Perhaps not as good as the hype, but still a major highlight of 2006

Rating: 8/10 (20 May 2007)

After reading all the reviews and praise for Children of Men, I can't exactly say I was blown away by the resulting film - but it's certainly a very good movie in that it manages to make you care for the characters and makes you think; something that can't be said for many movies released recently. The film is based on a novel by P.D. James, which I haven't read. The story takes place in the future, although it's not the futuristic world seen in most other films set in the future. Rather, the landscape of the film is a lot like the present world, and if anything seems even less technologically advanced. The basic plot revolves around the idea of women, for some reason, becoming infertile. No child has been born for over eighteen years and the only hope of saving the human race is a rumoured organisation known as 'The Human Project'. However, there seems to be hope from elsewhere as after being dragged into a plot by his ex-wife, Theo Faron discovers a pregnant woman and agrees to help her get the baby to safety.
Director Alfonso Cuarón has managed to walk a thin line between style and substance, and he's done it well. The film features a handful of star names who all deliver good performances, but these are never at the centre of the film and the director always makes sure that the story remains at the forefront. The film is not exactly a visual feast, but the downtrodden locations have a sort of eerie beauty to them, and the special effects, when used, are dazzling. The build up to the climax, the sequence that sees an army firing at a dishevelled building was a particular highlight in that respect. Clive Owen takes the lead role, and while he's still his usual one-note self; his role here really suits his on-screen persona. He receives good support from experienced performers Michael Caine and Julianne Moore, while lesser known actors such as Pam Ferris and Claire-Hope Ashitey perform well alongside the bigger names. I'm not a big fan of the way the film ended, although I can see the reason for cutting the story off where they did. Overall, Children of Men is an excellent film and I can certainly recommend it.