Movie Review: Children of Men

I was supposed to watch this movie when it was out in theaters a few months ago, but for one reason or another, it just never happened. But I was DYING to watch it, and was just waiting to get the DVD.

Tonight, with nothing better to do really, I saw that it was a Movie On Demand selection on my cable service so I decided to order it.

I really can't talk about it without giving away spoilers so I will give the Nation Rating now and then talk about it with spoilers flying left, right, front and center.

Out of a possible 8 Nations, Children of Men gets 7. In fact, the only movie I've seen the past year or so which I would say has been better was Pan's Labyrinth.

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The story, if you don't know, is of a civilization that is on the brink of collapse after 2 decades of human infertility. The last remaining functioning government is the U.K.'s, and it has basically become a fascist state, with all illegal immigrants flooding its borders being treated as criminals. In the midst of all this, Theo Faron (Clive Owen) is asked by his ex-wife Julian (Julianne Moore) to help transport an African refugee to safe harbor. We find out later on that the person Theo is helping smuggle out is the first pregnant person on the planet in 18 years.

Visually, this film was stunning. It was set in 2027, but they do not give it the Blade Runner-dystopian future look. Rather, it looks more contemporary, making it hit closer to home. But at the same time, there were enough "futuristic" touches that were not distracting at all. You could tell they were there but they did not get in the way - which was necessary for this story.

The cinematography was amazing. The scene with the roadside ambush, and the 360 degree shot of it as it happened from the point of view of the people inside the car was great. The final battle scene, which was more of a "newsreel" style shot was downright amazing. You almost felt like you were watching a World War II or Iraqi War documentary or newsreel, with the angles, the vibrations, the point of views... As much as I loved Pan's Labyrinth, I now understand the audible gasps in the audience when that won for Best Cinematography, rather than Children of Men. This was heads and shoulders above Pan's own excellent work.

Clive Owen was excellent. He was not your action hero character, who did everything right, who was all macho, who kicked ass first and then took names afterwards. He was a confused, disillussioned everyday guy who got dragged into this for money or for memory of a past love and then ended up doing the right thing because it provided hope for the world, hope for people like him. He rushed head long into danger, but not because he was John Rambo. He did so because he had to. And when he got into trouble, he would show the fear and vulnerability that most of us would show in the same situation.

The rest of the cast did their part as well. I was surprised at how short the screen time Julianne Moore had. Michael Caine was excellent as Jasper Palmer, an old friend of Theo's. Has Michael Caine done any bad work lately? I really can't remember the last time I saw him and thought "Well, that role didn't fit him." Truly one of the finest of his generation.

A special note about Claire-Hope Ashitey who played Kee, the pregnant refugee: the scene when she reveals to Theo (and the audience) for the first time that she is with child gave me chills up and down my spine. All of a sudden, there was promise in a world that was headed towards extinction. It reminded me of something I read from The Sandman by Neil Gaiman: "He was a creature of hope. For dreams are hopes, and I am a creature of despair."

But all in all, the themes of hope and courage in the face of overwhelming wretchedness and despair really touched me. And note to the Wachowski brothers/Matrix Revolutions and Bryan Singer/Superman Returns: THAT is how you do a Jesus allegory. From the birth of the child in the shabbiest of places and circumstances, to Theo playing the Joseph role, the list goes on and on... And it did not feel forced down your throat, unlike Revolutions and Returns.

What really struck me though was one of the final scenes, when Theo and Kee walk out with the baby. Time stood still as everyone stopped fighting and everyone reacted in their own way; the women were in tears or touching the baby, the soldiers were making a sign of the cross, kneeling down, or just wanted to get a glimpse, while others were just dumbfounded. Then the fighting began again all of a sudden and the $hit hit the proverbial fan once more.

Hope was given to the world, and yet that was not enough for the madness to stop at that particular place and time. Blood still had to be shed, even at the danger of the newborn child. What does that say about us?

Do watch this movie if you get a chance. It's well worth it.