Ender’s Game is a 2013 American science fiction action film based on the novel of the same by Orson Scott Scard. It was written and directed by Gavin Hood, other-wise known for directing X-Men Origins: Wolverine. (and Academy Award-winning Foreign Language Film Tsotsi. The film stars Asa Butterfield, with a supporting cast composed with the likes of Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Hailee Steinfeld, Viola Davis, and Abigail Breslin.
This film didn’t really have my interest as much as I would have liked when I watched it in theaters. I didn’t know anything about it, I didn’t read the books, and any of that, I was slightly whelmed with the inclusion of Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsly in the cast. I watch a lot of films in theaters, as many as I possibly can, and some of them are films that I fully realize might not be as wholesome as others. I did have some hopes for this one, if only because of the cast.
Receiving mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and audience-members, Ender’s Game might have been seen as a success. Unfortunately, the film barely succeeding at recouping its budget. And I don’t even know if that’s taking into account how much they spent on marketing. The chances of a sequel adapting the second book looks unlikely because of it. Stranger things have happened, and while lower-tier films like Vampire Academy and Mortal Instruments are evidently finding sequels. Ender’s Game is definitely much higher tier with known cast, so it’s an apple-to-oranges comparison, however.
The film follows an unusually gifted child that is selected to participate in an advanced military academy. This is all done in preparation of a future alien invasion. Ender’s Game shares details on some of his training, and his experiences within the academy.
I can’t really think of a more elaborate description for how to explain the plot to Ender’s Game. The key-points are really accomplished in a full short sentences. The film sheds a little light on certain details, although it never really heads into the depth that I would have liked. I think there’s enough material for this film to have almost been an hour longer. That might be excessive considering that the film almost reaches two-hours by itself. I suppose I might as well say that they could have done it differently. I feel they only scratched the surface on some of what they could have done while in the academy. Everything feels only faintly touched upon, and a little remote because of it.
I do like the end of the film, however. Moviegoers that have read the book will be numb to the reveal, but I found it to be the saving grace of the film. The act itself is only shocking to a certain degree, but the thought of it is cool.
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