Derailed half way

Rating: 6/10 (27 December 2006)

The story outline is promising, and scenery, acting, cinematography all match the grim situation mankind is in, in 2027, roughly 18 years after homo sapiens lost the ability to procreate. The first half of the movie is a nice mix of character introduction, allowing the viewer to get into the non existent but feasible alternative reality, some great and quite realistic and shocking action (without the typical Hollywood style massive explosions), and plotting out the route towards the inevitable. ***SPOILERS MOSTLY FROM THIS POINT ON*** Up to and including the self sacrifice by Jasper (Michael Caine) and his brutal killing I liked every bit about this movie. As if the director switched his 'subtle & typical British' hat for his Hollywood one. Action becomes the main ingredient, far too much useless war imagery and an over the top 'public discovery' of the first known newborn baby, like Jesus' resurrection or something, and everything else is a bit of a letdown. Can you say cliché?
I am still puzzled about how big a contrast the first and latter half of the movie are. Pity, really. It would have gotten 9 out of 10 for the first, and 3 or 4 for the latter half. So in total 6/10.
I hope someone takes this great premise and invents a less action packed scenario from the middle stages of the movie.