanctuary" far away. Of course, the task is easier said than done, as Theo, Kee, and several others (including Julianne Moore, in a 30-minute cameo as Theo's revolutionary ex Julian, Michael Caine as the humorous and senile Jasper, and Chiwetel Ejiofor as the rebel Luke) have to fight through political unrest and warring factions to get to the safe haven. The director behind this project is Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, whose subject matter takes a look at today's world and transposes to a time that is not all that far-fetched. This is where the film's key brilliance shines. It is also why I've ranked this within my top-10 greatest sci-fi movies. The sci-fi genre is known for some brilliant movies (1982's "Blade Runner," which "Children of Men" has been called the 21st-century equivalent of), and many bad ones (that are too numerous to mention). "Children of Men" envisions a world of vast political turmoil and upheaval that is not too far off from the way things are looking now. Cuaron's oft-hand-held camera is with us all the way of Theo's journey, many times capturing with up-close authenticity the war zones of the future, and this incredible camera-work rightfully earned Oscar recognition for cinematography and editing. I only anticipate this picture gaining greater appreciation in the years to come.
10/10