Sorry to hear that and that would partly explain why your Animator Reacts of the Hobbit and your Rise of the Beasts reactions were suddenly delayed this week. Hope you feel better.
Also depending on next week’s film following _Children of Men_ I would highly recommend that after that film, all four of you will react to other different films outside of the Science Fiction and Godzilla/Monster/Kaiju films every Thursday such as those of the Horror, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy and Action genres like The _Kingsman_ films, _Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Scott Pilgrim, Stardust, Van Helsing, The Mummy films, Star Wars, Indiana Jones,_ a Horror movie _(Happy Death Day, Five Nights at Freddy’s,_ etc.), _Arachnophobia, Barbie_ etc. Because you’ve been reacting to Science Fiction films for 6-7 months and eventually it can get repetitive being stuck to reacting to one film genre (Science Fiction) every Thursday and I always would like to see you expand your horizons and reacting to different movies that you’re missing out on and make the Thursday reactions feel new and to add variety, considering your reactions to _2001: A Space Odyssey, Meg 2: The Trench_ and _Annihilation_ are earning a lot less views than your previous group reactions.
Pretty soon it might happen or not in future timeline 2027 but it just movie might not happen else no matter And you should watched 2012-Greenland pretty cool
The scene where Theo and Kee exit the building with the baby... and the battle stops... everyone is transfixed at the realization of an actual baby... then chaos resumes... is one of the most powerful moments in any movie. It never ceases to make me emotional.
I mean... it's a Cuarón film with huge actors that received critical and casual acclaim at release, making lots of money and winning awards. It's definitely well known
It didn't make lots of money at the box office, it actually didn't make back the money in the cinemas. But it did absolutely get critical acclaim, well deserved. And luckily the author of the book also liked the film.@@geneticjen9312
Alfonso Cuaron did right leaving Harry Potter after the 3rd movie. Usually when you see a small budget director going from small budget to big budget, he usually wants to stay in the big budget territory, sometimes making sequels or similar movies. Cuaron avoided that, and instead used his experience on big budget movies to explore other genres and try different things. I love a director that explores different genres. Is usually what leads to a lasting career
Supposedly it wasn't a choice not to do more, it was simply that the HP franchise churned out so many movies at such a rapid pace (which is necessary if you don't want all your child stars to age out of their roles) that he felt like he wouldn't have been able to finish his work on it before he'd have needed to start on the next one. Perhaps he was a bit more meticulous than David Yates, who managed to direct four of them back to back.
Without a doubt one of Alfonso Cuarón’s best and his most intense, serious and Heartbreaking films to date, even I got both emotional and terrified of this film due to the film’s portrayal of the collapse of Human Civilization due to decades of infertility, the violence, and the Police Brutality State the film is set in. I think massive credit goes to the cinematography of this film done by Emanuel Lubezki cause I was very impressed how he did the Long Shots of the Fishes attacking the group and killing Julian, and Theo rescuing Kee from the chaos and firearms of the British Army and civilians on the streets and abandoned building which sort of reminds me of a Documentary shot. And while the film didn’t win the Oscar for Cinematography at the 79th Academy Awards, Lubezki would eventually win the Oscar 3 years in a row for _Gravity_ (also by Alfonso Cuarón), _Birdman_ and _The Revenant_ (all two directed by Alejandro G. Igñarritu).
The fact that they didn't talk once about the directing and the photography during their reaction, at least the YT cut, was baffling. I know they're not professionals, but damn.
"Children of Men," based on P. D. James' 1992 novel of the same name, draws inspiration from her Christian beliefs. The narrative is profoundly influenced by the Nativity story of Christ's birth. In this allegory, Theo represents Joseph, and Kee portrays Mary, expecting a child. They embark on a lengthy journey to Bethelhem and eventually give birth in a manger due to the lack of room at the inn. Interestingly, all the animals show a fondness for Theo, akin to the animals surrounding the birth of Jesus. Thus, what may initially seem like a bleak and depressing movie is, in fact, a tale of hope and life affirmation, centered around the miraculous birth of a single child.
that makes sense because Theo's character is the epitome of a "peaceful protector." he never once uses or even picks up a gun.. he's constantly hobbled without proper shoes.. he is calm and purposeful in the midst of chaos. I love his character arc too. it starts with him being useless and self-absorbed.. and gradually his motivations become more and more selfless and noble.
Im so glad y’all did this reaction. This is one of the most underrated movies ever. Filmmaking alone makes it better than most. I was a teen when I first saw this and it scared me in ways that traditional horror didn’t. The rawness of the film and how bleak everything felt from beginning to end… the rioting, the executions, the destruction, and even the greyish-blue color grading just evoked sadness, fear and despair. Excellent movie.
The most terrifying movies aren't about aliens or demons -- the scariest ones are the ones that could actually happen in real life, and the way the people react as civilization falls apart in this movie feels so real. The devil isn't nearly as scary as people are
The context of when this movie came out is important. This movie is playing on all the anxiety, anger and angst that was swirling in the population due to the "War on Terror" after 9/11 and the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq ... plus, climate change ("An Inconvenient Truth" etc.) And when Michael Caine's character mentions a "flu pandemic" ... SARS (the older brother of Covid) was a big worry in the news, too. Huge mortality rate if you caught it, but it turned out it wasn't very contagious. In general, everyone was processing how sucky the first decade of the 21st Century was playing out, when the 2000s had been shorthand for "the bright future" since my childhood in the 1970s. And this was before the 2008 housing crash!
The pig was a major prop for Pink Floyd since it's appearance on the cover of their album, "Animals." Much like this movie, it was based on George Orwell's fable, "Animal Farm."
One of the greatest sci-fi films ever, and especially in this century. Those super long intricate takes were insane and took forever to choreograph. It was definitey a surprise that none of you had actually seen it, but made for a great reaction.
The big ballooned floating pig and the adjacent building are an homage to "Animals", the dystopian-themed album from Pink Floyd. The album BTW sold 4 million copies in the US alone, and that's nothing to sneeze at. Check out the album cover online for an image comparison to the film. Great reaction and analysis from you guys. Cheers.
Theo’s death at the end of the film represents the end of the old human society, Kee and the Baby Girl (Dylan) represents the hope and future of a new society different from the War-Torn terror and collapse from the old society.
Also when you said the soundtrack was perfect, that was King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King (I'm assuming you don't know obscure english 70's prog rock)
And as well as Michaelangelo's David bring in the hall when they enter, they are having dinner in front of paid Picasso's Guernica painting, which has a historical reference of it's own... Although it has come to be emblematic of the horrors of war (this painting currently resides in the united nations building). The more subtle genius moment is having Michael Caine play as an ageing nineties cultural relic, much like the stereotype of the ageing 60s hippie, except here, they've thought about someone of that generation bring old but still being tied to the music and culture of his time.... Sorry to say guys, but you too will get old too one day, and have you considered if you will be dressing in the clothes of this, your hey day, and listening to the same music then, when you are old and grey, as you do now? ... Something to ponder😊 ...... At any rate, I think this is the first time in movies that I've seen anyone consider this particular point. ...
Although knowing that the Victoria and Albert museum has a plaster copy of David and the fact its just over the river..... I bet its not the real David haha @@MagicMarmalade-kv5hr
not too many recently made movies require that I use the term classic when I describe them, but this one demands it. It makes you think about things that you don’t want to think about.
I really love this movie - I'm not going to say it's underrated, because it's received a lot of praise, but I do feel that it's overlooked in terms of not being a movie the general public is familiar with.
Definitely a good way to put it! It wasn't that long ago I was exposed to this movie, and it really has become one of my all time favorites. Just so well made
It took a while, but in 2015, the film was named number one on an all-time Top 10 Movies list by the blog Pop Culture Philosopher. In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Children of Men as the best Sci-fi film of the 21st century.
When this movie ended, I sat at home for a long time just…feeling all the feelings. I was home alone, and walked slowly around the house letting everything sink in. I wasn’t happy, but I was glad I’d seen the movie. And the ending is hopeful. But it makes you think of how often hope comes with great sacrifice. Theo is one of the most heroic protagonists in recent cinema because he’s so clearly a regular guy, scared out of his mind, but he dedicated himself to another’s wellbeing and has no bitterness about sacrificing himself for a mother and child. Comparing Theo’s hope to the Fishes, it’s like what we say in Christianity: many religious leaders are willing to kill in the name of saving you, but Jesus was willing to die to save you. It’s no accident that our protagonist is named Theo Faron. Theo means god and Faron means lighthouse. Theo acts as a symbolic Christ-figure, and as the lighthouse which guides Kee to a safe port. And Kee is the “key” to the future of humanity. I’m so glad the film ends with the laughter of children.
