Review of Children of Men (2006) by Mohamed A — 20 Mar 2013

As a thriller, the film is blisteringly intense and incredibly effective. From the bomb blast that caps off the opening credits to the frenzied urban warfare sequences that dominate the film's closing thirty minutes, Cauron never lets the film lag.

Though it slows down enough to deal with character development and exposition, the film maintains a running intensity as Theo and Kee try to stay one step ahead of terrorists, the police, the army and random opportunists.

Several action scenes are shot in continuous takes, and make for compelling and electrifying viewing.However, the film works as a socio-political drama as well. Though Cauron's two central messages (that immigrants enrich, rather than threaten, Western society, and that the outlook for human survival is dim when operatives on all sides let ideology displace compassion and good judgment) are strongly put, he is never so heavy-handed that they dominate or displace the actual storyline.

Similarly, while the film makes numerous metaphorical references to present-day events, they are never so contrived as to derail the narrative.The film features solid performances from Clive Owen, who is at his rugged, rumpled best, and Julianne Moore.

Supporting players also do well: Michael Caine is terrific as Theo's pot-growing hippie friend, the versatile Chiwitel Ejiofor is again in fine form as a revolutionary cell leader, and Pam Ferris is also good as another of Kee's protectors.

It is, however, Claire-Hope Ashitey who stands out as the illegal immigrant who may well be humanity's hope for the future.Children of Men is packed with explosive action, incendiary social commentary and some white-hot performances.

As a result, it may well be the best film of the year.