Review of Children of Men (2006) by Shane M — 11 May 2014

Another underrated masterpiece (doesn't anyone know what a good film is anymore? Are they just going to the theaters to see crap instead of true filmmaking? They should stop. Hot actors, unoriginality, and no story are not enough.

). Adapted from P. D. James' dystopian novel The Children of Men, the film is set in 2027 in a dystopian future where human infertility has affected all woman worldwide, society on the brink of collapse, and the last functioning government is in the UK, where they impose oppressive immigration laws on refugees and illegal immigrants seeking sanctuary there.

When a female refugee turns out to be pregnant (the only in the world), a bureaucrat must help her get to safety and save her child. The adaptation manages to be a lot of things at one time that connect to make the film what it is; an action thriller, political statement on infertility and illegal immigration, society's struggle to live, and a cautionary tale about the possible future.

There are warnings of humanity's intentions and choices towards political and social subjects, which highlight the dystopian elements found in the story, and provoke social commentary. The action sequences are impressive, especially the one-shot chase scene following an ambush on a country road, which lasts 247 seconds, or 4 minutes, 7 seconds.

There are other single-shot sequences in which Kee, the pregnant refugee, gives birth (199 seconds, or 3 minutes, 19 seconds. You people should expect spoilers every time I do my reviews. You notice them, so expect them.

), and where the bureaucrat Theo is captured by the Fishes, the group transporting Kee to safety, escapes, and runs down the street and through a building during a raging battle (378 seconds, or 6 minutes, 18 seconds).

These single-shot sequences require the right cinematographer, and Emmanuel Lubezki was the right man for the job, and received an Oscar nod for all his hard work. He is able to capture the right angle and necessary content in each shot, including the single-shot sequences, showcasing top-notch camera work.

Alfonso Cuarón, Timothy J. Sexton, David Arata, Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby, and even an uncredited Clive Owen are able to input complex themes and characterization into the script, but are also able to showcase top-notch screenwriting, and all bit Owen received an Oscar nod for their work.

Cuarón is also excellent as the film's director, capturing each scene to a fault, as well as make sure each scene is done to perfection, as evidenced in the 12 days it took to film the road ambush, but never received a Best Director nod for his hard work (do the voters at the Academy lack any respect or even heart? The ****?).

Anyway, the film also benefits from its cast, including Clive Owen as Theo, Julianne Moore as Julian, Michael Caine as Jasper, and Clare-Hope Ashitey as Kee. The entire cast is able to capture the right reactions to certain scenes and situations occurring throughout the film.

They reach the acting standards necessary for Children of Men. The film was an unfortunate box office failure, but didn't deserve that fate as there's enough complexity and action to keep audiences centrifuges throughout the surprisingly short film as it's 109 minutes (1 hour, 49 minutes long), but could satisfy the people who have restrictive limits on run time.

Overall, the film is a must-see, as well as one of the best book adaptations, and one of the best films of the 2000s.