A beautifully grim future

Rating: 10/10 (11 October 2011)

Based on a 1992 dystopian novel, Children of Men is one of the most well made science fiction film of the 2000s, if not one of the most well made films period. Clive Owen plays Theo, a government bureaucrat who, through happenstance, finds himself the reluctant hero to what could very well be humankind's last hope. With an all-star cast of Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Michael Caine, the acting in this movie does not disappoint.
The idea of this movie is so seemingly simple and far-fetched—"What if humankind became infertile"— and yet Alfonso Cuarón does such a good job of making this nightmarish world a reality. It takes place in the year 2027, but unlike other futuristic films, Children of Men depicts the technology of the future as not too different from ours. This is often my complaint of movies that take place in the near future: the technology is ridiculously over advanced. This movie focuses more on social changes, such as societal collapse and role of the government, while having enough small technological differences to keep reminding the viewer that it is a future that could be just right around the corner.
And, of course, the cinematography of this film. If not known for anything else, Children of Men was praised for its several uses of single-shot sequences, the longest of which was a seven-minute battle scene. The effects and overall style of the world in Children of Men are excellent, and the camera always makes sure it is in the right place to make the audience feel as engrossed in the movie as they possible can. The unrelenting poverty and urban decay adds as a constant reminder that humankind is on its last breath. The visuals are stunning, and the soundtrack of the movie fits perfectly.
This film has several religious and cultural themes to it, but I feel that some viewers can never be aware of them and still enjoy it. The action, drama, and strangely enough comedy should be enough for any moviegoer, casual or otherwise. Cuarón does an exceptional job bringing this depressing but beautiful interpretation of the future to life, and I recommend it as one of the best films of the 2000s.