I think for younger people, they see this movie, and it just looks like a movie. A GOOD movie, but a movie. Similar to things they’ve seen before. Because they don’t have the context. But when it came out this movie was INCREDIBLY ahead of its time. The continuous shots, the “first person shooter” way of following a single character through a battlefield. No cut aways, no wide shots. The intimacy of it that mimicked the experiences of following a character through a novel (the way this was adapted from a book). I won’t say it hadn’t been done before but it was all so NEW. I can see 1917 and some of the most popular scenes from the final years of GOT in this movie. And the dystopian future! The book is from 1992, the movie 2006. But it holds up. The look, the predictions, the WAY society breaks down. When you see movies made in the past about the future it usually looks off or cheesey or cartoonish. But this holds up. This movie is 17 years old and it looks like it could be made today. I think that alone is SO impressive 👏
I’d give young people watching this movie a chance. Let them see the context, a bit of cinema history by their own. Like any great work of art, Children of Men will endure the test of time.
I remember watching this film for my Social Studies class, and really being impressed by the long shot of the attack in the car. It places you in the same position as the characters, wishing that you could flee the horrors, but being unable to.
The climactic riot/combat/rescue scene was staged as one twelve-minute long take with no camera cuts -- crowds, tanks, bazookas, explosions, and all. The camera follows Theo as he makes his way through an urban war zone to rescue Kee and the baby
The craziest is how the actors had to move around to avoid the camera that moved inside of the car/above them. The behind the scenes stuff is pretty cool.
I notice that there is hardly *ANY* music utilized in this film, just ambient noises and violent brutality on the streets and Britain’s countryside, but the only time that music was used were in the emotional scenes of Julian and Jasper’s death and when Theo and Kee with her baby exit the building and done by a heavenly choir.
The climactic riot/combat/rescue scene was staged as one twelve-minute long take with no camera cuts -- crowds, tanks, bazookas, explosions, and all. The camera follows Theo as he makes his way through an urban war zone to rescue Kee and the baby
This movie (and the book I guess) served as one of the inspirations for The Last of Us. There's a lot of similarities between this film and the first game. Theo and Joel are both bitter old men, that lost their kid and gave up their hope for humanity. But during their journey, they regain hope and find something to fight for again.
Both Children of men and The road served as inspiration for The last of us. It's quite similar, but that's great. Not a bad idea to get inspiration from great stories.@@lowserver2
You don’t know Clive Owen? Hollywood’s been trying to make him a star for years, but somehow nothing he’s been in has taken off. He is Arthur in King Arthur with Keira Knightley. Has a key role in Sin City. Done some Guy Ritchie stuff. I’m sure I’m forgetting something significant.
I'd forgotten how deep this movie was; I'm so glad I clicked on this reaction. I re-watched Gattaca again this month too so clearly I'm in a reflective mindset. Clive Owen has always chosen (or chooses) interesting roles; such an underrated actor. Well done you guys though; it's like sitting and watching movies with new (and younger) friends lol x
Kinda surprised you don't know the Actor Clive Owen, he's been in many amazing movies. Not sure if it would be up your alley, but King Arthur (2004) is very underrated, and has a director you wouldn't expect at all... two other solid choices would be The International (2009) and Inside Man (2006).
The film is full of incredible cinematography and many long takes, but of course, the sequence in the car and then at the end during the siege, are all amazing. And the way they did the car scene is really incredible. I mean obviously it's incredible how they did the whole film.
I've always interpreted that the infertility was a consequence of our behaviour as a species on this planet. You see in the background shots of burnt livestock, which seems to indicate disease maybe even ecological collapse. And the huge amount of refugees is obviously for many reasons, but perhaps parts of the world have become unlivable or unsustainable. And there are species that will change their fertility based on environmental pressures in various ways. And infertility could have also been caused by other factors like pollution. There was also the mention of what was probably a serious influenza pandemic, which further contributes to the overall tone of ecological collapse prior to or simultaneous with societal collapse. I think the film implies that the infertility is related to that. It's a symptom of our existence. The film is a warning.
34:00 yeah by the time my cousin got to the hospital she had her baby 20 minutes later. So with how long this girl was having contractions and stuff it's honestly entirely possible. Of course some people aren't so lucky. It took 24 hours for my mom to have me.😅
I can’t help that you notice my mention of _Children of Men_ on a reply I made during the _War of the Worlds_ livestream reaction which led you to decide to react to this film. Even the scene with the Fishes attacking the car in the woods and killing Julian felt very reminiscent to the scene from _War of the Worlds_ where the large crowd started swarming and attacking the car where Ray and his Children (Rachel and Robbie) are in. Granted now while both scenes are portrayed differently where one was an ambush orchestrated by Luke to become leader of the Fishes and using Kee’s Baby for political reasons, while the scene in _War of the Worlds_ was due to the desperate crowd in need of a ride/transportation to avoid the Tripods from the alien invasion, what all two have in common was how violent and monstrous humans can become due to the collapse of society and/or desperation of finding something during an apocalypse which I find more terrifying than any horror movie monster/alien or an alien invasion in general.
You guys, Shan, and TBR Schmitt are my favourite reactors. The top tier, quality watch along folk. Thank you. What I love about this movie is, it does not pull it's punches, it really does put the characters in the worst situation. Gripping till the very sad end.
Clive Owen gives great performances in every role he does and it's criminal for movie fans of any sort to not know or recognize him at all. You'll generally recognize his distinctive baritone voice when he shows up. He was considered for, and I think even offered, becoming the next James Bond back in the earl 2000s and turned it down not wanting to be typecast, which seems impossible. (He did take a role referencing/spoofing that where he played a gentleman spy, in a Jackie Chan film, I think.) I'd say Theo's character journey and arc is, like much of the setting itself as well as the infertility "apocalypse", symbolic of what humankind has brought upon itself (the causes of which aren't explicitly known) whether for how it has treated the earth, other people (as seen in the refugee camps), etc. I think we're meant to experience the violence towards the end of the film as viscerally as possible because it's our own self-inflicted self destruction. Theo is an Everyman. His journey is a sort of redemption/atonement for humanity's sins against and toward itself, and his death is the bookend to shepherding new life and hope for something potentially optimistic, as the sacrifice parents make for their kids, and the generations of the parents make (or will have to make) to give even a chance to generations of the future. It's an interesting creative choice to not tell us whether or not the Human Project is real, whether or not the Tomorrow will really be there, whether or not they're even truly Good Guys. I interpreted that as kinda symbolizing the reality that parents often won't know if their kids will make it afterward and that there often aren't any assurances they'll grow up or get to live the lives we want for them, have the opportunities we wish they could have, any of it. They have to do their best, on faith in a sense and hope they did enough for their own peace.
Absolutely one of my most favorite movies ever. Depressing and heartbreaking from start to finish,, but yet, there's still hope. That scene, when she carries the baby out of the building, the fighting stops and everyone is in awe... that is almost biblical. And though it's a futuristic dystopia, it somehow feels so real. The action scenes are so fantastic, you feel you're almost in there.
The pig and the power station in the background was an homage to Pink Floyd and their seminal "Animals" album - and yes, Alfonso Curon does not like explanatory exposition, he likes the viewer to make inferences on their own based on what's happening. This movie is, perhaps, the greatest film made in the past 23 years. It is resplendent in the sorrow, fear, and hopelessness that comes from a world without children, a world without a future. In our day-to-day lives, no matter what happens or how bad things seem - there is always an underlying hope that things will get better and that our children will do better than we did. What happens to humanity when that underlying hope is taken away? Well, Curon immerses us in that world - a world of fear, bleakness, despondence, and emptiness. Theo is our lens to that world, a man who once thought informed activism could change the world, but was then broken when fate took his child from him - he is now a shell of himself in a world that has become utterly hopeless. We see the shattered world through his eyes and as the movie progresses, we see his hope slowly restored as he does all he can to help this girl and her unborn child. Even as he is dying, we can see the change in his demeanor, we see that his hope has been restored. Of course, Curon does not give us an epilogue, he leaves us with a sense of hope, but also with uncertainty as we don't really know what will happen to humanity - he asks us to believe, to have hope on our own without ever confirming it.
