If you are looking for some light, uplifting entertainment to cheer you up after a bit too much New Year's Eve celebrating, "Children of Men" is NOT the movie to choose.  But if you don't mind feeling anxious and shellshocked, there is more to like than dislike in this new film directed by Mexican native Alfonso Cuaron.

The movie centers around Theo, played by Clive Owen.  The year is 2027, and no babies have been born in nearly 20 years.  The world is in turmoil.  No explanation for why every woman is infertile has been found.  All the major global powers have collapsed in chaos, except for England which is hanging on despite a flood of illegal immigrants - most of whom are kept housed in pens or prison-style ghettos remeniscent of Warsaw in World War II - and anti-government terrorists (or revolutionaries, depending on which side you're on).  Theo works for the Department of Energy, and is contacted by his ex-wife (Julianne Moore) looking for help smuggling an immigrant to the coast - who Theo learns is 8 months pregnant.  Thus begins a violent and suspenseful journey for Theo as he tries to avoid both the government and the radicals (each of whom would like to use the baby for their own purposes).

Its hard to describe the feeling I had watching this movie.  The violent scenes were similar to "Saving Private Ryan", while the complete chaos sort of a cross between a moderm police state and "28 Days Later."  I don't want to give any more plot points away, but in some respects I felt more as if I survived this movie than enjoyed it.  Still, its pretty good, and mixes despair, hope, and continued effort despite which one is stronger in a very effective fashion.  Michael Caine gives a solid performace as a sort of hippy friend who lives out in the woods, and Clive Owen is at the least adequate.

Go see it, I give the movie a B or a B+, but be in a serious mood before you go, if for no other reason than you'll be feeling serious enough when you walk out.