Customer Reviews

Children of Men [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(206)
4 star:		(100)
3 star:		(56)
2 star:		(46)
1 star:		(72)

 

 

"Children of Men," by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, was one of the more unusual success stories of 2006. While not a blockbuster, by any standards, this unconventional film was all but abandoned by a studio that didn't know how to market it. Positioned for release during prime Oscar season, this is not a film that was backed as a potential nominee. However, as almost universal critical acceptance came rolling in--a smaller, but loyal, fan base discovered and embraced this movie. "Children of Men" ended up, therefore, with much acclaim and admiration, decent box office, a more widespread distribution, and 3 Academy Award nominations (Screenplay, Editing, and Cinematography).

In an interesting twist on the apocalypse drama genre, "Children of Men" presents a world that is coming to an end with a whimper as opposed to a bang. For there is no cataclysmic explosion forcing humanity to confront it's own mortality. No, in this case, people have simply lost the ability to reproduce--and the youngest person alive is now approaching adulthood. Of course, over the ensuing years (the film is set in 2027) of this ongoing tragedy, there has been an expected societal breakdown. Now, the streets of London are ravaged by terrorism and extremist groups are battling to overturn the complacent, and possibly complicit, government. While this may seem like a broad and epic canvas, "Children of Men" covers many weighty issues within the relatively straightforward story of its protagonist, Clive Owen. Owen, an ex-activist who is now somewhat disconnected, is drawn back into a world that he wants no part of. The unlikeliest and most reluctant of heroes, Owen confronts his own ideology and apathy when an extremist group introduces him to a pregnant teen. Fearing that she will be exploited, used, or otherwise politically manipulated by the warring factions--he decides to deliver her to a utopian (and perhaps mythical) society whose only interest is in saving humanity. Getting her free from the controlling clutches that bind her and crossing a country plagued by insurrection, "Children of Men" becomes a harrowing and brutal action picture with violence that resembles much of what we see on TV news today.

Owen has long been a favorite of mine. Having taken notice of him in "Croupier" (and if you haven't caught this great noir piece, please do), I have been quite impressed by his rise in mainstream films. He was so electrifying in "Closer" that I even forgave him for "Derailed." Here, he is the perfect antihero--and his evolution from a disinterested party to a rogue patriot is an indelible portrait of a man rediscovering a purpose and meaning in life. Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, and Clare-Hope Ashitey (as the pregnant team) lead an able supporting cast. The documentary feel of the film's action pieces suit the material well, and the conflicts are well staged and all too believable.

Now, there are many political debates to be started from "Children of Men" (none of which will I engage in here), but what I admired about the film's screenplay is how focused it is. Without being preachy or engaging in unnecessary "speechifying," this film plays as straight action. And while there is a "revelatory" moment near the end that almost goes too far (but is understandable within the context of the film), "Children of Men" allows you to draw your own conclusions. It just presents the story and leaves much of its interpretation up to the viewer. That, to me, is always a satisfying choice. Whether you view this film as action, sci-fi, political allegory, or a combination of all three--it's a worthwhile and entertaining film. KGHarris, 03/07.

Children of Men just came out today in Spain and it is fantastic.

The story line is totally original and the acting is superb. Clive Owen is captivating as a man caught between his sorrow from his past and the hope for a new world future.

The basic premise is set in the year 2027 and 18 years ago women mysteriously stopped being capable of having children. Society has started to crumble because all hope of the future has disappeared.

Owen's character (Theo), an ex-activist, is pulled into an underground "terrorist" group that has found something that will bring hope to the world; but hidden agendas and distrust are threatening to pull the only hope left apart.

The cinematography and set designs are top notch, and with a supporting cast that includes Michael Caine and Julianne Moore- it only takes a great story to that next level of excellence.

Also the soundtrack is really well chosen and they use the music to great effect in some scenes; for example King Crimson's "court of the crimson king" is especially effective.

Highly recommended.

January 5th.
I thought I would add that I just saw the movie for the second time today. The visual poetry and thought provoking ideas have stayed quite strong in my mind since I last saw it in October. The second time around the movie stirred up just as many thoughts and emotions as the first.

As some of the other reviewers has mentioned this is a very real feeling science fiction. The problems of tomorrow in this film seem to align itself with many of the issues that we are burying ourselves in today like our growing dependency on chemicals (many with unknown side effects), or the waste that we put in our environment, and last and certainly paramount, the decreasing faith we have of anything beyond our sciences in which we measure reason, and rely upon.

Children Of Men has become one of my favorite movies. And I hope that anyone with a thirst for thoughtfulness gets a chance to see this brilliant movie.

