Children Of Men DVD Review

2027 and the world is in chaos because all hope has been lost. For over eighteen years there have been no births after every woman on the planet has become infertile and scientists are at a loss as to the reason why. As nations fall apart, activist leader Julian Taylor (Moore) contacts her ex husband Theodore Faron (Owen) and asks him to use his connects to procure a visa that will allow them to travel from London to the coast because Britain has closed its borders to the rest of the world to become a police state. After getting the visa he is taken to meet the person they need to get to the coast. Her name is Kee (Ashitey) and she is the future of mankind because she is pregnant.

Once in a while a movie comes along that quite simply blows you away with its originality and power, ‘Children of Men’ is one of those movies.

Based on the novel by P. D. James, ‘Children of Men’ takes place in an apocalyptic future were women have become infertile and all hope is lost. In 2027, as nation after nation falls, Britain closes it borders and shuts itself off from the rest of the world. All illegal immigrants are consisted public enemy number one and are hunted down by the police and armed forces that place them in internment camps. The ‘Fish’, British activists and the ‘Fugees’, illegal immigrants now fight against British government policy to try and bring these archaic laws to an end. This is the underlying plot of the movie and an indictment of where the world could be heading today.

The infertility of man is the driving force of this extremely intelligent science fiction film. Without any real explanation as to why this has occurred, the idea of the whole world not been able to procreate is a frightening and plausible plot device with all the changes to the environment, our over reliance chemicals and drugs and the excessive pollution in the atmosphere. The discovery of Kee by activist leader Julian Taylor produces the first glimmer of hope for the world and a talisman for peace. It is this optimism that is the shining light in the darkness of the plotline and the driving point of the movie.

Director Alfonso Cuarón is one of cinema’s current shining lights. After making a real splash cult indie hit Y tu mamá también (And Your Mother too) and then giving us fresh look at the world of Harry Potter in ‘The Prisoner of Azkaban’, Cuarón turns his hand to apocalyptic science fiction and produces one of the best films in the genre. Shot with a single camera, as if you are an observer of what is happening, Cuarón takes you into the story, engulfing you in sound and vision as he takes you into this plausible future. London becomes a police and military controlled city were freedom is dictated. He majestically uses the British capital, making recognisable landmarks and locations suitably futuristic but not to the point that it looks too far-fetched or impossible, progressing technology, fashion and everything else as it will possibly do.

As a riveting story and an exceptional look, the film is populates by exceptional performances. Leading the line is Clive Owen. The British actor is in every shot of the movie, as we follow him on his journey from obscurity to freedom fighter, as he tries to save Kee from a world gone mad. Owen is quite simply superb as Theo, driving the movie and taking you on a journey that will enthral you and engage you throughout. The supporting cast is also superb. Michael Caine is hilarious as Theo’s only friend and cannabis grower Jasper. Chiwetel Ejiofor continues to makes inroads into Hollywood with another eye-catching performance as freedom fighter Luke. Julianne Moore, Pam Ferris, Danny Huston and a brilliant Peter Mullan bring some class and passion to their influence roles. After making her mark in the Rwandan drama ‘Shooting Dogs’, Claire-Hope Ashitey is extraordinary as Kee, the hope of human race. She is definitely a star of the future.

‘Children of Men’ is a science fiction movie that should be put in the same bracket as ‘Blade Runner’, ‘Mad Max’ or ‘Brazil’. Alfonso Cuarón breathes new life into a genre that was governed visual effects, remakes and sequels. Creative and poignant, the movie reflecting many issues that we face today and ones that could escalate into what we are seeing in this movie. ‘Children of Men’ is quite simply a stunning piece of science fiction.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1 with Dolby Digital 5.1, the movie is presented well highlighting the excellent production design and astounding camera work.

BONUS FEATURES (REGION 1)

Deleted Scenes (2.23 mins) Watch three deleted scenes that show Theo having rent problems and more footage in the Art Gallery.

Possibility of Hope (27.09 mins) Philosopher and cultural critic Slavoj Zizek is joined by fellow philosophers, historians, activists and novelists talk about the reality of the story, the fear that governs the world, the walls around democracy and the fever that is engulfing the planet.

‘Children of Men’ comments by Slavoj Zizek (5.43 mins) The philosopher and cultural critic talks about the true focus of the movie, the meaning of infertility, the problems of immigration, the changes from the novel and the metaphors of the film.

Under Attack (7.47 mins) Screenwriter/director Alfonso Cuarón, producer Eric Newman, camera operator Frank Buono, stunt coordinator Steve Dent and stars Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Chiwetel Ejiofor talk about bringing ‘Children of Men’ to the silver screen. The short featurette covers the shooting style of the film, highlighting the long takes and the single camera technique utilised to bring the futuristic science fiction story to life. It also takes you behind the scenes of the café explosion and the car interior.

Theo and Julian (4.39 mins) Screenwriter/director Alfonso Cuarón, producer Marc Abraham and stars Clive Owen and Julianne Moore talk about the two main characters of the movie and how Theo is a different kind of hero.

Futuristic Design (8.37 mins) Screenwriter/director Alfonso Cuarón, producers Hilary Sher and Marc Abraham, set designer Jennifer Williams, production designer Jim Clay and costume designer Jany Temime talk about creating the near future with an anti-Bladerunner theme.

Visual Effects: Creating the Baby (3.06 mins) See a break down of how the birth sequence was created for the movie.

Trailers Previews of ‘Smokin’ Aces’, ‘The Good Shepard’, ‘Heroes’, ‘Hot Fuzz’, ‘Alpha Dog’ and ‘The Hitcher’

OVERALL

The Region 1 DVD treatment of ‘Children of Men’ is far better than the original Region 2 release of the movie. With more featurettes and a philosophical look at the movie, this is a good package for fans of the film.