As apocalyptic movies go, this is the one. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón (
Y Tu Mama Tambien, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, A Little Princess), who also co-wrote, creates a wonderful artful realistic world. It is 2027 and for some reason, the entire world is impotent and there is no babies, toddlers, or children---the youngest person in the world is 18 and also when he is killed by a crazed fan, everyone in the streets cry. Every major country has fallen down and Britain seems the only place everyone is migrating to. The immigrants are put in cages throughout the cities by the Homeland Security.
Theo Faron (Clive Owen) is an average depressed guy who is just as pissed off as any and doesn't conform to the masses. That is because he was a revolutionary with his ex-wife Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore, finally in a decent role) but they broke apart after their child Dylan died of a big plague. Theo goes to his father-figure Jasper played by a hiralous Michael Caine. Julian is part of a group called the Fishers which tries to get a woman Kee (the delightful Claire-Hope Ashitey in one of her first roles) over the boarder. So, they need papers from Theo who has connections through his cousin. Theo and Julian get reacquainted.
Through a series of events, Kee reveals to Theo that she is pregnant that renews everyone's faith and also shocks the bejesus out of them. She must get to the 'Human Project' which was rumored to be a myth and impossible to communicate with. Again, through another series of events, Theo ends up protecting Kee and getting her to her destination. Along the way, they find colorful characters and she gives birth to the next hope. The cast is rounded out by wonderful European actors such as Pam Ferris as the fiesty midwife Miriam, Chiwetel Ejiofor (who played as the nameless Operative in
Serenity) as a 'fisher' named Luke and Oana Pellea as Marichka, a refugee who doesn't speak English. Technology in the movie is portrayed realistically and feasible as flatter computer screens, animated billboards, video games you play with your fingertips, stronger satellite car computers, etc.
Even though it is a depressing subject, it isn't all that depressing. It is a sad movie and you end up crying. I know I did. There is shooting and killing and the bodies are just left there. It mirrors lots of current events and even though it is very topical, the movie is also very timely. You get what is most important in life, things you might want to avoid like children become the rarest gift anyone would kill for. Clive Owen is just plain engaging as a protagonist, as a generally depressed character he is pretty charming. If the role was given to say Nicolas Cage or Keanu Reeves, it would have just been lost. By the way, Cuarón-- es bueno que tu dejó la sangre permanecer en el lense de la cámara mientras ese escena.
As apocalyptic movies go, this is the one. Directed by Alfonso Cuarón (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, A Little Princess), who also co-wrote, creates a wonderful artful realistic world. It is 2027 and for some reason, the entire world is impotent and there is no babies, toddlers, or children---the youngest person in the world is 18 and also when he is killed by a crazed fan, everyone in the streets cry. Every major country has fallen down and Britain seems the only place everyone is migrating to. The immigrants are put in cages throughout the cities by the Homeland Security.
Theo Faron (Clive Owen) is an average depressed guy who is just as pissed off as any and doesn't conform to the masses. That is because he was a revolutionary with his ex-wife Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore, finally in a decent role) but they broke apart after their child Dylan died of a big plague. Theo goes to his father-figure Jasper played by a hiralous Michael Caine. Julian is part of a group called the Fishers which tries to get a woman Kee (the delightful Claire-Hope Ashitey in one of her first roles) over the boarder. So, they need papers from Theo who has connections through his cousin. Theo and Julian get reacquainted.
Through a series of events, Kee reveals to Theo that she is pregnant that renews everyone's faith and also shocks the bejesus out of them. She must get to the 'Human Project' which was rumored to be a myth and impossible to communicate with. Again, through another series of events, Theo ends up protecting Kee and getting her to her destination. Along the way, they find colorful characters and she gives birth to the next hope. The cast is rounded out by wonderful European actors such as Pam Ferris as the fiesty midwife Miriam, Chiwetel Ejiofor (who played as the nameless Operative in Serenity) as a 'fisher' named Luke and Oana Pellea as Marichka, a refugee who doesn't speak English. Technology in the movie is portrayed realistically and feasible as flatter computer screens, animated billboards, video games you play with your fingertips, stronger satellite car computers, etc.
Even though it is a depressing subject, it isn't all that depressing. It is a sad movie and you end up crying. I know I did. There is shooting and killing and the bodies are just left there. It mirrors lots of current events and even though it is very topical, the movie is also very timely. You get what is most important in life, things you might want to avoid like children become the rarest gift anyone would kill for. Clive Owen is just plain engaging as a protagonist, as a generally depressed character he is pretty charming. If the role was given to say Nicolas Cage or Keanu Reeves, it would have just been lost. By the way, Cuarón-- es bueno que tu dejó la sangre permanecer en el lense de la cámara mientras ese escena.
