In 2027, hope is lost on the human race. Women have been infertile and unable to reproduce since 2009. With the assassination of the world’s youngest human at 18 years of age, panic and grief have spread throughout the world. Is our extinction really a reality?When I first heard about “Children of Men,” I had no idea what it was about. I saw that Clive Owen (“Sin City,” “Inside Man”) was in it, alongside Julianne Moore (“Boogie Nights,” “The Forgotten”) and Michael Caine (“Batman Returns,” “Austin Powers: Goldmember”).
After hearing about the all-star cast, I had to find out more. I am a sci-fi nut, and I love suspense. After watching the trailer, I could tell that I was going to love this movie.
The setting is Britain, the only country left standing. New York and Washington, D.C. have been destroyed by war and famine. This sounds vaguely familiar to “V for Vendetta.” The government is corrupt, yet sympathetic as it offers suicide pills for those who can’t take the bleak outlook of the future. Illegal aliens are rounded up like Jews during the Holocaust and deported or murdered.
Owen plays a former protester turned Everyday Joe. His ex-wife, played by Moore, is a rebel leader searching for truth and a rogue organization called the The Human Project. This Project is believed to house women who can reproduce; however, no one knows for sure. Owen’s best friend in the whole matter is a pot-smoking, Pulitzer Prize-winning Michael Caine. He provides just enough comic relief in this dreary world. After I was full of popcorn and awe, I had come to realize that my prediction was right: this movie is amazing.
At a very short running time of 109 minutes, the movie doesn’t give you a chance to breathe. It’s full of action and suspense to the point where you’re jumpy. Alfonso Cuar¢n (director of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”) keeps you engaged with lots of handheld cinematography reminiscent of “Saving Private Ryan.” Blood spatters on the camera, bombs ring in your ears, and you come to the point where you feel like you’re about to cough from the smoke on the screen. If you love intense movies, you must see this one.
However, this isn’t just another action movie. This movie has a lot of depth to it as well. You’re left wondering about the state of mankind and the state of your own personal relationships. The cast gives incredible performances and does not disappoint. The only bad thing about this movie is that it was released in a very limited amount of theaters (1700, I believe). However, AMC in Newport and the Cinema de Lux in Springdale are both showing the film, and I highly recommend you check it out if you’re a sci-fi fan, a suspense fan, or just someone who likes leaving a theater and saying to yourself, “What if?