While I loved the movie, I strongly suggest you read the book as well. There are differences between the two and, of course, verbal descriptions of characters' thoughts are often hard to reproduce on screen. Almost always, sacrifices must be made in the script - and this film is no exception. However, I DO feel the movie stays true to the INTENT and MESSAGE of the book and it is quite a wonderful film.
It is futuristic and if you know anything about the author of the book on which this film is based (P.D. James) you'll know this isn't her usual mystery story. But it is one of my favorite works that she has written, telling of a time when people are infertile and of the hope that resides when there is a chance that someone can produce children again.
The government gets involved and there are political messages and subplots, all set against a certain, dark atmosphere. This film will make you think and I actually find the possibility of a future where infertility is almost the norm not outside the realm of possibility. Even if you don't, the "What ifs?" will keep you interested in this masterful film and Clive Owen proves that he is becoming more interesting an actor as time goes on.

Over the lifetime, I often read reviews of films in which the critic proclaims a film to be "haunting." I always chalked that up to hyperbole...until I saw CHILDREN OF MEN. It's been almost three weeks since I saw it...and feelings and moods and images from the film still revisit me from time to time. It's a feeling that's pretty new to me, and I've seen 3000 or more films in my life.

It's not that the film is perfect...I've certainly seen films that leave me more shaken, more entertained, more impressed or more moved to action. But CHILDREN OF MEN soaked me in an atmosphere and a mood and a world in such a specific, complete manner that some of it's images are almost like sense memory to me now. I think the last time I had a similar feeling was in about 1980 when I first saw David Lynch's THE ELEPHANT MAN, which left me so shaken that I had to go again and again in the same week. I'm planning on seeing CHILDREN OF MEN again soon, and may have to go a third time.

I don't think I need to rehash the basic plot...others have done that pretty well. One thing I feel I must comment on is the criticism I've seen in a few places that there isn't any plot, or that we don't know what's going on in this futuristic society. To me, that's almost laughable. How many people wanted to know why the earth became the way it did in BLADE RUNNER? Or SILENT RUNNING? We accept the world presented to us. I think part of the power of CHILDREN OF MEN is that it set in a not very distant future, where the world is turned upside-down...and yet it feels possible. The landscapes, cityscapes, technology, clothing, etc. that we see look very familiar. It feels like today, or maybe just next year. And yet we don't recognize the society, the politics, etc. It's deeply unsettling to see a "future" that feels so totally possible. So bleak, and yet so credible.

True, we don't know exactly why no one has had children in nearly two decades. Would the narrative drive of this movie work better if we did know? Would having that one little answer make the film suddenly perk to life for skeptical viewers? I find it hard to believe. I had no problem not knowing...I can fill that blank in for myself. Otherwise, I think the socio-political climate in the Great Britain presented in the film is VERY easy to glean. There's some easy to swallow exposition and then off we go with the film.

It is the story of one man, Theo, played brilliantly by Clive Owen. He looks weary, furrowed, troubled, smart, cynical, heroic, handsome, dirty, smelly. It's probably too late for Oscar attention for him...but it's an Oscar worthy performance. He's so easy to like, and yet he's very much an anti-hero. But during the film, we see him come to life...to suddenly have something to live for. That's what the movie is about. Not plot twists. Not this happened, then this, then this. It's about one man (living in a society where he already knows the background of what's happened...why would the film tell US?) who is just going through the motions of living. Then some events unfold that jolt him back into engaging in the world and actually working to make a difference. It's effective.

Also, I have to address the violence and some viewer's criticism of it. Yep, it's violent. It's graphic, but not over the top. Lots and lots of people die, but the camera doesn't linger over the nasty results. In fact, people die most often on the fringes of the film. The camera pans, and just as it passes someone in the background, they drop from a gunshot and are seen no more. It's highly effective in giving us a sense of the sudden death that awaits in this new society.

There are many specific parts of the film that I loved. Michael Caine's joyful performance. Theo's ongoing problems with footwear (don't ask). The way in which the midwife character in the film is suddenly yanked out of the story (the whole scene showing Theo's arrival at the detention camps is amazingly well done...just look out the bus window as the scenes roll by). The scene when Kee's secret is first revealed to the general populace and their reaction. It's all stunning and moving.

The movie is very gray, and bleak. Yet there are just enough glimmers of hope to make it bearable. Theo's redemption alone make it worth taking this difficult journey. I felt exhausted after watching it...but also so impressed with the craftsmanship and the feelings I was grappling with.