OK so right off the bat, like War of the Worlds, this is another post 9-11 movie so you can expect a lot of influences from that time period, in particular the War on Terrorism. Keep in mind too that in the UK, we had our own version of 9-11 in the form of the July 7th 2005 London bombings, so that opening sequence with the cafe would've hit REALLY hard back then. And at 05:48 that talking point of the government doing false flag attacks to spread the fear was a common conspiracy theory from both sides of the Atlantic 02:18 only Britain soldiers on. This is a VERY traditional British attitude, so in response to what you said later about how the world is going to hell but society seems to be continuing, that's part of traditional British identity: even when it seems utterly pointless, someone will still try to go about their day as normally as possible. Having said that, it’s reasonable to assume that “Only Britain Soldiers On” is just government propaganda, after all we don’t see the outside world directly. And it is kind of funny how right after that video is played, we see rioters throwing rocks at the train. But then again, the fact that so many refugees are trying to get into the country, it does at least indicate that the rest of the world is in a bad enough shape for the journey to be worth it. And regarding the speculations about what caused the infertility? Well it's like pretty much all good post apocalyptic movies: it doesn't matter. Like Theo says, even if they discover the cure, it's already too late. The movie doesn’t explain any of it because it isn't about infertility, it's about the collapse of society and how people treat each other when that happens. The whole infertility thing is really a symbolism for the loss of hope and the beginning of a downward spiral, because like Theo said to his relative at the art museum: why even bother fixing anything if no one is left to see it? 04:52 refugees in cages about to be taken to God knows where. This movie is utterly unapologetic about its imagery and its what makes it fantastic 10:44 Blast from the past from 2003? Now there's a joke that's aged poorly. Remember this movie came out in 2006. But now in 2023, 2003 really IS a blast from the past... oh dear God where did the time go? 14:04 Animals liking Theo is a recurring theme, it symbolises his true nature as a good hearted man. And later when they’re escaping the farm, the dogs chase him but they don’t attack him 30:43 Another VERY hard hitting scene if you know your history. Just before this movie came out, there was a a huge scandal where US and British troops in Afghanistan posed for photos with Taliban prisoners in the background chained up naked and with bags over their heads. This whole scene is referencing that plus all the sickening pictures from various border detention camps. Another detail to keep note: these days anti-immigration sentiment in Europe frequently fall against people from the Middle East, but at the time this movie was made, the focus in the UK was more against Eastern Europeans (the rhetoric against the Polish was particularly strong at the time). This is one of the reasons why so many of the refugees being taken to Bexhill seems to be Eastern Europeans. The movie is a reflection of the ugliest sides of British society at the time and in many ways, it's sadly STILL relevant now. 34:19 The KING of England. The Queen was still alive in 2006 but the movie assumed (correctly) that she would have passed away by the time we got to this time period. And frankly I think the knowledge that her country would turn into something like this would’ve killed the Queen off anyway 38:58 What else needs to be said about this? This scenario is again lifted right from what was happening in Iraq and Afghanistan at the time. I remember seeing something like this every other day in the news. And while yes, we don’t know who these people are and we might not know what she is saying, we really don’t need to. The imagery and her anguish tells you everything you need to know regardless of your background 39:04 not sure if this was deliberate but the music here is the same that was used in a documentary about nuclear war and what would happen if an A bomb went off in central London (QED guide to Armageddon 1982). And yes, the tone fits perfectly 40:06 I cannot emphasise how surreal this whole sequence was to me when I first saw it as a teenager: the stuff being portrayed were only ever shown from war-torn Middle East so it was easy to dismiss it as something that only happens “somewhere over there”. By portraying it happening on British soil, the creators suddenly brought the horror a lot closer to home. 40:40 The blood splatter on the lenses here was unintentional but the film-makers decided to leave it in. 42:50 One of my favourite moments in this whole movie. The entire battle stops the moment people realises that there's a baby in the mix, which is pretty much a miracle at this point (hence some of the soldiers crossing themselves). But then all it takes is 1 person to pull a trigger and the peace falls apart. Making peace is the most difficult thing in the world but breaking it is as easy as 1 shot going off. If that's not symbolism I don't know what is
The Thing (1982) Kurt Russell,,,,, The Thing (2011) Mary Elizabeth Winstead Quarantine (2008) Blindness (2008) Julianne Moore , Mark Ruffalo Abyss (1989) James Cameron ,,, Brazil (1985),,, Species 1995, Species 2 (1998) , ,,, From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) ,,,, G. Clooney, Q. Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Harvey Keitel, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo. Deep Rising (1998) ,,,,,, Treat Williams. 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) Roy Schneider (Jaws) Virus (1999) ,,,,, Jamie Lee Curtis
There arent many perfect films, especially in this genre... and this one is one of them. Bleak, Depressing and brutal... but still complete art. Those long uncut takes really ramp the tension up. You also dont cut the cord straight away, since alot of the blood has to drain from the placenta into the baby.
The floating pig is a reference to Pink Floyd. The did that to shoot an album cover. It famously got loose and floated around England. So it makes sense it'd be part of an art exhibit.
Clive Owen does a lot of TV and stage work these days. Sin City and Shoot Em Up are a couple of others that he did. Blade Runner, Strange Days, Children of Men, Elysium. All some of my favs. If you wanna get real crazy throw in Johnny Mnemonic. It's Keanu Reeves hacker sci-fi before The Matrix.
Man, THIS was a treasure. I found out about this movie in 2018 and was blown away. How did you guys find this one? Doesn't matter, thank you for reacting! ❤
I always figured it was a viral pandemic. Retroviruses can infiltrate and modify the host's DNA, so maybe an extremely rare mutation leads to some strain that by chance knocks out a DNA sequence rendering the host infertile. If there are no other symptoms, then the retrovirus would continue to spread but it would take a really long time for doctors to figure out what was causing all the infertility, and by then it would be too late to prevent worldwide spread. Perhaps this pregnancy was the retrovirus mutating again, and Kee somehow ended up with this new variant which no longer causes infertility. If so it would be crucial to isolate and replicate that.
I agree to that, but since there are isolated (indigene) communities not connected to the rest of mankind somewhere on the world there should have been children still .
@@NiersFloater honestly in the grand scheme of 7 billion of everyone else, the few communities like the Sentinelese would simply be seen as a weird curiosity while the vast majority of human civilization die off. an even more dystopian take would be that as people get desperate they would likely start raiding, kidnapping and dissecting said communities to find a solution
A powerful film! Great to see you guys reacting to it, doesn't get the attention it deserves... and filmed here in the UK! Oh and you guys should check out Sphere 1998, Sci-fi/Mystery/Horror another forgotten gem ;)
That scene-change moment at 39:00 with the music sting was absolutely terrifying on the big screen, you knew what was coming next was going to be a nightmare. I was loving every minute of it, but my partner at the time was shitting bricks the entire movie, she wanted to leave so many times but i convinced her to stick it through haha. This movie just hit different with women i think, at least i've been told by some that the concept of the movie is horrifying for a mother or /to-be. Doesn't help that it was filmed in such a gritty and realistic way, it comes across as so plausible. Classic, worth revisiting every now and then, and i'd argue one of Clive Owen's best roles.
Species 1995, Species 2 (1998) , ,,, From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) ,,,, G. Clooney, Q. Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Harvey Keitel, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo. Deep Rising (1998) ,,,,,, Treat Williams. 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) Roy Schneider (Jaws) Virus (1999) ,,,,, Jamie Lee Curtis
The TV clip at the beginning where it says "the rest of the world is in ruin but Britain soldiers on" or something like that is quite obviously propaganda, so I think we're allowed to take it with a grain of salt. ;) This movie is brutal and amazing. I think the point is to show how easily all the worst nightmares of the XXth century (war, concentration camps, fascism etc) could come back.
A couple times you guys say something along the lines of, “you don’t want someone to see that you’re pregnant.” If you’re saying “see” literally, as in, “seeing her belly” than sure. But I don’t think anyone will deduce pregnancy from her actions or behavior since no one has been around pregnant women for nearly twenty years and everyone believes pregnancy to be impossible now. There’s a saying: “when you hear hoof beats think horses, not zebras.”
The scene with the inflatable pig is at Battersea Power Station, and while it's a reference to Pink Floyd's Animals album cover, it's probably also a reference to the seeming impossibility of the task, i.e. "pigs will fly"
theo couldn't even control his right flip-flop which came off when he ran. He preferred to get rid of it as his flip-flop was flying in the corridor.😂😂
53:19 It was indeed a pig. It's from the cover of Pink Floyd's album Animals. It's a very iconic album cover that most people assume is a painting but is actually a photograph. That building that Theo goes to to pull some strings to get a pass isn't that guy's home. It's a conservation project where great works of art are being kept in the hopes that they be preserved should Britain fall but someone out there still survives. I guess they felt the pig from the cover was culturally significant enough to warrant preservation. Kind of an odd thing. You got Michelangelo's David, Picasso's Guernica and Pink Floyd's Pig.
As far as short births go, from the first contraction to my first breath was around 3 hours. My brother was not so easy, he also decided to be breach too.
There's examples of women that have suddenly given birth, without knowing they were pregnant as well. Very rare of course, but it has happened. I recall reading about a young woman that got shocked because she suddenly gave birth while sitting on a toilet. @@zybch
From the time my water broke to the birth of my daughter was only about 2 1/2 hours! She almost came out in the waiting room where they check to see how far you're dilated. My mom was with me and the nurses were checking on another woman in the room and I told my mom I felt like I had to push. They had to rush me into an actual room, lol. She was my first and the nurses just kept telling me how lucky I was. The only bad thing was I had originally wanted drugs to get through it, but she came so fast that they couldn't give me ANYTHING.. so I had to do a natural birth even though I definitely had not planned to do it that way!
