When an alien race known as the Formics invades Earth, an international military is formed to fight them off. For generations the war wages until finally the Formics are driven back to a different planet.
Now 70 years later, Formic troops seem to be amassing for a renewed invasion.
Chosen as soldiers because of their young nervous systems and pliable neural nets, children and teens have become mankind’s only hope for survival.
Ender Wiggin, a boy with strategic gifts and a brilliant mind, is chosen to lead the battle that, it is hoped, will end the war.
We say, “Take your nymphs in for some quality programming.”
HOWE: Space-tacular. I was expecting a lot less from Ender’s Game than what I had seen from the trailers. It has a very interesting storyline, some nice acting and they don’t go over the top with the special FX.
We have said in the past about the waste of 3D in movies and I can’t for the sake of me understand why they didn’t go down that route here, as this could have made it look even more beautiful than it already is.
TAYLOR: I liked this film. I had no inkling of the story before going in, but I enjoyed the way it unfolded and it managed to keep its secrets from me, so the reveal was satisfying.
I thought the acting, although simple for everyone except Ender himself, Asa Butterfield (Hugo), was effective. Ender is ultimately empathetic and ends up being used by those in command. Ender considers that usury a betrayal, but it is the kind of betrayal that works in the favour of victory, so although he can understand it, it’s not going to help his distrust of authority.
I’m surprisingly already curious about what’s going to happen to Ender in future stories. This fact alone is a strong indicator of a successful film.
HOWE: It was also great to see ol’ happy pants back in space action again. It doesn’t matter what role you put him in, Harrison Ford always comes across as a miserable old coot and I love that about him. Be it Han Solo, Indiana Jones or his current role as Colonel Graff, he is still the best at what he does.
TAYLOR: There really isn’t much wrong with the movie, that I can think of: good FX, good acting, interesting story, social commentaries on war, who fights in them and why. It’s not breaking any new ground and there are a few questions raised by the lack of information provided by the film, not unlike nearly every other film that comes from a novel.
I guess the most common grumblings I’ve heard from people who have seen the film is that there wasn’t enough action, but I don’t have a problem with this, as the technology in the story has removed the soldier from the fighting, which is a commentary of its own accord. The film is deeper than its fans want it to be, I suspect. Maybe they should put more laser blasters in the sequel.
— Taylor gives Ender’s Game 4 queens out of 5.
— Howe gives it 3.5 space mice out of 5.
The film is currently showing at the Galaxy Cinemas in Vernon.
— Brian Taylor and Peter Howe are film reviewers based in Vernon, B.C., whose column runs in The Morning Star every Friday and Sunday.
