Review of Children of Men (2006) by M G — 03 Nov 2012

Children of Men is ultimately a sophisticated journey of the triumphs and failures of human nature. Director, Alfronso Cuaron has truly crafted a dark and riveting portrayal of a future with no hope, as all of the world's women have apparently become infertile.

In this future, the world isn't much different from today. There are no flying cars, no robots, only dark city landscapes fluttering with litter, rubble, and despair. This future civilization is at its breaking point, and there are two opposing sides depicted in the storyline: A rebel group that is labeled as an extremist terrorist regime by the media, who's stated mission is to deliver a young woman, Kee, to the Human Project, which is a covert organization of some of the world's greatest minds who are collectively searching for a solution for the world's infertility.

And then there is the government, which draws many parallels from Nazi Germany in its continuous propaganda on television and the banishment of desperate immigrants into essential exile in slum-like conditions which are fenced, guarded, and separated from the locals.

There are many philosophical ideas throughout the entirety of this film; too many begin explaining as that would be an entire subject upon itself. And yes, there does exist some religious references in many parts of the film, some blatantly obvious, and others, metaphorically painted by the masterful strokes of director, Alfronso Cuaron.

Surprisingly, Cuaron has knack for action and suspense, as many of the scenes and action sequences unfold with just one continuous camera shot, much like the D-Day invasion scene from Saving Private Ryan.

In other words, not only are the action sequences jarring and suspenseful, they're also completely refreshing and unique. That said, (***SPOILER ALERT***) there is one sequence towards the very end of the film, where Theo is guiding Kee and her newborn baby from the deadly shootout between the rebels of the uprising and the military, and suddenly all of the bystanders (exiled immigrants) stand completely still in awe at the sight of this newborn.

Gunshots continue to echo in the distance, yet the bystanders gather and pray at the sight of Kee's child. Theo and Kee continue further down the stairs, as they encounter the rebels, holding their guns, and then the soldiers, and to cap-off this utterly breathtaking and emotional scene, the soldiers are ordered to cease-fire at the sight of the baby.

This scene is one of the few that I can ever say that brought tears to my eyes. It is very powerful indeed. And much like that scene, Children of Men is a riveting and powerful film, and it is very under appreciated in both its vision and brilliance.