Based on a novel by P.D. James, Children of Men explores a dystopic future where mankind has become infertile. Great Britain has turned into a police state as waves of refugees from across the globe flood its shores, fleeing from war and anarchy. Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a former political activist turned cynical bureaucrat, is abducted by his ex wife Julian Taylor (Julianne Moore), now the leader of a underground immigrant rights movement called “The Fishes”. Due to his government connections, Theo is offered a lump sum of money to assist in the smuggling of a woman out of London. She is to be delivered to the “Human Project”, a scientific group in the Azores who is studying human infertility.

The woman, Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), turns out to be pregnant; the first pregnancy on Earth in almost two decades. As the social and political situation spins out of control Kee’s unborn baby becomes a powerful symbol that both the government and the refugees, led by a militant faction of The Fishes, are willing to kill for.

The movie offers a very convincing near future atmosphere, depicting a dirtier, rundown London. There are no wildly futuristic technologies to speak of, or marauding bands of punk cannibals. The buildings are still standing and the trains still run on time. The breakdown of society herein depicted is at its earliest, less radical beginnings; a slow and pervasive lack of hope for the future of mankind.

Children of Men offers some pretty impressive single shot scenes, strewn across the movie by director Alfonso Quarón, making you hold your breath at times from the feel of realism in them. On the flip side, it has some very slow paced parts as well. The movie also prods the viewer to ponder on both philosophical concepts and up to date problems, such as the need for hope in a hopeless future and the issue of immigration.

Even thought it’s more of a “pre” than a “post” apocalypse movie, Children of Men still makes for an entertaining watch.