Children of Men (2006)

Set in 2027, when no child has been born for 18 years and science is at loss to explain the reason, African and East European societies collapse and their dwindling populations migrate to England and other wealthy nations. In a climate of nationalistic violence, a London peace activist turned bureaucrat Theo Faron, joins forces with his revolutionary ex-wife Julian in order to save mankind by protecting a woman who has mysteriously became pregnant.

This reminded me of 12 Monkeys and Blade Runner in its great apocolyptic textures and grittiness. The story was compelling and the acting surprisingly effective, especially for Clive Owen -- not someone from whom I expected a great deal. That said, these folks just couldn't quite pull it off -- huge letdown at the end. It was as if they simply ran out of time and material, having built up to a climactic end foot chase scene... which was great... and failed to follow thru. Like a bad golf swing on a great course, the resulting shot ends up in the greenside bunker.

***/*****

3/5 Stars