“City of Ember” — A Filmcritic Review

Director: Gil Kenan
Producer: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman
Screenwriter: Caroline Thompson
Stars: Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saoirse Ronan, Martin Landau, Harry Treadaway, Miles Thompson
MPAA Rating: PG

Filmcritic Rating = 3.5 out of 5 Stars

We critics like to argue that Hollywood defangs most family fare. Unless it can find a viable commercial tie-in, or lead to a series of equally superficial sequels, studio suits avoid anything remotely dark or contentious. Apparently, the applicable philosophy argues that childhood is a time of innocence and fun, therefore, any movie aimed at said audience should be even more fluffy and non-threatening. Watching City of Ember, the latest live-action effort from Monster House director Gil Kenan, a couple of questions instantly come to mind. One, who authorized such a wonderfully rich yet exceedingly grim adventure? And two, who exactly will show up on opening day?

Read the full film review by Bill Gibron HERE
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