Right String -- Wrong Yo-yo

Rating: 4/10 (10 May 2007)

What bothered me most about this movie was the conceit that being deprived of progeny, humankind would descend into chaos and in turn undertake mass migrations from one's homeland into the hostile bosom of another nation. It just does not make sense.
I think it is fair to say that the more likely human response would be disbelief, bewilderment, sadness and depressive passivity. People would turn inward, questioning their fate and their place in the world. After the initial reaction abated into resignation or denial, people would entreat their government and their scientific communities for explanations and solutions. I think people would live out their lives as quietly and constructively as possible.
The level of violence, anarchy and animus in this movie seemed far more appropriate for a society that had something for which to fight: a future for their children, racial or religious hegemony, economic redress and/or freedom from repression. This is why we usually fight.
Granted there are few mad individuals who are angry at the worlda sociopath or disgruntled employee. But they see the world as having more than they have. In the instance of this movie, everyone is in the same boat. You might rail against the heavens, but not your neighbor.
The movie's premise, I make no reference to the book, is an interesting one and worth examining. It certainly teases the mind. One woman's becoming pregnant after years of societal barrenness, would provoke delicious scenarios. Who was the father? Was there a father at all? What are the implications of the woman's being black--not white or brown etc? Could a new a new Eden be established and the world start afresh?
Done well, dodging bullets in the streets and pitched battle scenes make for good cinema. We only have to look at Saving Private Ryan, Full Metal Jacket or Black Hawk Down. These riveting movies kept your jaws clenched and your knuckles white.
Gone with the Wind was a passionate love story perfectly set with the US Civil War as its backdrop. Children of Men was an intriguing story of societal demise and tenuous rebirth set against a populace who was too busy fighting to take much note of it.