the readviewer

The year is 2027. The governments of the world have crumbled, including governments of the mighty United States, France, Italy and even Malaysia. The only functioning government that still stands is the government of England. The English government refuses to allow refugees and immigrants from other countries to enter England...

The only thing that makes this predicament even more depressing is the fact that the humans have not seen the birth of a child in the last 18 years.

That is the premise of the movie that I had a chance to watch last weekend entitled: Children of men, which stars Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine and Claire-Hope Ashitey as the characters that are central to the premise of the movie.

The movie itself isn't exactly oven hot stuff, having been released in 2006, but I never had the chance to watch until just a few days ago.

Loosely based on the 1992 novel "The Children Of Men" by P.D. James, the story revolves around disillusioned activist Theo Faron (Owen), who has since become a withdrawn white collared worker trying to forget his past.

His low profile existence is shattered when his ex-wife Julian Taylor (Moore), now the leader of a rebel group known as Fishes, requests his help to safely deliver Kee (Ashitey) to an illusive group of scientists known as the Human Project, who seek to end humans' inability to conceive and give birth.....


The only problem with this proposition is that Kee is an illegal immigrant who is also the first human to be pregnant in the past 18 years. Will Theo embrace his past and put his entire future and existence in danger to help this girl who may hold the key to man's continued existence?


This movie is not for the casual watcher who likes love stories or blow-em-up movies that require little thinking and are nothing more than eye-candy.

There are no exquisite battle scenes, and no captivating one-liners that will stick in your head. Instead, the depressive depiction of humanity and the very graphic death scenes linger long after the movie ends. However, the hope and sacrifice that drives this movie is also the theme that stays with you after watching this movie.

These are movies that I personally enjoy, because they have that element of making you really wonder whether this could be a scenario that humankind will have to deal with in the not-too-distant future.

The storyline isn't the most complex, but the way the movie is shot really strikes a chord with even the most hardened of viewers and tugs at your heartstrings.

Acting wise, the star of the show for me was Michael Caine's portrayal as the cannabis smoking Jasper Palmer. He totally transformed himself for his role and I still catch myself sneaking a grin thinking about his two most famous quotes in the movies: "Hi Amigo" and "Pull my finger"... you'll need to watch the movie to know what I'm talking about.

All in all, the theme and setting of the movie is somewhat dark and sordid, but the crux of the movie hails the triumph of the human spirit and the determination to fight for what's right. It's definitely not something you would recommend to kids and those with a weak heart.


PS: Here's an interesting fact... watch the beginning of the movie and you'll catch Kuala Lumpur in the movie's news.... unfortunately, it's just a brief glimpse and it's not very flattering... those of you who've watched the movie, did you catch it?

readviewer signing off.... don't worry, I promise, the next article will NOT be regarding a movie...