So now I sound like a real touchy-feely guy. That's not me! But for CHILDREN OF MEN, the best thing I can say is that it was haunting. This is a film that you must see and experience for yourself. I guess you might not like it...others didn't...but if you do like it, you'll be SO glad you didn't miss it. And see it on the big screen.

This is perhaps the most satisfying movie I've seen in fifteen years, maybe longer. Yes, that sounds melodramatic, especially coming from someone who considers himself a lifelong movie buff. But in all sincerity, this is the first film to come along that's capable of challenging Blade Runner's claim to "All-time Best Dystopian Sci-Fi Masterpiece."

But Children of Men is more than bleak scenery and overcrowded squalor. The visual style employed by Alfonso Cuarón and his talented cinematographer (Emmanuel Lubezki) forces you to experience the story in purely visceral terms. You are there. You cannot escape the scenes. Long takes (often extremely long) are used effectively to trap the audience in the middle of the action. The result: some of the most harrowing urban images ever committed to film. In many ways, this movie does for current global conflicts what Apocalypse Now did for the Vietnam War, or Black Hawk Down for Somalia, employing a "you-are-there" style to put the viewer in the hot seat.

And this film isn't even about war, ostensibly, but a single woman's pregnancy! While the plot may follow a rather simple progression at times, the tension is nail-biting, the acting is first rate, and the plot structure rich and imaginative. Children of Men has a lot to offer. If you're like me, it will change the way you watch movies. You will feel like you've been punched in the gut for two hours straight, but the experience is unforgettable. Truly brilliant filmmaking.

This is my first ever Amazon review. Hope it was helpful.

So reads the apocalyptic billboard graffiti which appears in one of the opening scenes of Alfonso Cuarón's "Children of Men," and that's just the kind of bleak but brilliant (and morbidly humorous) touch that epitomizes this film and its landscape.

The year is 2027, and the world is having a tough day. Nay, make that a tough century. Ever since the flu pandemic of 2008 (get your inoculations, people!), there have been no baby births for 18 years. We know this because the film opens with a shot of downtrodden Brits gathering around a TV set in a coffee shop, crying over the death of "Baby Diego" (the heretofore world's youngest person), with non-stop coverage that's probably provided by the British version of Inside Edition (assuming they've moved on from Anna Nicole Smith news by then).

From one of many TV's suspended from the ceiling of a commuter train on Theo Faron's (Clive Owen) trip home from work (where everyone was slacking, watching streaming video coverage of Baby Diego - good to see that at least some things don't change in the future!), we learn something else: "The World Has Collapsed - Only Britain Soldiers On," says the announcer.

Yeah sure thing, Mr. Announcer: tell that to the mob of debris-hurling miscreants attacking the train. Or Theo himself, who just a little earlier narrowly avoided getting blown to bits when the aforementioned coffee shop exploded. Suffice it to say, Britain is not soldiering on quite as well as the onboard propaganda would have you believe - or maybe it's all relative, since we also see a lovely montage of the rest of the world engulfed in various explosions and insurgencies. On the other hand, we also find things so topsy-turvy in futuristic Britannia, that people actually drive on the left side of the street - preposterous, I say!

Regardless, Theo's having a tough day too, and it's about to get tougher when an old flame (Julianne Moore) recruits him to assist with the riskiest midwifery the future has ever seen. He then gets caught up in navigating his way through clashes between the government and an Uprising that may or may not turn out to be more dangerous to a baby than dingoes in the outback And all the poor bloke really wants is a drink. Gadzooks.

"Children of Men" is exceptional with what it does well, and disappointing for what it does not. What it does well: cinematography, editing and production design. The sets are brilliantly and meticulously detailed, even if they lack some of the special effects and gadgetry that some might feel the future should be infused with. As others have also remarked upon, the long uninterrupted takes are unprecedented in an action movie of this scope and scale, and the camerawork and choreography are exquisite.

Another nifty touch I particularly appreciated was the seemingly incongruous injections of wildlife in the urban decay: the deer in the school, the sheep in the street and the chickens in the stairwell - all perhaps reminding us that life will go on with or without us, and psychologically ratcheting up the stakes on a subconscious level.

The films also does a good job of including controversial aspects of today's political landscape, which act as visual and aural markers that connect the viewer from the world of today to the world that's depicted onscreen. We will all no doubt recognize the use of dogs and hoods in the detention center, the phrase "homeland security" and the flyers for the missing. (Plus, as Theo's hippie friend Jasper (Michael Caine) points out, suicide kits and antidepressants are provided in governmentally-distributed ration packs, but pot is STILL illegal...) Whether one agrees or not with the editorial choices behind these images, I feel their use creates an urgency that the film would lack were there not such intensely recognizable elements from today's political climate appearing amidst the action.

