Cuaron and his portrayal of hell on Earth

Rating: 10/10 (7 January 2007)

It is seldom when you see a movie and call it a classic the first time out. This remark is not necessarily referring to something innovative and original, but it is a clear appreciation of how seldom we see a master at work, and here is Mr. Cuaron giving us another example of his remarkable directing abilities. He has already given us "A Little Princess", "Y Tu Mama Tambien", and one of the better Harry Potter entries, and this time he turns visionary and presents us with a visionary masterwork to make us think about the consequences of our actions.
The film is not preachy and overacted, and it certainly works beautifully because of Cuaron's command of the camera and his reliable cast. In truth, the cast does very well under his direction, but one can almost sense any other good actor would have been if guided by Cuaron. Cuaron's film moves quickly, never faltering and calling too much attention to a particular aspect. It just depicts a horrible, not too distant future, and it benefits from having technology that allows Cuaron to fully express his vision.
The entire film is bleak, and most people will be captivated and might be repulsed by the images, but it is never average. It delivers what it is supposed its themes and images. The last third of the film will envelop you with its sounds and capture your spirit, as it shows that hell is something we are fully capable of creating.
The film ends abruptly and this might upset a few. It is sort of an ambiguous ending, and we can only rely on the power of optimism and faith to put the rest of it together. It is a tribute to Cuaron that we don't feel critical, only thankful we have gotten this far, and we are still hungry for more.