| | |  | INDIA & SUBCONTINENT | Home » » Children of Men (Widescreen Edition) | | | | | | | Description: | | Set in 2027, scientists are at a loss to explain why humans can no longer procreate, but the discovery of a lone pregnant woman leads to a desperate journey to protect her and save the future of mankind.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 4-SEP-2007
Media Type: DVD | | | Product Details: | | | Actors:
| Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Peter Mullan, Pam Ferris | | Director:
| Alfonso Cuarón | | Format:
| AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC | | Language:
| English, French, Spanish | | Subtitle:
| English, French, Spanish | | Number of Discs:
| 1 | | Studio:
| Universal Studios | | Run Time:
| 109 minutes | | DVD Release Date:
| March 27, 2007 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 483 reviews |
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| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 483 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
206 of 234 found the following review helpful:
 It's The End Of the World As I Know It--But Maybe Not...Mar 07, 2007
By K. Harris
"Film aficionado"
"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.
183 of 226 found the following review helpful:
 Brilliant Movie!Oct 20, 2006
By allismile0
"allismile0"
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.
39 of 50 found the following review helpful:
A bold departure for P.D. James (author) results in a stunning filmMar 20, 2007
By K. Corn
"reviewer"
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.
18 of 23 found the following review helpful:
More than a movie about a pregnant woman. Much, much more.Feb 22, 2007
By zirzird
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.
10 of 12 found the following review helpful:
A truly HAUNTING film!!!Jan 16, 2007
By RMurray847
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.
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