The casting in this is Phenomenal. Every single character with lines is a brilliant actor in their own right! Also, hearing Industrial Music as something back in the day, before dubstep, was a punch in the face to this 42-year-old Goth! Oof, guys, time travel hurts! When this movie was set in 2009, I was 28!
As others have mentioned, the flying pig is a reference to Pink Floyd. Another prog rock reference is when we hear _"The Court of the Crimson King"_ by King Crimson, taken off their debut album that is considered to be one of, if not _the_ first prog rock albums ever published. Superb film with a very raw vibe, it's one of my favourite dystopian films! Thanks for the reaction!
For me, it was going into the prison. It brought to the forefront of my realization what refugees go through. I was stunned by this entire movie. Stunned, but I also love it. Thanks for watching it with us.
I was just thinking about this movie yesterday, so i’m excited to watch this reaction! I was around 15 when this came out and it effected me a lot when i watched it then. Also i don’t know how it was allowed but we watched this in class in high school as well! And has discussions about it with the teacher etc.
Thanks for this amazing reaction. This is one of the best movies that's been so underrated. It's a heavy movie, but so good. You can see why Julien entrusted Key to Theo's care. That's Clive Owen, by the way. This movie is one of my favorites.
She reveals that she's pregnant in a barn...like? Mary and Jesus... The animals really like Theo, what job has you working with animals...? Anybody? A Shepherd... see where I'm going with this? I'm not even christian/catholic
This movie is pretty exceptional, it never fails to get my emotions all over the place. The various facets it explore of how humanity face its slow death, the viciousness even when it's all pretty much completely pointless. The people that just cannot change their ways. My heart was in pieces and I got just so quiet the very first time that Miriam talk about how it all started in the hospital as pregnancies got more and more rare, all while they're standing in a long abandoned school. Just chills. The entire cinematography is top tier! I've seen the movie many, many time and I had noticed that the animals did love Theo, but you're right, it also quite special how much they do end up helping them. If you liked this movie, I cannot help but to suggest you to look up The Book of Eli. It's another post collapse movie that is quite good and it's got some very good cinematography of it's own. And you don't hear about it all that often!
This movie flew under the radar because of the Eve connotation being represented by a Black woman. If Scarlett Johansson was cast as the pregnant girl, you'd still be hearing about it all these years later. However, I can afford to be wrong.
Putting aside the incredible story, characters, and intensity of the film, the fact some of those extended shots are a single take boggles the mind. Ms. Moore discussed the incredible experience in the car-attack sequence, where literally the actors and the camera man had to work together - while performing - passing the camera around, constantly repositioning themselves to allow the camera to move between them, etc - all in a rapidly moving vehicle. One screw up and they had to reshoot. Which makes the final assault on the tenement building all the more impressive - Mr. Owen said he got closer to the cameraman than his costars because they were like brothers at arms, trying to get the perfect take.
The giant pig balloon is a recreation of a Pink Floyd album cover. The cover was of the same building, then Battersea Power Station where Theo's cousin lived and Pink Floyd was playing as Theo arrived. The interior where Theo gets out of the car was film in the Tate Modern art museum across London.
Ah 2006, seeing this in theaters at 16, angst and anger at the bush administration crystallized by the emotions in this movie, 2016 hadn't happened yet. Good times.
This is one of my personal favourite films. I try not to watch it very often. I trust you will do it justice. Having watched your reaction, I agree entirely with the young lady on the left. I would add that the boys seemed a little deflated by the death of the male protagonist...and you shouldn't be. He was the definition of a hero...perseverance, determination and self-sacrifice are not celebrated often anymore and perhaps they should be. A would-be father/protector... I would hope to do the same x
This movie is a depiction of how God would intercede at our most vulnerable and desperate times. Subtle moments like Theo being loved by animals and helped by nature to complete this mission that would help mankind survive and presumably change their predatory behavior. When Theo was at the window hearing how the fishes planned that ambush that killed Julian. The dogs could have barked and he would have been caught but they didn’t. The roosters and crows making loud noises when Theo was pulling wires and getting ready to escape the fishes. Subtle miracles that simply happen so that Theo could get Kee and the baby safely to the ship of tomorrow. The fighting stopping all at once as Theo and Kee walked out of the building and when they were in safe distance a fish sends an rpg into the tank then in a blink of an eye full blown warfare resumed. Amazing story telling and visuals to submerge us into the movie. Cuaron using hand held shots when they were in Bexhill to follow the main characters, blood in the lenses as you tracked Theo. Just amazing.
Emanuel luzbeki is a genious behind the camera something interesting about the book from this movie is based on the flu pandemic they mention happend before the 2008 pandemic 😮
Theo also is the basis of theology aka God. Theo was the cynic who had given up on humanity and is selfish. Here he regains his faith in humanity and becomes selfless a hero sacrificing himself to protect humanity and helping humanity survive.
I struggle actually ranking my favourite movies when I’m just thinking about it but when someone asks me, I say Children of Men. I love this movie so much.
I was in college when this came out and I remember watching it and it just sits with you. I don’t know how else to explain it but it for sure leaves a lasting impression. Now that I’m a mom and I watch it it’s pure anxiety for me. I just want to hold my babies (okay ones five but she’s still my baby) and keep them safe
Even tho Prisoner of Azkaban is my fav film from his, this IMO is Alfonso Cuarón’s Best Film! I remember seeing it in my Sci Fi class in high school and I was blown away by it. This film should’ve been nominated for Best Picture at the very least. An underrated masterpiece. Clive Owen is an underrated actor!!!! One of the best Dystopian Sci Fi Thriller films ever made!!!
Sorry, I've been super sick (James), uploads will resume as best as possible this coming week!
Sorry to hear that and that would partly explain why your Animator Reacts of the Hobbit and your Rise of the Beasts reactions were suddenly delayed this week.
Hope you feel better.
Also depending on next week’s film following _Children of Men_ I would highly recommend that after that film, all four of you will react to other different films outside of the Science Fiction and Godzilla/Monster/Kaiju films every Thursday such as those of the Horror, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy and Action genres like The _Kingsman_ films, _Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, Scott Pilgrim, Stardust, Van Helsing, The Mummy films, Star Wars, Indiana Jones,_ a Horror movie _(Happy Death Day, Five Nights at Freddy’s,_ etc.), _Arachnophobia, Barbie_ etc. Because you’ve been reacting to Science Fiction films for 6-7 months and eventually it can get repetitive being stuck to reacting to one film genre (Science Fiction) every Thursday and I always would like to see you expand your horizons and reacting to different movies that you’re missing out on and make the Thursday reactions feel new and to add variety, considering your reactions to _2001: A Space Odyssey, Meg 2: The Trench_ and _Annihilation_ are earning a lot less views than your previous group reactions.
PLEASE REACT TO THE THREE MOVIES OF "ARTHUR AND THE INVISIBLES"!!! 😊💖🔥
Speedy recovery!
Pretty soon it might happen or not in future timeline 2027 but it just movie might not happen else no matter And you should watched 2012-Greenland pretty cool
The scene where Theo and Kee exit the building with the baby... and the battle stops... everyone is transfixed at the realization of an actual baby... then chaos resumes... is one of the most powerful moments in any movie. It never ceases to make me emotional.
Goosebumps and Chills all around
It makes me cry every single time and I'm not a big movie crier.
I'm a grumpy middle-aged man and it makes me tear up.
It's visual poetry
Agreed that scene the reverence shown to the baby was amazing, made my heart stop.
It's a crime that this movie isn't well known, because it's so good.
I mean... it's a Cuarón film with huge actors that received critical and casual acclaim at release, making lots of money and winning awards. It's definitely well known
What? Everyone i know knows this movie xD
It didn't make lots of money at the box office, it actually didn't make back the money in the cinemas. But it did absolutely get critical acclaim, well deserved. And luckily the author of the book also liked the film.@@geneticjen9312
@@geneticjen9312I came here to state essentially this.
Agreed, this movie is so impactful. The novel is amazing as well!
Alfonso Cuaron did right leaving Harry Potter after the 3rd movie.
Usually when you see a small budget director going from small budget to big budget, he usually wants to stay in the big budget territory, sometimes making sequels or similar movies.
Cuaron avoided that, and instead used his experience on big budget movies to explore other genres and try different things.
I love a director that explores different genres. Is usually what leads to a lasting career
Direct the best movie in the series and get out. Smart man.
Google will tell you he left for different reasons.
