Children of Men

Reviewed by:
Pete Hammond

Set into a future where no child has been born in 18 years, the magnificent Children of Men paints a bleak and harrowing portrait of a world where mankind is headed for the exit as an infertility epidemic reaches crises proportions around the globe. When a lone pregnant woman is discovered, it's up to one man (Clive Owen) to save her and, by extension, the entire planet. Director Alfonso Cuarón (Y tu Mamá Tambien, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), a master craftsman, creates a unique and totally original vision of this not-too-distant future, showing us a dark eerie world without soul. That it all seems somehow plausible makes this one of the most frightening films to ever come from a major studio. Full of intriguing ideas, the stunningly photographed movie is also wildly entertaining. It's a heart-pumping race against time with Owen emerging in the top rank of today's finest stars. Set around a crumbling, chaotic London full of different factions battling each other in the streets, it's no stretch to believe the disturbed world we live in now could similarly fall into the same dire straits. Not a 100 percent depressing experience (but close), Michael Caine is around for some much needed comic relief in his best role in years as an aging hippie lost in time and place. Overall this is strong stuff. Based on this flick and the ominous V for Vendetta released earlier this year, we recommend steering clear of London town. According to the Sci-Fi gods, it's not gonna be jolly 'ol England for long.