The world's youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set in and around a dystopian London fractious with violence and warring nationalistic sects, Children of Men follows the unexpected discovery of a lone pregnant woman and the desperate journey to deliver her to safety and restore faith for a future beyond those presently on Earth. -Summary written by Production

I hate writing reviews for really great movies. It is so difficult to find the words to describe how a truly great movie makes you feel. So I am going to do things a little differently this time. Here are some words and the explanation for why I chose them. Before I do that I will give you the short review. An emotionally gripping, beautiful, tense, funny, and engrossing must see from director Alfonso Cuaron that is my number one movie for the year. This has something for everybody and then some.

Emotionally gripping – You sit down expecting a decent sci-fi flick with an undertone of Blade Runner. What you get is a movie that, for someone like me who doesn't read under the surface of movies, still grips you and doesn't let go. I got the idea that there was a whole lot of symbolism going on here that I chose not to try and decipher, I just went along for the roller coaster ride.

Beautiful – There are moments in this movie that are just so emotionally charged and symbolic that you just have to say that it's beautiful. Even though the movie is set in a war torn England where the future seems to hold no hope. Look for the long continuous shot when Theo goes into the building to save Kee. That shot is almost too much, both emotionally and cinematographically.

Tense – The action sequences are awesome. Reminds me of the opening of Saving Private Ryan and the commercial for that WWII game for the X-Box 360.

These characters aren't in it for survival of the individual, they are in it for the species, to quote Doogie Howser from Starship Troopers.

Funny – Besides anything Michael Caine says, Children Of Men is filled with fantastic little quips that are spot on. These characters use humor to deal with the bleakness and ugliness around them. None of the humor seems over the top or out of place.

Engrossing – Most of the time at the theater I look around to see what kind of audience there is, take my time writing notes, making sure that my wife is enjoying herself, so on and so forth. Children Of Men had me from the beginning. I took only two notes for the whole film. "Michael Caine is on some good drugs (probably Strawberry Cough)." and "A little too much hand held camera work".

The camera work note was the only problem I had with the whole movie but I understand the reasoning behind it. Cuaron wanted a documentary feel to the film but I think it is a little overused. Not only in this movie but in TV, movies and video games. I even turn the bob option off in most 3rd person shooters I play. So that may just be my personal preference but dammit, they make tripods for a reason!

For those who need more, everybody involved with this film gave stellar performances. Clive Owen's Theo has lost his way after the death of his child. He just doesn't care anymore until he meets Kee. Julianne Moore's performance as Julian was just as good. You can see the chemistry between her and Owen. You know that there is a chance for them as lovers. Michael Caine's Jasper stole the show though. A hippy pot growing recluse that just enjoys the hell out of life with a penchant for the classic "pull my finger" joke. The rest of the cast shines in their respective parts. There are no bad performances in this movie at all.

Final thoughts – Just a damn good movie that is completely relevant with the direction that the world is heading. The final message for me is "Never give up hope." and have as many babies you can while you are still able to, lol.

Keep reading,
Mitch E.
mitchemerson@hotmail.com

I know you guys are missing my "best lines' section and with newly released movies, quotes can be hard to find. Here are a few from Children Of Men:

Miriam: As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices.

Theodore Faron: Who's the father? Kee: There's no father. I'm a virgin. Nah! Be great, though, wouldn't it?

TV Reporter: The world was stunned today by the death of Diego Ricardo, the youngest person on the planet, the youngest person on earth was 18 years, 4 months, 20 days, 16 hours, and 8 minutes old.

Jasper: Pull my finger!