City Of Ember - Released 10th October 2008

Here we go again, another science fiction Novel turned into a big budget (US$38 Million) movie blockbuster. Another production wanting to be the next Lord Of The Rings masterpiece. Looks like these producers will never learn. Up to date, total gross revenue for the film is under the US$15 Million mark. Books rarely translate better to film and this one suffers for many reasons. Jeanne DuPrau's book is simply amazing with her perfect imagination driven storyline such as the library, the Pipeworks, and the city itself. Director Gil Kenan should have at least offer the audiences with more than one works of literature that is in the book.

If there's one thing that Kenan manages to get across here however, it is the imagination and vision that is present in the script - ermm, vision-wise I mean. The props and buildings were unbelievable. The first few scenes was remarkably breath-taking with the City of Ember itself is a sight to behold. I have no idea whether the ceiling light bulbs were CGI or real, but I would not change how these bulbs were presented. The special effects were brilliant however it did came off a little bit obvious especially during the scene of the mole-ish looking monster.

While the setting is top-notch, the characters that populate the underground city receive far too little development. The introduction of each characters were averagely presented. However, the relationship between Lina Mayfleet (played by Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (played by Harry Treadaway) were somewhat stuck and the progression never really got through the final stretch. Ronan did live up to her expectations of a post Oscar nomination in the past. The American-born Irish actress was fabulous acting as the girl who was destined to bring Ember to the surface and seems a lot more engaging in this movie than she did just last year in Atonement. Newcomer Treadaway, although looking like one who just came out of Disney's School of Academy, is also brilliant. He was appealing and firm with his lines. That's always promising for a young actor.

Mayor Cole (played by Bill Murray), Tim Robbins (played by Loris Harrow) and the other adult characters never really provided as much support as they should. The casting of such well-known actors in this film really did not do much to enhance the understanding and motives behind the city's cryptic suppression. They probably could have cut much of the budget by introducing upcoming actors. That way, they would maybe, yes maybe, somehow broke even. No offense to these actors, but blame it on the under-developed script.

Overall, it was an entertaining family movie. Not one for the sci-fi enthusiast though, even if it was categorized as one. The gross revenue may just be enough to put you off from watching it, but in my humble opinion, it did not do justice to the quality of movie. Surely a hit with the young ones however.
3/5 stars