Children of Men (2006)

Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Stars: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Runtime: 109 minutes

Synopsis: In 2027, in a chaotic world in which women have become somehow infertile, a former activist agrees to help transport a miraculously pregnant woman to a sanctuary at sea.

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 9/10
Special Effects: 10/10
Costumes/Makeup: 10/10
Editing: 10/10
Cinematography: 10/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10

Verdict: The year is 2027. The place is London. The world as we know it is no more. The reason? Women have become infertile 18 years prior, and humanity is on the brink of collapse. But somewhere in all the chaos that ensues, a shred of hope surfaces and must be protected at all costs.

With "Children of Men", Cuarón have crafted what I believe is one of the best science fictions of all time. Not only because it deals with themes more relevant than ever today such as immigration or terrorism while telling a terribly gripping survival story, but also because its execution is truly out of this world. Cuarón and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki (who in my opinion is the best DP working today) pull off the impossible by heavily relying on breathtaking and flawless single-shot action sequences in which so much happen at once. Another striking aspect about this film is the very grounded, very raw depiction of a world that has completely lost hope, that has succumbed to despair and desperation. It's impossible not to feel what the characters are feeling, despite a couple of minor unnecessary exposition scenes I wish were left out of the final cut.

It's difficult not to admire a movie that is so depressing in its nature but that still manages to sneak in a weed-loving character who enjoys making fart jokes played by Michael Caine. It took me more than one viewing to fully appreciate what sadly was a box office bomb at the time of its release, and I can now say with confidence that "Children of Men" is one of the very best films of the current century.

FINAL GRADE: 9/10