Supposedly it wasn't a choice not to do more, it was simply that the HP franchise churned out so many movies at such a rapid pace (which is necessary if you don't want all your child stars to age out of their roles) that he felt like he wouldn't have been able to finish his work on it before he'd have needed to start on the next one. Perhaps he was a bit more meticulous than David Yates, who managed to direct four of them back to back.
Without a doubt one of Alfonso Cuarón’s best and his most intense, serious and Heartbreaking films to date, even I got both emotional and terrified of this film due to the film’s portrayal of the collapse of Human Civilization due to decades of infertility, the violence, and the Police Brutality State the film is set in.
I think massive credit goes to the cinematography of this film done by Emanuel Lubezki cause I was very impressed how he did the Long Shots of the Fishes attacking the group and killing Julian, and Theo rescuing Kee from the chaos and firearms of the British Army and civilians on the streets and abandoned building which sort of reminds me of a Documentary shot. And while the film didn’t win the Oscar for Cinematography at the 79th Academy Awards, Lubezki would eventually win the Oscar 3 years in a row for _Gravity_ (also by Alfonso Cuarón), _Birdman_ and _The Revenant_ (all two directed by Alejandro G. Igñarritu).
The fact that they didn't talk once about the directing and the photography during their reaction, at least the YT cut, was baffling. I know they're not professionals, but damn.
"Children of Men," based on P. D. James' 1992 novel of the same name, draws inspiration from her Christian beliefs. The narrative is profoundly influenced by the Nativity story of Christ's birth. In this allegory, Theo represents Joseph, and Kee portrays Mary, expecting a child. They embark on a lengthy journey to Bethelhem and eventually give birth in a manger due to the lack of room at the inn. Interestingly, all the animals show a fondness for Theo, akin to the animals surrounding the birth of Jesus. Thus, what may initially seem like a bleak and depressing movie is, in fact, a tale of hope and life affirmation, centered around the miraculous birth of a single child.
I guess I'll be looking for this book now 😅
It's also just a reminder about how much we take for granted.
that makes sense because Theo's character is the epitome of a "peaceful protector." he never once uses or even picks up a gun.. he's constantly hobbled without proper shoes.. he is calm and purposeful in the midst of chaos. I love his character arc too. it starts with him being useless and self-absorbed.. and gradually his motivations become more and more selfless and noble.
Not to mention “Son of man” as one of Jesus names.
Ive watched this movie like 20 times and today is the first time i noticed Clive Owens shoes problem during the movie. Im dumb.
FYI the main actor Clive Owen is also exceptional in "Inside Man" by Spike Lee is well known but that should get more attention.
great film
Extremely fun heist movie
He's also King Arthur in my favorite adaptation of that myth.
@@kingofbudokaiHe’s great with Jude Law, Natalie Portman & Julia Roberts in a movie (based on a play), called Closer..
Shoot em up was a fun movie with him too
Im so glad y’all did this reaction. This is one of the most underrated movies ever. Filmmaking alone makes it better than most.
I was a teen when I first saw this and it scared me in ways that traditional horror didn’t. The rawness of the film and how bleak everything felt from beginning to end… the rioting, the executions, the destruction, and even the greyish-blue color grading just evoked sadness, fear and despair. Excellent movie.
The most terrifying movies aren't about aliens or demons -- the scariest ones are the ones that could actually happen in real life, and the way the people react as civilization falls apart in this movie feels so real. The devil isn't nearly as scary as people are
It's not in any way underrated. Heh.
The context of when this movie came out is important. This movie is playing on all the anxiety, anger and angst that was swirling in the population due to the "War on Terror" after 9/11 and the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq ... plus, climate change ("An Inconvenient Truth" etc.)
And when Michael Caine's character mentions a "flu pandemic" ... SARS (the older brother of Covid) was a big worry in the news, too. Huge mortality rate if you caught it, but it turned out it wasn't very contagious.
In general, everyone was processing how sucky the first decade of the 21st Century was playing out, when the 2000s had been shorthand for "the bright future" since my childhood in the 1970s.
And this was before the 2008 housing crash!
@@t0dd000 I think it is underrated for what it is. It's a brilliant movie that usually isn't listed amongst other such films.
@@t0dd000 Unfortunately it is underrated in that it is has never achieved the widely known status or accolades that it deserves.
I love distopian movies that are odly more optimistic and hopeful than the DISNEY / positive
" you can do it " , mentality.
When Clive knocked out the guy at the door, would that be considered assault and “battery”?
Hahahaha 😂
Lol
Assault and battery _with_ battery
Na, since this guy ment to kill Theo a good lawyer would plead in self defence.
@@NiersFloater Yeah, definitely all charges would be dropped
The pig was a major prop for Pink Floyd since it's appearance on the cover of their album, "Animals." Much like this movie, it was based on George Orwell's fable, "Animal Farm."
This movie doesn't get enough credit the emotion I feel when Theo & Kee exit the apartment surrounded by the military always gets me.
One of the greatest sci-fi films ever, and especially in this century. Those super long intricate takes were insane and took forever to choreograph. It was definitey a surprise that none of you had actually seen it, but made for a great reaction.
The big ballooned floating pig and the adjacent building are an homage to "Animals", the dystopian-themed album from Pink Floyd. The album BTW sold 4 million copies in the US alone, and that's nothing to sneeze at. Check out the album cover online for an image comparison to the film. Great reaction and analysis from you guys. Cheers.
Theo’s death at the end of the film represents the end of the old human society, Kee and the Baby Girl (Dylan) represents the hope and future of a new society different from the War-Torn terror and collapse from the old society.
Hence the reason why the boat is named "Tomorrow"
The inflatable pig is a reference to a Pink Floyd album cover with was taken at Battersea Power Station (which was the same HQ building they visited )
Also when you said the soundtrack was perfect, that was King Crimson - Court of the Crimson King (I'm assuming you don't know obscure english 70's prog rock)
And as well as Michaelangelo's David bring in the hall when they enter, they are having dinner in front of paid Picasso's Guernica painting, which has a historical reference of it's own... Although it has come to be emblematic of the horrors of war (this painting currently resides in the united nations building).
The more subtle genius moment is having Michael Caine play as an ageing nineties cultural relic, much like the stereotype of the ageing 60s hippie, except here, they've thought about someone of that generation bring old but still being tied to the music and culture of his time.... Sorry to say guys, but you too will get old too one day, and have you considered if you will be dressing in the clothes of this, your hey day, and listening to the same music then, when you are old and grey, as you do now?
... Something to ponder😊
...... At any rate, I think this is the first time in movies that I've seen anyone consider this particular point.
...
Although knowing that the Victoria and Albert museum has a plaster copy of David and the fact its just over the river..... I bet its not the real David haha @@MagicMarmalade-kv5hr
not too many recently made movies require that I use the term classic when I describe them, but this one demands it. It makes you think about things that you don’t want to think about.
that's right.
I really love this movie - I'm not going to say it's underrated, because it's received a lot of praise, but I do feel that it's overlooked in terms of not being a movie the general public is familiar with.
Yes, overlooked.
Definitely a good way to put it! It wasn't that long ago I was exposed to this movie, and it really has become one of my all time favorites. Just so well made
It took a while, but in 2015, the film was named number one on an all-time Top 10 Movies list by the blog Pop Culture Philosopher. In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Children of Men as the best Sci-fi film of the 21st century.
When this movie ended, I sat at home for a long time just…feeling all the feelings. I was home alone, and walked slowly around the house letting everything sink in. I wasn’t happy, but I was glad I’d seen the movie. And the ending is hopeful. But it makes you think of how often hope comes with great sacrifice. Theo is one of the most heroic protagonists in recent cinema because he’s so clearly a regular guy, scared out of his mind, but he dedicated himself to another’s wellbeing and has no bitterness about sacrificing himself for a mother and child. Comparing Theo’s hope to the Fishes, it’s like what we say in Christianity: many religious leaders are willing to kill in the name of saving you, but Jesus was willing to die to save you. It’s no accident that our protagonist is named Theo Faron. Theo means god and Faron means lighthouse. Theo acts as a symbolic Christ-figure, and as the lighthouse which guides Kee to a safe port. And Kee is the “key” to the future of humanity.
I’m so glad the film ends with the laughter of children.
great comment man
I think for younger people, they see this movie, and it just looks like a movie. A GOOD movie, but a movie. Similar to things they’ve seen before. Because they don’t have the context.
But when it came out this movie was INCREDIBLY ahead of its time. The continuous shots, the “first person shooter” way of following a single character through a battlefield. No cut aways, no wide shots. The intimacy of it that mimicked the experiences of following a character through a novel (the way this was adapted from a book).
I won’t say it hadn’t been done before but it was all so NEW. I can see 1917 and some of the most popular scenes from the final years of GOT in this movie.
And the dystopian future! The book is from 1992, the movie 2006. But it holds up. The look, the predictions, the WAY society breaks down. When you see movies made in the past about the future it usually looks off or cheesey or cartoonish. But this holds up.
