Movie is pretty good, has its moments, but is _so_ flawed
[SPOILERS, obviously]
This film wanted to have it both ways, in terms of the origins of the children. Were they "mutations"? Or were they "children of aliens"? it seemed like in the film, the mutation theory was proffered. yet, they made a big deal that none of the children had any fathers: these were all virgin births. plus, all the children were the same age. plus, they were each suspiciously of different major nations. all this made it seem to be irrefutable evidence as to some sort of plan. these coincidences are introduced to heighten the mystery, but they are never explained or resolved.
With the innocence (or not) of the children, the movie wanted to have it both ways, also. they are "just" children. yet, they're children who are murdering all over the place. Don't forget: from the very beginning, Paul was controlling his mother. And when she threatened him, he tried to murder her by having her walk into traffic. All the pleadings of Llewellyn to show compassion seems to forget this event and others.
Plot hole: if these children are so smart and don't want to be interfered with, why do they reveal their massive intelligence and other powers in the first place? They eventually disobey their elders and go off alone; how much easier would it just be to bide their time, pretend to be "average" and not risk exposure?
Plot hole: what the *beep* was that machine the children had in the church? why do they need it for protection when they can just use their minds? and how did they construct it when they had not been out of the church at all prior to the machines appearance?
Plot hole: Paul never talks. The director makes a big deal that Paul never talks and Paul's always using mind-controlled Susan Elliot to talk for him. Then, for the first time he does talk... it's just to order Susan to stay in her room. I thought this was a tremendous waste. You build up all that anticipation with his constant silence; you could have had a huge emotional payoff if you actually had him say something important for his first utterance. Not a plot hole, but a huge directorial blunder.
And the ending. Such a cop-out. Oops, a dropped screwdriver sets off the entirety of the attack at once and it cannot be stopped. Those damned screwdrivers!
This movie had such potential. When you see the children gathering each other and walking together, or when Mi Ling quietly says "We're stronger together"-- that was damned scary! This movie promised alot and, in the end, it just didn't deliver.