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Movies / Upcoming / Children of Men
Children of Men

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Children of Men (2006)

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92 %
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Reviews Counted:199

Fresh:183

Rotten:16

Average Rating:8/10

Consensus: Children of Men works on every level: as a violent chase thriller, a fantastical cautionary tale, and a sophisticated human drama about societies struggling to live. This taut and thought-provoking tale may not have the showy special effects normally found in movies of this genre, but you won't care one bit after the story kicks in, about a dystopic future where women can no longer conceive and hope lies within one woman who holds the key to humanity's survival. It will have you riveted.

Runtime: 1 hr 50 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

US Box Office: $35,286,428

Synopsis: CHILDREN OF MEN is not a popcorn movie. With its almost relentlessly bleak perspective on the future, Alfonso Cuarón's film doesn't make for pleasant viewing. But it's an exhilarating experience... CHILDREN OF MEN is not a popcorn movie. With its almost relentlessly bleak perspective on the future, Alfonso Cuarón's film doesn't make for pleasant viewing. But it's an exhilarating experience because the picture is an amazing dystopian drama that lacks all the typical trappings of the genre. Set uncomfortably close to the present, it paints a frighteningly realistic picture of the future. In 2027, every woman on earth is infertile. With the loss of the ability to have children, the world has also lost hope. Clive Owen (CLOSER) plays Theo, an Englishman attempting to make a life in a hellish world. His estranged wife (Julianne Moore) convinces him to help transport a young woman to safety. When Theo learns that the woman is pregnant, their journey takes on a significance--and a danger--he never imagined. This is Cuarón's best film to date, a strong statement considering his wonderful HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN and Y TU MAMA TAMBIÉN. Filmed using a handheld camera, the action draws the audience close, making the horror that much more real. In addition to its remarkable car-chase scenes, the film features impressive acting. With his expressive face and voice, Owen gives a nuanced performance that ranks with the best of his career. As a reclusive hippie, Michael Caine shares a charming counterculture view of the crumbling world. Chiwetel Ejiofor (DIRTY PRETTY THINGS) brings gravitas to the role of a terrorist. Just when the film threatens to overwhelm with its sense of dread, small moments of comedy show through in Owen's wry sense of humor and Caine's perfect delivery. When the credits roll, CHILDREN OF MEN leaves the audience feeling shell-shocked, not only because of its brutal prophecy, but also because of its brilliance. [More]

Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chjwetel Ejiofor

Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chjwetel Ejiofor, Peter Mullan, Charlie Hunnam, Pam Ferris, Danny Huston, Jacek Koman

Director: Alfonso Cuaron

Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Screenwriter: Timothy J. Sexton, Alfonso Cuaron
Producer: Hilary Shor, Marc Abraham, Tony Smith, Eric Newman, Iain Smith
Composer: John Tavener
Studio: Universal Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Children of Men

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
N/R

Garth Franklin

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 15 2008 03:15 AM

Dark Horizons

splat

Urban Cinefile Critics

There is much about the film that is impressive, but ultimately we do not care enough about the characters, so our journey is a frustrating one.

Full Review Source: | comment 9 Comments | Nov., 10 2006 02:14 AM

Urban Cinefile

tomato
4/5

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 21 2006 04:14 AM

In Film Australia

N/R

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 21 2006 04:14 AM

Sydney Morning Herald

splat

Fernando F. Croce

Few recent films have so stunned me in segments, and so frustrated me as a whole

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 28 2009 12:13 AM

CinePassion

tomato
A

Amy Nicholson

Cuaron asks us to find hope in a grim nativity story where a reluctant hero and scared would-be mother try to find shelter in a land that desperately needs a newborn savior.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 15 2009 07:17 PM

I.E. Weekly

N/R

Peter Keough

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 23 2009 03:16 AM

Boston Phoenix

tomato
2.5/5

Tony Macklin

Children of Men is a glorious mess. It's a Frankenstein monster of a movie. Part sci-fi, part thriller, part action genre, part religious allegory, it flays and lumbers after meaning-- sending off occasional sparks of style.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 02 2009 09:01 AM

Fayetteville Free Weekly

tomato
B

Steven D. Greydanus

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 29 2008 03:15 AM

Decent Films Guide

N/R

Bob Mondello

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 18 2008 05:58 AM

NPR.org

tomato
3/5

Jonathan Kiefer

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 07 2008 03:16 AM

Sacramento News & Review

tomato

Steve Biodrowski

This is an astounding piece of work - easily one of the best films of 2006.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 07 2008 12:15 AM

ESplatter

tomato
9/10

Brandon Fibbs

I was entranced by this movie. Hypnotized. Spellbound. In a thrall. The final quarter of the film is nothing short of an evolutionary leap forward in filmmaking.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 28 2008 12:25 PM

BrandonFibbs.com

tomato
4/4

Roger Ebert

Cuaron fulfills the promise of futuristic fiction; characters do not wear strange costumes or visit the moon, and the cities are not plastic hallucinations, but look just like today, except tired and shabby.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 05 2007 12:01 PM

Chicago Sun-Times

tomato
4/5

Rob Gonsalves

It does the job, it does it well, and the fact that it's being called a masterpiece for doing so speaks unwell of the current state of movies.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 24 2007 04:48 PM

eFilmCritic.com

tomato
3/4

Joe Lozito

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Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 14 2007 05:13 AM

Big Picture Big Sound

tomato
80/100

Brian Webster

Top-notch suspense, intense action and totally believable sci-fi combine to make Children of Men gripping and a big winner.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 13 2007 04:10 PM

Apollo Guide

tomato
4/4

Felix Vasquez Jr.

I'm inclined to say 2006 was a bad year for film, but Cuarón proves me wrong...

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 10 2007 03:40 PM

Cinema Crazed

tomato
3.5/4

David Keyes

The very soul of the film scoffs at the expectation of being conventional or formulaic.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 09 2007 01:08 AM

Cinemaphile.org

tomato

Rob Humanick

As uncertain and spontaneous as its events are in the moment, Children of Men feels too tightly wound for its own good.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 03 2007 04:45 AM

Stranger Song

 
 
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Latest News for Children of Men

June 28, 2009: Five Favourite Films with Diego Luna
Diego Luna is bristling at RT's suggestion he pick just five favourite films. "It's really unfair to have to say only five films," he complains as he picks his final choice.... More...

June 26, 2009: RT Interview: Director Carlos Cuaron on Rudo and Cursi
Brother of Children Of Men helmer Alfonso Cuaron and Oscar-nominated screenwriter of sizzling Mexican roadtripper Y Tu Mama Tambien, Carlos Cuaron makes his directorial debut... More...

March 26, 2009: Exclusive: McG Talks Terminator Salvation
The news that one of the greatest sci-fi franchises of all time was to get a full-fat reboot predictably sent cyborg fanboys into paroxysms of joy. For about 10 minutes. That... More...

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Unless you've been living in a cave for the last four years, you know that the cheesy old sci-fi TV series known as Battlestar Galactica got picked up, dusted off, and given the... More...

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