V. Carefully Crafted Electrifying Thriller

Rating: 8/10 (4 July 2007)

This is an excellent science fiction film. I don't mean that in terms of the technical film-making, but rather in the way it avoids the conventions of creating an overly futuristic world. You won't see flying cars or a vastly restructured cityscape or all kinds of crazy weapons. Instead you'll see a completely plausible extension of our current landscape and culture which is certainly not expected from the audience. It may not stretch the limits of your imagination, but it will certainly still make you think.
In 2027, the youngest person in the world dies at eighteen years old. For some unknown reason, women no longer have the ability to procreate. Yet despite what seems to be a slow, but inevitable extinction for the human race, they compound their problems by continuing to war with each other in increasing numbers. But there just may be a glimmer of hope. Theo (Owen) a former political activist has been chosen to escort a very special young woman to one of the few safe havens left in the world. It will be a tough, dangerous journey, but the trek is necessary, because she just may be the key to saving mankind.
Nearly everything is handled so perfectly in this movie. From Clive Owen's excellent portrayal of a disillusioned everyman rising to a higher calling to director Alfonso Cuarón's gritty orchestration of a refugee camp uprising, "Children of Men" is the rare drama that's both cerebral and action-packed.
"Children of Men" is easily one of the best films of the year of 2006, and not one that can be reproduced anytime soon. 8/10