This movie is 17 years old and it looks like it could be made today.
I think that alone is SO impressive 👏
I’d give young people watching this movie a chance. Let them see the context, a bit of cinema history by their own. Like any great work of art, Children of Men will endure the test of time.
I remember watching this film for my Social Studies class, and really being impressed by the long shot of the attack in the car. It places you in the same position as the characters, wishing that you could flee the horrors, but being unable to.
The climactic riot/combat/rescue scene was staged as one twelve-minute long take with no camera cuts -- crowds, tanks, bazookas, explosions, and all. The camera follows Theo as he makes his way through an urban war zone to rescue Kee and the baby
@@charlize1253BEST ONE TAKE EVER , REAL OR NOT , NONE CONE ANYWHERE CLOSE
The craziest is how the actors had to move around to avoid the camera that moved inside of the car/above them. The behind the scenes stuff is pretty cool.
NOBODY mentioned the pov nor the one take. Unreal.
One take action sequences of films, more popular today, were pioneered by films like this one 23 years ago @@louisenglish8069
Bazooka is definitely a unisex name lol!
I notice that there is hardly *ANY* music utilized in this film, just ambient noises and violent brutality on the streets and Britain’s countryside, but the only time that music was used were in the emotional scenes of Julian and Jasper’s death and when Theo and Kee with her baby exit the building and done by a heavenly choir.
The climactic riot/combat/rescue scene was staged as one twelve-minute long take with no camera cuts -- crowds, tanks, bazookas, explosions, and all. The camera follows Theo as he makes his way through an urban war zone to rescue Kee and the baby
Yep, you can see the blood splatter on the camera lens from Theo outside the besieged building to within
Except that it really wasn't shot as a continuous take but as multiple takes stitched together.
It's been years since I have seen this movie. I am a big fan of Clive Owen.
One of my top 5 movies of the 2000s.
This movie (and the book I guess) served as one of the inspirations for The Last of Us. There's a lot of similarities between this film and the first game. Theo and Joel are both bitter old men, that lost their kid and gave up their hope for humanity. But during their journey, they regain hope and find something to fight for again.
Came here to say just this
the whole setting seems like its been copied and pasted from this, lmfao. Even to the point of the guerrillas and the girl protagonist dying early
Both Children of men and The road served as inspiration for The last of us. It's quite similar, but that's great. Not a bad idea to get inspiration from great stories.@@lowserver2
You don’t know Clive Owen? Hollywood’s been trying to make him a star for years, but somehow nothing he’s been in has taken off. He is Arthur in King Arthur with Keira Knightley. Has a key role in Sin City. Done some Guy Ritchie stuff. I’m sure I’m forgetting something significant.
"woke up, felt like shit. Went to work, felt like shit." - Adult Life.
I'd forgotten how deep this movie was; I'm so glad I clicked on this reaction. I re-watched Gattaca again this month too so clearly I'm in a reflective mindset. Clive Owen has always chosen (or chooses) interesting roles; such an underrated actor. Well done you guys though; it's like sitting and watching movies with new (and younger) friends lol x
Have you seen Croupier? He's really good in that. Only found it about 5 years ago myself and am an avid movie fan.
Watching the birth scene was emotional because I believe Theo had regained faith in everything at that point as well. It was a powerful moment.
Kinda surprised you don't know the Actor Clive Owen, he's been in many amazing movies. Not sure if it would be up your alley, but King Arthur (2004) is very underrated, and has a director you wouldn't expect at all... two other solid choices would be The International (2009) and Inside Man (2006).
Has a much smaller part in The Bourne Identity (2002), but is excellent in that too.
The film is full of incredible cinematography and many long takes, but of course, the sequence in the car and then at the end during the siege, are all amazing. And the way they did the car scene is really incredible. I mean obviously it's incredible how they did the whole film.
I've always interpreted that the infertility was a consequence of our behaviour as a species on this planet. You see in the background shots of burnt livestock, which seems to indicate disease maybe even ecological collapse. And the huge amount of refugees is obviously for many reasons, but perhaps parts of the world have become unlivable or unsustainable. And there are species that will change their fertility based on environmental pressures in various ways.
And infertility could have also been caused by other factors like pollution. There was also the mention of what was probably a serious influenza pandemic, which further contributes to the overall tone of ecological collapse prior to or simultaneous with societal collapse. I think the film implies that the infertility is related to that. It's a symptom of our existence. The film is a warning.
34:00 yeah by the time my cousin got to the hospital she had her baby 20 minutes later. So with how long this girl was having contractions and stuff it's honestly entirely possible. Of course some people aren't so lucky. It took 24 hours for my mom to have me.😅
Wow, 20 minutes! That's amazing! Often just the pushing part can take a few hours 😵💫
I can’t help that you notice my mention of _Children of Men_ on a reply I made during the _War of the Worlds_ livestream reaction which led you to decide to react to this film.
Even the scene with the Fishes attacking the car in the woods and killing Julian felt very reminiscent to the scene from _War of the Worlds_ where the large crowd started swarming and attacking the car where Ray and his Children (Rachel and Robbie) are in. Granted now while both scenes are portrayed differently where one was an ambush orchestrated by Luke to become leader of the Fishes and using Kee’s Baby for political reasons, while the scene in _War of the Worlds_ was due to the desperate crowd in need of a ride/transportation to avoid the Tripods from the alien invasion, what all two have in common was how violent and monstrous humans can become due to the collapse of society and/or desperation of finding something during an apocalypse which I find more terrifying than any horror movie monster/alien or an alien invasion in general.
You guys, Shan, and TBR Schmitt are my favourite reactors. The top tier, quality watch along folk. Thank you. What I love about this movie is, it does not pull it's punches, it really does put the characters in the worst situation. Gripping till the very sad end.
One of the most well executed films very powerful and heartbreaking
Very good morning to watch.
Clive Owen gives great performances in every role he does and it's criminal for movie fans of any sort to not know or recognize him at all. You'll generally recognize his distinctive baritone voice when he shows up. He was considered for, and I think even offered, becoming the next James Bond back in the earl 2000s and turned it down not wanting to be typecast, which seems impossible. (He did take a role referencing/spoofing that where he played a gentleman spy, in a Jackie Chan film, I think.)
I'd say Theo's character journey and arc is, like much of the setting itself as well as the infertility "apocalypse", symbolic of what humankind has brought upon itself (the causes of which aren't explicitly known) whether for how it has treated the earth, other people (as seen in the refugee camps), etc.
I think we're meant to experience the violence towards the end of the film as viscerally as possible because it's our own self-inflicted self destruction. Theo is an Everyman. His journey is a sort of redemption/atonement for humanity's sins against and toward itself, and his death is the bookend to shepherding new life and hope for something potentially optimistic, as the sacrifice parents make for their kids, and the generations of the parents make (or will have to make) to give even a chance to generations of the future.
It's an interesting creative choice to not tell us whether or not the Human Project is real, whether or not the Tomorrow will really be there, whether or not they're even truly Good Guys. I interpreted that as kinda symbolizing the reality that parents often won't know if their kids will make it afterward and that there often aren't any assurances they'll grow up or get to live the lives we want for them, have the opportunities we wish they could have, any of it. They have to do their best, on faith in a sense and hope they did enough for their own peace.
they are young, no wonder they didn't recognize him.
Absolutely one of my most favorite movies ever. Depressing and heartbreaking from start to finish,, but yet, there's still hope.
That scene, when she carries the baby out of the building, the fighting stops and everyone is in awe... that is almost biblical.
And though it's a futuristic dystopia, it somehow feels so real. The action scenes are so fantastic, you feel you're almost in there.
The pig and the power station in the background was an homage to Pink Floyd and their seminal "Animals" album - and yes, Alfonso Curon does not like explanatory exposition, he likes the viewer to make inferences on their own based on what's happening. This movie is, perhaps, the greatest film made in the past 23 years. It is resplendent in the sorrow, fear, and hopelessness that comes from a world without children, a world without a future. In our day-to-day lives, no matter what happens or how bad things seem - there is always an underlying hope that things will get better and that our children will do better than we did. What happens to humanity when that underlying hope is taken away? Well, Curon immerses us in that world - a world of fear, bleakness, despondence, and emptiness. Theo is our lens to that world, a man who once thought informed activism could change the world, but was then broken when fate took his child from him - he is now a shell of himself in a world that has become utterly hopeless. We see the shattered world through his eyes and as the movie progresses, we see his hope slowly restored as he does all he can to help this girl and her unborn child. Even as he is dying, we can see the change in his demeanor, we see that his hope has been restored. Of course, Curon does not give us an epilogue, he leaves us with a sense of hope, but also with uncertainty as we don't really know what will happen to humanity - he asks us to believe, to have hope on our own without ever confirming it.
