Reviewed by: C.A. Sizemore (a SoSF Guest Host & Contributor)
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
Sizemore Rating = 4 out of 5 McGuffins
Let me start this review by stating I have never read the book by Jeanne Duprau that this film was based on. That being said I truly enjoyed this film, it is in the classic spirit of YA Fiction the kids are smarter then the adults.
Founded by the builders for reasons lost long ago in the past, Ember is the only light in a dark world. The city is old and it is all her inhabitants have ever known. Her mighty generator is failing, each black out grows longer in duration. Soon the final spark will go out and the last of known humanity will fade into the darkness. Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway) Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan), along with Lina’s little sister Poppy, must battle not only a corrupt Mayor and his lackeys, but over-sized creatures and their own fear of the dark if they are to save their city.
I enjoyed the setting of is movie, Ember felt like a city that had been lived in far longer then the builders had intended. Nothing comes easy for the inhabitants or the kids. This brings me to my only complaint about the film.
Spoiler Alert… Spoiler Alert… You Have Been Warned.
Lina, Doon and Poppy succeeded, they follow the Builders instructions and are able to leave the city. This was a one way trip; the Builders didn’t plan for multiple trips to bring everyone out of the city. The kid’s solution for getting the message back is simple, elegant and totally unbelievable. I won’t prejudice you any more then this, after drawing me in and holding me in the world for an hour and a half the filmmakers dropped the rock in the last five minutes.
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