Children Of Men Review

When one hears the name P.D. James, it tends to bring images of dusty old paperbacks and thoughts of literary detective Adam Dalgliesh to mind. So it's slightly strange to think that she's behind this bleak, futuristic outing which sees one man fighting to bring hope to mankind. Set in 2027, the film stars Clive Owen stars as Theo Faron, a jaded ex-activist who seems resigned to living in a world where women have become infertile and an oppressive government is struggling to control an influx of refugees from around the world. But amid all this chaos Theo finds Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey), an African 'fugee' who might just change the world. Now he has to try and keep her safe amid the madness and deliver her to a boat off the south coast but with permits needed to travel and a gang of extremists on his tail, it's not going to be easy.

Desperately bleak and disturbing, director Alfonso Cuaron ("Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban") has really made England a grey and depressing place here but he's also injected some sparks of hope - such as Michael Caine's aging hippie who does a fine line in strawberry flavoured weed. But where Cuaron has excelled himself is in the action, especially one drawn out sequence towards the end of the film which would not be out of place in "Full Metal Jacket" as Theo tries to rescue Kee in the middle of a huge gun battle. There's also a much need smattering of humour such as the worlds worst getaway in a car which needs a push start.

A fine thriller which certainly gives you something to think about, "Children Of Men" is one well worth seeing.