OK so right off the bat, like War of the Worlds, this is another post 9-11 movie so you can expect a lot of influences from that time period, in particular the War on Terrorism. Keep in mind too that in the UK, we had our own version of 9-11 in the form of the July 7th 2005 London bombings, so that opening sequence with the cafe would've hit REALLY hard back then. And at 05:48 that talking point of the government doing false flag attacks to spread the fear was a common conspiracy theory from both sides of the Atlantic
02:18 only Britain soldiers on. This is a VERY traditional British attitude, so in response to what you said later about how the world is going to hell but society seems to be continuing, that's part of traditional British identity: even when it seems utterly pointless, someone will still try to go about their day as normally as possible. Having said that, it’s reasonable to assume that “Only Britain Soldiers On” is just government propaganda, after all we don’t see the outside world directly. And it is kind of funny how right after that video is played, we see rioters throwing rocks at the train. But then again, the fact that so many refugees are trying to get into the country, it does at least indicate that the rest of the world is in a bad enough shape for the journey to be worth it.
And regarding the speculations about what caused the infertility? Well it's like pretty much all good post apocalyptic movies: it doesn't matter. Like Theo says, even if they discover the cure, it's already too late. The movie doesn’t explain any of it because it isn't about infertility, it's about the collapse of society and how people treat each other when that happens. The whole infertility thing is really a symbolism for the loss of hope and the beginning of a downward spiral, because like Theo said to his relative at the art museum: why even bother fixing anything if no one is left to see it?
04:52 refugees in cages about to be taken to God knows where. This movie is utterly unapologetic about its imagery and its what makes it fantastic
10:44 Blast from the past from 2003? Now there's a joke that's aged poorly. Remember this movie came out in 2006. But now in 2023, 2003 really IS a blast from the past... oh dear God where did the time go?
14:04 Animals liking Theo is a recurring theme, it symbolises his true nature as a good hearted man. And later when they’re escaping the farm, the dogs chase him but they don’t attack him
30:43 Another VERY hard hitting scene if you know your history. Just before this movie came out, there was a a huge scandal where US and British troops in Afghanistan posed for photos with Taliban prisoners in the background chained up naked and with bags over their heads. This whole scene is referencing that plus all the sickening pictures from various border detention camps. Another detail to keep note: these days anti-immigration sentiment in Europe frequently fall against people from the Middle East, but at the time this movie was made, the focus in the UK was more against Eastern Europeans (the rhetoric against the Polish was particularly strong at the time). This is one of the reasons why so many of the refugees being taken to Bexhill seems to be Eastern Europeans. The movie is a reflection of the ugliest sides of British society at the time and in many ways, it's sadly STILL relevant now.
34:19 The KING of England. The Queen was still alive in 2006 but the movie assumed (correctly) that she would have passed away by the time we got to this time period. And frankly I think the knowledge that her country would turn into something like this would’ve killed the Queen off anyway
38:58 What else needs to be said about this? This scenario is again lifted right from what was happening in Iraq and Afghanistan at the time. I remember seeing something like this every other day in the news. And while yes, we don’t know who these people are and we might not know what she is saying, we really don’t need to. The imagery and her anguish tells you everything you need to know regardless of your background
39:04 not sure if this was deliberate but the music here is the same that was used in a documentary about nuclear war and what would happen if an A bomb went off in central London (QED guide to Armageddon 1982). And yes, the tone fits perfectly
40:06 I cannot emphasise how surreal this whole sequence was to me when I first saw it as a teenager: the stuff being portrayed were only ever shown from war-torn Middle East so it was easy to dismiss it as something that only happens “somewhere over there”. By portraying it happening on British soil, the creators suddenly brought the horror a lot closer to home.
40:40 The blood splatter on the lenses here was unintentional but the film-makers decided to leave it in.
42:50 One of my favourite moments in this whole movie. The entire battle stops the moment people realises that there's a baby in the mix, which is pretty much a miracle at this point (hence some of the soldiers crossing themselves). But then all it takes is 1 person to pull a trigger and the peace falls apart. Making peace is the most difficult thing in the world but breaking it is as easy as 1 shot going off. If that's not symbolism I don't know what is
The Thing (1982) Kurt Russell,,,,, The Thing (2011) Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Quarantine (2008)
Blindness (2008) Julianne Moore , Mark Ruffalo
Abyss (1989) James Cameron ,,,
Brazil (1985),,,
Species 1995, Species 2 (1998) , ,,,
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) ,,,, G. Clooney, Q. Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Harvey Keitel, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo.
Deep Rising (1998) ,,,,,, Treat Williams.
2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) Roy Schneider (Jaws)
Virus (1999) ,,,,, Jamie Lee Curtis
This movie is the closest thing to a modern Stanley Kubrick classic
It couldn't be further away from Kubricks style
Such an underrated film ❤
Truly a perfect film
There arent many perfect films, especially in this genre... and this one is one of them. Bleak, Depressing and brutal... but still complete art.
Those long uncut takes really ramp the tension up. You also dont cut the cord straight away, since alot of the blood has to drain from the placenta into the baby.
The floating pig is a reference to Pink Floyd. The did that to shoot an album cover. It famously got loose and floated around England. So it makes sense it'd be part of an art exhibit.
So glad you guys did this movie! Keep it up!
Clive Owen does a lot of TV and stage work these days. Sin City and Shoot Em Up are a couple of others that he did.
Blade Runner, Strange Days, Children of Men, Elysium. All some of my favs. If you wanna get real crazy throw in Johnny Mnemonic. It's Keanu Reeves hacker sci-fi before The Matrix.
Man, THIS was a treasure. I found out about this movie in 2018 and was blown away.
How did you guys find this one? Doesn't matter, thank you for reacting! ❤
I always figured it was a viral pandemic. Retroviruses can infiltrate and modify the host's DNA, so maybe an extremely rare mutation leads to some strain that by chance knocks out a DNA sequence rendering the host infertile. If there are no other symptoms, then the retrovirus would continue to spread but it would take a really long time for doctors to figure out what was causing all the infertility, and by then it would be too late to prevent worldwide spread.
Perhaps this pregnancy was the retrovirus mutating again, and Kee somehow ended up with this new variant which no longer causes infertility. If so it would be crucial to isolate and replicate that.
I agree to that, but since there are isolated (indigene) communities not connected to the rest of mankind somewhere on the world there should have been children still .
@@NiersFloater honestly in the grand scheme of 7 billion of everyone else, the few communities like the Sentinelese would simply be seen as a weird curiosity while the vast majority of human civilization die off. an even more dystopian take would be that as people get desperate they would likely start raiding, kidnapping and dissecting said communities to find a solution
A powerful film! Great to see you guys reacting to it, doesn't get the attention it deserves... and filmed here in the UK!
Oh and you guys should check out Sphere 1998, Sci-fi/Mystery/Horror another forgotten gem ;)
That scene-change moment at 39:00 with the music sting was absolutely terrifying on the big screen, you knew what was coming next was going to be a nightmare. I was loving every minute of it, but my partner at the time was shitting bricks the entire movie, she wanted to leave so many times but i convinced her to stick it through haha. This movie just hit different with women i think, at least i've been told by some that the concept of the movie is horrifying for a mother or /to-be. Doesn't help that it was filmed in such a gritty and realistic way, it comes across as so plausible.
Classic, worth revisiting every now and then, and i'd argue one of Clive Owen's best roles.
Species 1995, Species 2 (1998) , ,,,
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) ,,,, G. Clooney, Q. Tarantino, Juliette Lewis, Harvey Keitel, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo.
Deep Rising (1998) ,,,,,, Treat Williams.
2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984) Roy Schneider (Jaws)
Virus (1999) ,,,,, Jamie Lee Curtis
This movie really is heartbreaking.
For some reason, the blood on the lens of the camera during the battle sequence always draws me deeper into that moment. Fantastic.
Guys, if you likes science fiction comedy/action movies, you should watch Galaxy Quest (1999) and The Fifth Element (by Luc Besson, in 1997)!
The TV clip at the beginning where it says "the rest of the world is in ruin but Britain soldiers on" or something like that is quite obviously propaganda, so I think we're allowed to take it with a grain of salt. ;)
This movie is brutal and amazing. I think the point is to show how easily all the worst nightmares of the XXth century (war, concentration camps, fascism etc) could come back.
45:20 wow you're young. This movie got all the hype in the 2007 academy awards, was nominated for 3 of them and made Alfonso Cuaron famous.
A couple times you guys say something along the lines of, “you don’t want someone to see that you’re pregnant.” If you’re saying “see” literally, as in, “seeing her belly” than sure. But I don’t think anyone will deduce pregnancy from her actions or behavior since no one has been around pregnant women for nearly twenty years and everyone believes pregnancy to be impossible now. There’s a saying: “when you hear hoof beats think horses, not zebras.”
