Ender's
Game blends gorgeous special effects, a wonderful story taken from an excellent
novel, and incredible acting from Asa Butterfield, to create what can easily be
considered a great addition to the Sci-Fi genre.
STORY:
Giant
alien bugs, called Formics, tried to overtake our planet, and humans wouldn't
stand for it. We fought back and made
the Formics retreat to their own world where they belong. And now seventy years has past and the human
race wants to make sure we're ready for if and when the Formics return. Enter Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) the
silliest name you'll hear this side of the galaxy, unless of course, you're
familiar with the Hunger Games. Ender's
a lanky young strategist who just may become the leader and savior of our human
race. Can he overcome puberty and a
fleet of alien bugs all at the same time?
Only hours spent in battle school, holding hands with girls and playing
antigravity laser tag, will tell. Space
battles, floating vomit, basic rocket science, and ant logic ensue.
"I want you to take a good look. This is what happens when you drink and pass out. So-called
friends detail your face with permanent marker."
THOUGHTS:
The
entire movie rests on Asa Butterfield's acting-shoulders and just like Ender's
strategies, he delivers. Whether he's
conquering a simulated battle, dealing with superior officers, or standing face
to face with the great Han Solo, Butterfield's acting is superb. Even though he may look like the wind could
topple him over, he still has the chops to deliver some of the biggest lines in
the film. And once you see him in the
role, it's hard to imagine anyone else playing the part.
Harrison
Ford plays Han Solo who plays Harrison Ford portraying Colonel Graff: the only
person in the military that seems to think Ender is the savior. He spends most of the time mumbling through
his lines or pleading with the other actors to trust him, but happens to fit
well in the role. Ben Kingsley as Mazer
Rackham shows up for a minute or two with too much makeup on his face, but
otherwise gives Ford a run for his money.
Viola Davis plays Major Gwen Anderson, the voice of reason and sanity
among the nutty military leaders. And
Abigail Breslin gives a short and somewhat wasted performance as Valentine
Wiggin, Ender's sister. The rest of the
cast are mainly younger actors portraying stereotypical children in Ender's
battle school. And aside from moving the
plot forward and creating high school friction, aren't really a necessity.
"Picture this: Me conquering the world...in a banana suit."
The
film starts off with wonderful Voice-Over from Butterfield during an air
battle, explaining the war seventy years ago and current human worries. The movie then jumps to the present day Ender
struggling to fit in. See…Ender is just
too darn smart to be included among these inferior children, but nonetheless,
has to go through the motions before he can conquer the world. What's more strenuous and takes years in the
book, is breezed through here in under an hour.
But what's the alternative?
Making the movie four hours long or splitting it up into several films? Only directors looking to cash in on a
literary property do that. Then sooner,
rather than later, our little Ender makes piece with his childhood gripes and
pushes himself to become the man we all know he can. Don't be fooled though, this movie is a
little more high school drama, then epic space battles. But along the way, tension still builds, and
if you haven't seen or don't know the story, then you're in for a doozy of a
twist at the end.
Even
though the film can feel rushed, fear not, because Butterfield's acting holds,
what could have been an unbelievable movie-mess, all together. He makes you feel every emotion through his
eyes, even if one moment he's crying like a little girl, and the next,
commanding an entire planet's army. The
real question you're wondering is does this movie hold up to the novel? The simple answer...no. The problem with reading the book before
watching the movie is no matter what, it's hard for a film studio to create
something better than any one person's imagination. It's a little easier in comic book films
because you have great art as a starting point, in addition, to wonderful world
building and story lines. But with
fiction, the audience only has what they've seen in their mind. And how can any movie ever compete with
that? So should you read the book before
viewing the film? No way. If you already have, you might be a tad
disappointed. But if you haven't, the
movie might inspire you to read the book.
If not, well…all that Internet porn isn't going to surf itself.
"I need you to project power and leadership into the way you hold yourself...you're Ender frigging Wiggin."
"No, no, no...I get it. I get it."
"No...you don't. If you did, you wouldn't be standing like that."
THE SPECIAL
EFFECTS:
From
space battles, to alien bugs, to the small details like Ender's sidearm, the
concepts and the look of the film are sleek streamlined perfection. You know those movies where the CG works, but
somehow always seems a little off? Well
that's not the case here. All the actors
fit well within the CG and hand-built sets, and switching between the two is
seamless. The only time something looked
out of place was when Ender travels to the last command base. The alien spaces and walls appeared plastic
like it was made for a ride in Universal Studios' theme park, but those scenes
are minimal and don't hinder the film.
"I don't know how you feel, but you look ridiculous. Good luck winning over the audience like that."
CONCLUSION:
Ender's
game may not stand up to the book, but on its own, the movie does everything it
needs to do. It draws the viewer into
Ender's world, creates sympathy for the main character, adds suspense, and it's
all supplied through a beautiful artistic vision. Now, if you see space and anything in it as a
waste of time, then you might want to sit this one out. But if you need a little Sci-Fi in your life
right now, don't be ashamed to splurge on the Blu-ray so your eyeballs can
really feast on the visuals.
4
out of 5 stars (minus one star for the hasty plot)
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