Where the film disappoints me: plot, writing and - surprisingly enough - acting. First, the plot. However well filmed, this movie is really just one big chase scene. And brilliant premise notwithstanding (a premise whose explanation I personally don't feel is necessary), there's little in the way of what one could legitimately label "intrigue".

Also, the writing is a bit heavy-handed at times. In one scene, the annoying Miriam (Pam Ferris) becomes the Queen of Exposition: "As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in." Ugh. Might as well have used an omniscient narrative voiceover for that clunker of a line (and here's where I might infer something from the fact that this movie has five credited screenwriters, if I were a cynical fellow - which I obviously am not, ha ha).

Lastly, the acting - while serviceable - could have been so much more, given the talent level of the cast. I'm guessing that the nuts and bolts technical aspects of shooting such difficult scenes must have played havoc with at least some of the actors' performances.

Overall, this film has a pretty big "wow" factor - especially for fans of cinematography and set design and all that kind of filmmaking wankery (which I do love). But a more intricate plot, and better writing/acting could have pushed it into the realm of a classic. As it is, I'm hovering between three and four stars for the film, but the DVD features are just enough that I'll lean towards the four (even though I'm disappointed at the lack of any commentary tracks).

I am a fan of dystopian-future movies, and this is certainly one of the most chilling -- and plausible -- that I have seen. The year is 2027 and a series of cataclysmic disasters has brought humanity to the brink: New York City has been nuked, famine and political upheaval have uprooted civil society across the planet, and for nearly twenty years the human race has been rendered sterile. Ah, but there will always be an England... In this case, it's an Orwellian-fascist state riddled with violence and paranoia, with a refugee crisis that threatens to topple the fragile underpinnings of a brutal police state. The film is very dark, but has a mordant sense of humor that is its savings grace. It's also directed in a half-dreamy style that curiously undercuts the action-movie cliches -- a car chase takes place with in a broken hatchback that our hero is trying to bump-start, as the bad guys chase him on foot; later he loses his shoes and runs through the rubble wearing only a pair of plastic flip-flop sandals.

All in all, this was a very effective, but inherently frightening view of the future. Definitely worth checking out.

Children of Men gives us yet another brilliant cinematic dystopian experience in the tradition of great films like A Clockwork Orange, Logan's Run, The Terminator, 1984 and Bladerunner. It makes a web of appropriate, contemporary and significant social insights, while at the same time it gives us hopeful storytelling about the fall and possible triumph of humankind.

The story is set in the year 2027, which is closer than one may think and seems to follow a time period of immense global change. Make no mistake about it, in order for things to end up the way they do in the year 2027 here in Children of Men, we will have to endure some really horrendous ordeals in pretty much the next two or three years. This includes a flu pandemic, some kind of nuclear conflict, large scale societal and cultural breakdown, terrorism, the collapse of all governments outside of England and of course, the most significant feature, the complete infertility of all female humans on Earth since the year 2009. Despair is all that exists in this world but despair is not what this story is about. Children of Men is a story about hope.

Alfonso Cuarón directs; one of my personal favorite filmmakers for Y tu mamá también. The story is inspired by P.D. James' novel of the same name. Cuarón's take is actually quite consistent with Y tu mamá también in that it is a road movie about the primary character's self-discovery and makes some really insightful social commentary. The movie opens by informing us of the unexpected death of "baby Diego", the youngest human being on Earth. We then follow Theo Faron (Clive Owen) who is an unlikely hero in complete despair. He is a flawed drunk who smokes and when asked about his smoking he replies "it's not working", implying that he just doesn't care to live. Then again, in this setting, who really does? The human race will be extinct in less than 100 years. Children of Men could've benefited from less detailed advertising as I almost wished I didn't know that Theo's transformation from despair to hope would be because of an African refugee Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey), who is the first pregnant woman on Earth in 18 years. That isn't to say the film did not surprise me time and time again. It certainly did. I didn't know much about Children of Men going into it and I think knowing less is better for the audience here more so than many films, so I will spoil no more than I have already.