The scene with the inflatable pig is at Battersea Power Station, and while it's a reference to Pink Floyd's Animals album cover, it's probably also a reference to the seeming impossibility of the task, i.e. "pigs will fly"
"he better take his flip flops off when he runs" Australians watching this are smugly laughing.
theo couldn't even control his right flip-flop which came off when he ran. He preferred to get rid of it as his flip-flop was flying in the corridor.😂😂
53:19 It was indeed a pig. It's from the cover of Pink Floyd's album Animals. It's a very iconic album cover that most people assume is a painting but is actually a photograph. That building that Theo goes to to pull some strings to get a pass isn't that guy's home. It's a conservation project where great works of art are being kept in the hopes that they be preserved should Britain fall but someone out there still survives.
I guess they felt the pig from the cover was culturally significant enough to warrant preservation. Kind of an odd thing. You got Michelangelo's David, Picasso's Guernica and Pink Floyd's Pig.
As far as short births go, from the first contraction to my first breath was around 3 hours. My brother was not so easy, he also decided to be breach too.
My best friend's labor was only about 4 hours. She doesn't know how amazingly lucky she was even though it was around 3 weeks prem lol
There's examples of women that have suddenly given birth, without knowing they were pregnant as well. Very rare of course, but it has happened. I recall reading about a young woman that got shocked because she suddenly gave birth while sitting on a toilet. @@zybch
From the time my water broke to the birth of my daughter was only about 2 1/2 hours! She almost came out in the waiting room where they check to see how far you're dilated. My mom was with me and the nurses were checking on another woman in the room and I told my mom I felt like I had to push. They had to rush me into an actual room, lol. She was my first and the nurses just kept telling me how lucky I was. The only bad thing was I had originally wanted drugs to get through it, but she came so fast that they couldn't give me ANYTHING.. so I had to do a natural birth even though I definitely had not planned to do it that way!
You girl’s should watch the Descent 2, while a lot of people hate on the movie it really isn’t that bad.
The casting in this is Phenomenal. Every single character with lines is a brilliant actor in their own right! Also, hearing Industrial Music as something back in the day, before dubstep, was a punch in the face to this 42-year-old Goth! Oof, guys, time travel hurts! When this movie was set in 2009, I was 28!
that hurt me too lol
As others have mentioned, the flying pig is a reference to Pink Floyd. Another prog rock reference is when we hear _"The Court of the Crimson King"_ by King Crimson, taken off their debut album that is considered to be one of, if not _the_ first prog rock albums ever published. Superb film with a very raw vibe, it's one of my favourite dystopian films! Thanks for the reaction!
This movie make my heart turn. Amazing to see your reactions, this is one bit of dystopian stuff to put in the treasure box.
One of the best heartbreaking books to film. I loved both.
The Last of Us took ALOT of inspiration from this movie. I have it on physical because I love it so much.
For me, it was going into the prison. It brought to the forefront of my realization what refugees go through. I was stunned by this entire movie. Stunned, but I also love it. Thanks for watching it with us.
Few films truly deserve the following description, but Children of Men does and that description is Masterpiece.
I was just thinking about this movie yesterday, so i’m excited to watch this reaction! I was around 15 when this came out and it effected me a lot when i watched it then. Also i don’t know how it was allowed but we watched this in class in high school as well! And has discussions about it with the teacher etc.
Thanks for this amazing reaction. This is one of the best movies that's been so underrated. It's a heavy movie, but so good. You can see why Julien entrusted Key to Theo's care. That's Clive Owen, by the way. This movie is one of my favorites.
You guys should check out how they did that car scene when they get attacked and his wife dies. Its quite insane!
She reveals that she's pregnant in a barn...like? Mary and Jesus... The animals really like Theo, what job has you working with animals...? Anybody? A Shepherd... see where I'm going with this? I'm not even christian/catholic
This movie is pretty exceptional, it never fails to get my emotions all over the place. The various facets it explore of how humanity face its slow death, the viciousness even when it's all pretty much completely pointless. The people that just cannot change their ways. My heart was in pieces and I got just so quiet the very first time that Miriam talk about how it all started in the hospital as pregnancies got more and more rare, all while they're standing in a long abandoned school. Just chills. The entire cinematography is top tier! I've seen the movie many, many time and I had noticed that the animals did love Theo, but you're right, it also quite special how much they do end up helping them.
If you liked this movie, I cannot help but to suggest you to look up The Book of Eli. It's another post collapse movie that is quite good and it's got some very good cinematography of it's own. And you don't hear about it all that often!
Awesome reaction, can you please watch a movie called THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO.
53:12 It's an allusion to the pig on the cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals, in turn based on George Orwell's Animal Farm.
This movie flew under the radar because of the Eve connotation being represented by a Black woman.
If Scarlett Johansson was cast as the pregnant girl, you'd still be hearing about it all these years later.
However, I can afford to be wrong.
wait, did Stella just say she doesn't know who Clive Owen is?
He's got 81 credits on IMDB.
Or am I just wierd for actually knowing who he is?
I saw this movie very young. still one of my favorites! ❤
Putting aside the incredible story, characters, and intensity of the film, the fact some of those extended shots are a single take boggles the mind. Ms. Moore discussed the incredible experience in the car-attack sequence, where literally the actors and the camera man had to work together - while performing - passing the camera around, constantly repositioning themselves to allow the camera to move between them, etc - all in a rapidly moving vehicle. One screw up and they had to reshoot. Which makes the final assault on the tenement building all the more impressive - Mr. Owen said he got closer to the cameraman than his costars because they were like brothers at arms, trying to get the perfect take.
Stella. That’s it. That’s the comment
Just fyi- most women who have natural childbirth could run like her after childbirth. The female body is amazing
The giant pig balloon is a recreation of a Pink Floyd album cover. The cover was of the same building, then Battersea Power Station where Theo's cousin lived and Pink Floyd was playing as Theo arrived.
The interior where Theo gets out of the car was film in the Tate Modern art museum across London.
Have you watched the film that launched Caine's career? "Zulu" 1964
Ah 2006, seeing this in theaters at 16, angst and anger at the bush administration crystallized by the emotions in this movie, 2016 hadn't happened yet. Good times.
This is one of my personal favourite films. I try not to watch it very often. I trust you will do it justice.
Having watched your reaction, I agree entirely with the young lady on the left. I would add that the boys seemed a little deflated by the death of the male protagonist...and you shouldn't be. He was the definition of a hero...perseverance, determination and self-sacrifice are not celebrated often anymore and perhaps they should be. A would-be father/protector...
I would hope to do the same x
This movie is a depiction of how God would intercede at our most vulnerable and desperate times. Subtle moments like Theo being loved by animals and helped by nature to complete this mission that would help mankind survive and presumably change their predatory behavior. When Theo was at the window hearing how the fishes planned that ambush that killed Julian. The dogs could have barked and he would have been caught but they didn’t. The roosters and crows making loud noises when Theo was pulling wires and getting ready to escape the fishes. Subtle miracles that simply happen so that Theo could get Kee and the baby safely to the ship of tomorrow. The fighting stopping all at once as Theo and Kee walked out of the building and when they were in safe distance a fish sends an rpg into the tank then in a blink of an eye full blown warfare resumed. Amazing story telling and visuals to submerge us into the movie. Cuaron using hand held shots when they were in Bexhill to follow the main characters, blood in the lenses as you tracked Theo. Just amazing.
Emanuel luzbeki is a genious behind the camera something interesting about the book from this movie is based on the flu pandemic they mention happend before the 2008 pandemic 😮
Clive owen is a great actor. If you liked him in this. You'll love him in shoot em up. A very fun movie. You shoiuld definitely watch
Theo also is the basis of theology aka God. Theo was the cynic who had given up on humanity and is selfish. Here he regains his faith in humanity and becomes selfless a hero sacrificing himself to protect humanity and helping humanity survive.
Omg, you know you’re old when you remember how to jump start a stick shift car
41:38 Start hearing baby crying
42:49 CEASE FIRE!!!
I struggle actually ranking my favourite movies when I’m just thinking about it but when someone asks me, I say Children of Men. I love this movie so much.
I was in college when this came out and I remember watching it and it just sits with you. I don’t know how else to explain it but it for sure leaves a lasting impression. Now that I’m a mom and I watch it it’s pure anxiety for me. I just want to hold my babies (okay ones five but she’s still my baby) and keep them safe
Even tho Prisoner of Azkaban is my fav film from his, this IMO is Alfonso Cuarón’s Best Film! I remember seeing it in my Sci Fi class in high school and I was blown away by it. This film should’ve been nominated for Best Picture at the very least. An underrated masterpiece. Clive Owen is an underrated actor!!!! One of the best Dystopian Sci Fi Thriller films ever made!!!