These many problems make the technically strong film an utter mess of half-baked ideas. There are some truly stunning shots completed in one take, including a shoot-out near the end of the film that likely took more planning than the script. It’s an amazing accomplishment, showcasing dedication and the desire to create memorable images.
Astute viewers will notice the incredible care taken to craft this dystopian society. Backgrounds are filled with more notes and tips on the story than anything uttered by the main characters. This requires multiple viewings to grasp anything from it, and that bafflingly requires diverting attention from the main story.
Then again, there’s little to the main plotline. The goal is for the leads to find someone to protect them, without any reasonable explanation as to why the Human Project is any more trustworthy than everyone else. This is a mess of a story, baffling and confusing. It detracts from the main line which is a simplistic chase story with hardly any originality behind it. Children of Men is a below par pass with countless levels of untapped potential. 
The HD DVD edition of the film is held in high regard by the videophile community, and rightfully so. The bright colors of certain opening scenes show the range available here, and the muted gray tones later are perfect. In terms of detail, you’ll never see better foliage than you will here. There is no aliasing or distortion, and small clothing details are astonishing in their depth. Black levels are flawless. 
Bass provides quite a punch when called upon. Audio fans will be pleased to hear the sound field used effectively even when outside of heavy action. The film’s world is highly immersive, and when involved in the firefight late into the movie, everything comes together. Gunfire is stunning in its clarity and effectiveness in terms of surround speaker usage.
Extras are deep, though none discuss the back story of the film. This disc desperately needed a commentary. Possibility of Hope is half hour documentary on the themes in the film and their relation to real life. It’s quite deep, and those looking for something more than a typical making of will love this.
Article comments
1 - Ty
Finally, someone else who thinks Children of Men is not a good movie. I too agree that it was a great sci-fi concept which 20 minutes in, degrades into a chase movie.
2 - RJ Elliott
Great review, Matt. I also thought this film left far too much unexplained. This was a great concept that the filmmakers simply botched.