There are two things that make this movie amazing, beyond the fundamental strengths of it's story and overall direction. The first point I'd like to mention is with regards to the performances. Each actor melts into their roles brilliantly. Obviously we expect this from Julianne Moore and Michael Caine but we get some great performances from the newcomers as well. Even the small supporting roles are great. But most of all, Clive Owen has truly arrived here. He actually helped write for his own character and his passion for the role really shows. I'm actually surprised he wasn't considered for an Oscar. It's often easy to say that the character's writing itself is what pulls forth a great performance from the actor, but the fact that Clive assisted in writing the character into the screenplay, and then blew me away with his performance is remarkable to say the least. The other big strength for me is the modern political flavor. The film functions as a loose deliberation of sorts on our current global political climate, and it offers us some potentially dire consequences. It's elaborate to decipher where Cuarón's convictions lie, but it's certainly worth joining in on his insights regardless of where you, the viewer, stand.

Keep in mind, Cuarón does not care to offer us a back story like most movies do and the casual viewer may be frustrated with some key questions. It's not a typical action film narrative and the audience is expected to draw some of their own conclusions or even accept that we just don't have the answers at all. Of course that mirrors real life and for me it's challenging questions that make a movie great.

The title of this review is taken from an excellent novel by Phillip Kerr. The book delves into AI and the possibility of it being the next step in human evolution, but more importantly (as I read it) it addresses the question of why we're here and what our purpose is here on earth. While Kerr acknowledges our evolutionary underpinnings, he more importantly addresses the responsibility we have for our children and the meaning they provide to our lives. The point of the movie, like the novel, is to delve into the way in which children provide meaning and purpose to our lives, and that if we continue to ignore our children's needs and to abuse and destroy our planet, that they, and thus we will cease to exist. The movie does an excellent job of making that point in a very matter of fact and non-preachy way. And while it's set in the future, it didn't have to be. Much of what the movie portrays, the ethnic cleansing, the refuge camps, the civil strife, currently exists in numerous parts of the world.

It goes without saying that the acting in the movie is excellent. Clive Owen and Michael Caine in particular, give fine performances. In addition, the way in which the characters and the script portray both the best and worst of humanity is truly astounding

All in all this is a very moving, thought provoking, and deeply meaningful movie, the message of which we ignore at our own peril.

The Movie:
The Apocalypse. A subject of many debates and dreaded talks. When will the world end, and how? No one will ever know, even though the Mayans had a good date for it (2012.) Children of Men is an apocalyptic thriller, but it differs from many of the ones out already. In this film, the apocalypse is brought upon us not by famine, or a plague, or the supernatural, but in the cease of human birth. The premise is of despair, and the film evokes it perfectly. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron, this films puts you in the middle of the collapse of unity in the world. Britain is the only place on Earth that is still under government control, and all of the illegal immigrants are considered refugees, which are being thrown into "fugee zones," reminiscent of concentration camps during WWII. Theo (Clive Owen) gets involved in a mission by a group of renegade fighters lead by Julian (Juliane Moore,) Theo's ex-wife, who want to help secure the first pregnant woman in 18 years, who also happens to be a refugee. With the help of his best and only friend, Jasper (Michael Caine,) Theo will do all he can to save the life of the girl, in the process finding redemption for the ghosts of his past. The events that follow are nail-biting tense, and one of the final scenes in the film, which is an 8 minute long shot done in ONE take, help secure the tension of the film. The vision that Cuaron puts on display is original and, in my opinion, amazing. You know it's the future, since you will see many neon signs and LCD displays all throughout the city, yet it's not too sci-fi, so you won't see flying cars or talking robots. Having this sense of realism mixed with sci-fi elements grounds the film, making it a more believable 2027. The visual effects here are extremely well crafted, specifically (minor spoiler) the birth of the baby. Also, add the amazing performances by Clive Owen, Juliane Moore, and Michael Caine, and you have a film for the ages.
The Blu-Ray:
Video:
Man, as soon as I put this baby in my PS3, I knew I was in for a treat. The detail in the picture is outstanding! In the outdoor shots, you can see every branch in the trees on the outskirts of Jaspers house, and inside of his home, all of the objects are finely represented. I noticed some pretty deep blacks, and the colors are vivid and sharp. Even though this is a "cold" film, and the main pallete is "steely," when it wants to shine, it does. 5 out of 5.
Audio:
This mix is just bombastic and awesome! The opening bombing scene had some amazingly deep bass, and the unique alarms and music in Jaspers home did as well. This film excels in dialogue, and it was always intelligible. Pans and directionality are perfect, and I never had an issue with volume control, which was an issue I had with "The Incredible Hulk," which was also a Universal release. The film gave my bass a workout, so I say "Thank you, Universal." Another 5 out of 5.
Overall, this film is one to be seen. After watching it at least 5 times, there were things that I missed from prior viewing. Watch and enjoy this stellar film, and reference quality Blu-Ray.