Children of Men (2006) - A

"Children of Men" is a science fiction thriller directed by Alfonso Cuaron ("Y tu mama tambien" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.") The premise of the movie is extremely intriguing: what would happen if people just stopped having babies? The movie is set in 2027, and opens with a news broadcast that the youngest person in the world (who was 18) has just died. Clive Owen stars as Theo Faron, a former peace activist living in London, drinking in quiet desperation while waiting for the human race to extinguish itself. Theo is shocked out of his routine when his ex-wife, played by Juliane Moore, shows up with a mysterious mission, needing Theo's help.

The best part of "Children of Men" is the stunning cinematography. Cuaron's vision of a dystopian London, wracked with violence, dirty, desperate, and dying, is haunting and unforgettable. The scenes in London are the type that make you want to freeze the film or watch the same sequence multiple times because there is so much detail in the background, whether it is government propaganda posters or clips form newscasts, etc. The detail doesn't distract you from the main storyline, but you know that you didn't catch everything there was to learn on the first viewing. The action sequences are also extremely well done, being visually fascinating and exciting without devolving into meaningless explosion-fests. Two sequences that stand out in my mind are an attack on Theo's group as they drive through the country side seeking the coast, and Theo's attempt late in the movie to escape a refugee detention center.

I also found the movie quite topical with the ongoing debate about the future of immigration within the United States. The England of "Children of Men" has chosen to wall itself off from the outside world, rounding up undocumented immigrants into detention camps, constantly warning citizens of the dangers of "'fugees" and urging people to turn in any they know.

"Children of Men" is also filled with strong performances. Owen is the perfect actor for the role of Theo, using his expressive face and haunting eyes to full effect. Moore is her usual strong self as his ex-wife, and the leader of a revolutionary group fighting against the government's repressive policies. Chiwetel Ejiofor (the male lead in "Dirty Pretty Things") gives a strong performance as Moore's second in command. It's fun seeing Michael Caine as one of Theo's former comrades from his protest days.

The script doesn't quite live up to the cinematography and performances, unfortunately. For example, the ending isn't quite as emotionally satisfying as you would hope. The script isn't terrible, it just holds the movie back slightly, keeping "Children of Men" a very good movie instead of a great one.

Final Grade: A