Children of Men (Special Edition) (2 discs) DVD, 2006

Based on the novel by PD James, Children of Men is a dystopian tale of near-future Britain - a world where mankind is infertile and the youngest living person died this morning. However this isn't an examination of morality in a society doomed to certain extinction within a few decades time. No, it's a thriller - the richest one in years.
The adaptation itself is intriguing - they've taken the concept and, together with excellent design and cinematography, created a compelling, hauntingly believable world. The plot on the other hand has been heavily reconstructed into a veritable thrill-ride – in the midst of a totalitarian government and terrorists, Clive Owen must escort a precious, fragile prize – the first pregnant women in nearly thirty years - to a rendezvous with a science ship off the coast of Britain. Despite the calibre of the performances, it's the filmmaking craft that's the star of the show here - action films simply don't often get this level of attention or skill. So – thrilling, thought-provoking and impeccably well made - what more could you want?

Dan Hunter on 18th December 2006
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