Movie Info:
Writer: Caroline Thompson, Jeanne Duprau
Director: Gil Kenan
Cast: Harry Treadaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Murray, Lucinda Dryzek, Matt Jessup, Mary Kay Place
Rating: PG
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Release Info:
Theatrical Release: October 10, 2008
DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99
There have been quite a few sci-fi/fantasy movies out for kids in the past few years. From Eragon to the The Seeker most of these movies have been miss rather than hit. I didn’t know anything about the latest Sci-Fi offering for a family friendly audience, City of Ember, so I wasn’t sure if the movie would join the later titles as being movies with promise, all of which didn’t come through for the audience in the end. Luckily, this movie was more enjoyable than both of the previously mentioned films.
That being said, City of Ember isn’t perfect by any stretch of the imagination. The movie has an excellent cast, which includes Tim Robbins, Bill Murray, Martin Landau and Mary Kay Place. The children who play the leads are actually quite good in their respective roles (one of whom happens to be Oscar nominated teen star Saoirse Ronan). There is an intriguing story and though the film isn’t as action packed as this over-hyperized, younger audience is used to, there is enough adventure to hold their interest. This film was enjoyed by my teen and my young nephew. It’s recommended for most kids, though you may want to watch this first if your child is sensitive or under the age of 5, just to make sure it is appropriate.
Where many fantasies movies falter this one actually succeeds. The plot follows the book this movie was based on for the most part. Fans of the book should enjoy the movie. Of course, The Seeker was universally panned, mostly due to the fact that the book audience hated how much it differed from the story of the book. Luckily, the fundamentals of this story remain the same from book to screen and I think that fans of the book should enjoy its telling in movie form.
I happen to like the Sci Fi/Fantasy genres. I am glad that I can share these types of movies with the kids. This story is not only somewhat magical, it’s also hopeful and inspiring. I saw many similarities to the world in one of my favorite childhood books, “The Giver.” I am wondering if the author of “City of Ember” was inspired by the work of Lois Lowry. When you are watching this, if you are familiar with this book you’ll easily be able to note the similarities from job assignment to a citizen’s inability to leave beyond the city limits.
The City of Ember Plot
In the beginning of the movie, it is explained why the City of Ember had to be created. The people of the planet, those in charge, must protect humanity from some cataclysmic disaster. To do so they build the City of Ember. The city is built completely underground. Everything from water flow to electricity has been taken care of for these folks, by the mythical city creators who are later known as the builders.
The City of Ember is only meant to last for 200 years underground. Each of the mayors passes down instructions not to be opened until the 200 year mark has been hit. These instructions will show that current mayor how to get the citizens back to the surface. If the citizens don’t return to the surface, the food supply will dwindle and disappear, the power won’t last and the city has the potential to fall apart. Unfortunately, as the years pass the mayors misplace the instructions and they are all but forgotten. By the time the story actually begins, the current mayor has no idea he needs to find the instructions in order to save himself and the rest of the citizens from the city’s destruction.
At this time, Ember has a number of blackouts. The hydroelectric generator is falling apart. The citizens do not know how to fix it. The citizens (the majority of them) are fairly ignorant about their fate. The potential for this entire world to collapse upon them and kill them all is pretty much a certainty. The story revolves around young Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and her best friend, Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway), who are both 12 years old. At the beginning of the movie the two of them have graduated from school.
When citizens of the City of Ember graduate from school they are placed on job assignment. Doon is given the job of messenger, which he switches with Lina, who is supposed to work as a Pipeworks technician. The messenger system was developed when the telephone system collapsed. Lina runs around the city delivering messages to people in lieu of phone service. As Lina travels the city, she has a first hand look at how the city is falling apart. Doon learns that the hydroelectric generator is on its last leg. It’s held together by constantly repaired pipes, which are deteriorating daily.
Lina and Doon are the witnesses to the city’s problems, which could lead to the death of all of them. A descendant of one of the city’s past mayors, Lina discovers the instructions left by the builders to get the city to the surface. She must use these instructions to help save the City of Ember.
Unfortunately, it’s been chewed in part by her little sister, Poppy (Catherine & Amy Quinn), so Lina and Doon must piece the instructions together and try to read them. With a corrupt mayor, Mayor Cole (Bill Murray), only looking out for himself and the adults clueless to what’s going on, it’s up to these two kids to save the world. The only problem is that those attempting to leave the city risk death, something Doon’s father, Loris Harrow (Tim Robbins) knows about personally.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:
Audio/Visual:
I wish I could tell you how fabulous City of Ember looked in its DVD transfer. What I saw looked fair for a screener, but being that was all I received and it was obvious that it wasn’t the final quality, I can only offer you basic specs and say that I hope it looks good, because the film was well worth watching. The visual specs for City of Ember include a widescreen 2.35:1 transfer and a standard fullscreen transfer. Just based on experience I would recommend the widescreen, but that’s just me.
The audio options include English Dolby Digital 5.1 with Closed Captioning, Spanish Dolby Digital Surround, and French Dolby Digital Surround. Subtitles will be available in both English and Spanish.
Bonus Features:
Sadly, I do not think any special features will be included with City of Ember. I cannot say for sure, as we only received the screener copy, but normally if special features are going to be added they are on the disc. This time around nothing was included, not even the movie trailer for the film.
Bottom Line:
City of Ember is better than I thought. It’s a fun film I was easily able to enjoy with my family. Older kids and teens are going to be better suited for this movie than little ones, but depending on your child’s age and maturity level even those as young as four can enjoy this story. A movie with a good message, great acting and a lot to offer its audience, City of Ember is recommended.
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: City of Ember, Family Movie, Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, DVD Review, 20th Century Fox
Written by Ashtyn Evans – Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.
