A Surreal Film!

Rating: 9/10 (25 March 2007)

Very rarely, do I leave a movie theater in awe of a film. After seeing "Children of Men", I was so taken by it, I had to soak it in before talking about it. What a spectacular movie. This is why I go to movies! "Children of Men" is why you should go to movies! It is intense, it is surreal and I felt like I was in the movie the entire time. It felt like I was on a roller coaster. I know a lot of critics and reviewers say cliché things like "It's a roller coaster ride!" Yes, it really is!!! I felt kinda out of it afterwards- like I did when I got off the "Superman" ride at Great America this past summer. I had a minor headache after the movie was over- I'm not sure if this helps endorse "Children of Men", but I felt like I was Clive Owen running through a bombed out town. This is a movie that is more than enhanced by the theater experience! I'm not going to get into what this movie is about, because anyone reading this should just go see it and trust me. Watching it on DVD will not do it justice. I was not a film major in college (I chose radio, maybe I should have went with film) but I know this movie looks like few before it. "Children of Men" has an unbelievable quality about its filming. The cinematography in it is second to none.
Before I get to hung up on the visual greatness of this film, the cast is equally great. Clive Owen is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors. Owen reminds me of Harrison Ford in "Blade Runner" in this futuristic masterpiece about an era where women become infertile and Owen has to protect a refugee who has done the unthinkable- become pregnant! Julianne Moore and Michael Caine give outstanding supporting performances as well. Caine plays a weed-smoking hippie who assists Owen in hiding the pregnant refugee. Can not go on with out giving mad props to director Alfonso Cuaron. I don't know much about him, but I will watch anything he is involved with after seeing his outstanding epic. Bottom line- Go see this movie!!! I'm tempted to re-do my best of 2006 list and put it number one or two. "Children of Men" is the best movie I've seen since "The Departed" and I hope everyone who enjoys a good story and loves great cinematography, will come away feeling like they just walked out of a bomb shelter and feel glad they did. If getting headaches after movies means I loved the film, then I welcome the next headache.