Topic: Ender's Game [Spoilers marked]
Apologies if there is already a thread going, a quick search did not reveal one though.
Just saw Ender's Game last night and I don't want to write a full review, but I thought I'd give my quick impression and get a discussion going.
I should qualify myself by stating I really enjoy what I've read from the Ender series. I was introduced to Ender's Game back in high school and since then I've also read Speaker for the Dead (favorite), Xenocide and Ender's Shadow.
I left the theater feeling much like I did after leaving the Hunger Games.
I thought, "that was a fine, unoffensive, safe movie that I'm sure many young adults will enjoy".
I didn't have any huge complaints, but plenty of quibbles and nitpicks.
Spoilers Ahead
My major grievance was probably the pacing. Battle school felt completely rushed and clunky. The amount of time Ender spent there seemed to be pared down from several years to less than a couple months. I understand that time is never on your side when you adapt a beloved book full of great scenes and interesting characters, and that means leaving a lot on the cutting room floor. However, even something as simple as a montage or two showing Ender's training, studying and experimenting may have better conveyed the depth of his genius and empathy. The character moments they did include felt a bit forced. I feel they overplayed Petra and Ender's relationship, when really it was Bean that seemed more important to me in the novel (actually I'm amazed the studio didn't force Hood to include a zero-g kissing scene with those two children).
The fantasy game was fine, again seemed rushed, but I have no idea how else they could have handled it.
I thought the film really picked up in the third act, at command school. I thought the visuals of the 'simulations' looked great and I enjoyed watching Asa command as the great Ender Wiggin.
Kingsley had a good performance as Mazer Rackham (didn't seem to be phoning it in as much as Ford). The final twist felt a little predictable with how some of the simulations beforehand and conversations among the brass were portrayed. This may be because I already knew the reveal though.
I'm sure I have a lot more to say, but I'd like to hear what you all thought as well. Overall I think it was fine, I'd give it a 6/10.
Last edited by Rikkitikkitaavi (2013-11-07 16:16:17)