Children of Men by Alfonso Cuarón

Rating: 9/10 (31 August 2019)

One of the most interesting themes to explore in the books, comic books, movies, television series and videogames, is about how the world would look like in the future. The two of the most popular visions about the future, are the dystopian and the utopian environment. The utopian stories explore about a future, which the society is perfect, where the people live without getting lost. The main characters would mostly live the adventures, through philosophical questions about their purpose and how they can solve some issues which were not solved yet. The dystopian stories explore about a future, which is chaotic filled with darkness, where the people are completely lost. As it seems there is no hope for the humanity, until a light comes out by showing nothing is lost yet and the main characters would do anything to bring hope. Some of the dystopian and utopian stories use realism, by giving the audience reflections, about how the main characters would move forward to get their purpose. Other stories would use horror elements, by letting the audience feel the fear of the main characters, who are facing the darkness in their roads. Some stories would end with the main characters, who survived from the danger, by then accomplish their missions. Other stories would end with the main characters dying, once they have accomplished the mission with hope. The auteur filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón seems interested, to release a dystopian movie, by adapting the book The Children of Men by P. D. James. As a story filled with reflective and poetic scenes, in every single angle shots, by making an emotional and realistic movie. In 2006 came out Children of Men by Alfonso Cuarón with Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Michael Caine, Pam Ferris and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The movie's plot: In the year 2027, the humanity is living in the chaotic world where the women are infertile. The people live in the sadness, as it seems there is no hope, for the humanity to find another little newborn child. Until a former activist Theo Faron (Clive Owen) gets asked, by the militant group called Fishes, to help them by accomplishing an important mission. It is about to help Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), an illegal refugee, to get to the sanctuary at the sea. The movie would immediately capture the audience attention, from the beginning to the end, for how the camera shots long takes to give all the emotions and the realism needed to make the scenes unforgettable and poetic. The lightenings and the shadows help as well, by letting the audience feel the emotions of the main characters. By making the story powerful in every scenes, without ruining the emotions of the movie. The sound design was particularly elaborated, by making the specific sounds unexpectedly loud, for some of the most thrilling moments of the story. By increasing the audience tension, in the most unexpected ways. The screenplay was elaborated to be clear, how the story would be told from the beginning to the end, without ruining the narration's rhythm. Especially to see how the main characters, get through the dark and chaotic roads, to bring hope for the humanity. The editing was specifically elaborated, by making the story's narration clear, about how the characters would face the danger, in the most unexpected ways. Clive Owen was excellent as Theo Faron a former activist, who has a dramatic past that makes him feel hopeless. Until Theo changes his mind about the hope, once he gets involved in the mission by the Fishes. Julianne Moore did a well done performance as Julian Taylor, former wife of Theo and the one who takes part of the Fishes. Julian would convince Theo to be part of the mission, for the trust she still has on him. Clare-Hope Ashitey was really good as Kee, an illegal refugee, who is the main reason for the mission. In the course of the story, Kee and Theo would trust each other, as he makes her understand what she should do to move forward. Michael Caine was extraordinary as Jasper Palmer, a former political cartoonist and a friend of Theo, who takes care his wife and the dog. Jasper would help Theo whenever is needed, as they know each other for a long time. Since Theo gets involved in the mission, Jasper would show Theo a way to arrive at the sanctuary. Pam Ferris did a well done performance as Miriam, a former midwife who takes care Kee. Initially Miriam would look to be an annoying character, until there would be a moment where she shows to be a much serious character. Miriam would do anything to protect Kee, she also explain Theo some important things, he needs to know in the course of the story. Chiwetel Ejiofor was really good as Luke, who is member of the Fishes. Luke would have no mercy with anybody, as he focuses on his purpose. Luke would also show some emotions, which can explain the reason of his behavior. The score of the movie makes the story powerful, in every musical notes to be breathtaking. Especially in the most emotional moments, as well as the most thrilling one, to make the story unforgettable. Children of Men is one of the greatest masterpieces of all time, also one of the best Alfonso Cuarón's movies.