Review of Ender's Game (2013) by Lane Z — 22 Aug 2014

I will preface by saying I never read the book. Now, based off that statement and the PG-13 rating and some of the acting talent in the film, especially the older actors, this movie was stale and frustrating acting wise as much as it was tame and predictable plot wise. This was clearly a movie that needed only a PG rating, but for some reason, they opted for PG-13 mostly because of the "fight" scenes. I'm not too big a fan of child actors in general, but when it feels like there's someone off camera giving them cues on when to speak or when a line is theirs compared to letting it flow freely just bothers me. Too much.

I remember when this film came out people praised Asa Butterfield's performance. So what if the kid can cry on cue? None of his delivery convinced me. None of the other children are worth mentioning. Harrison Ford, for a children's movie, did not convince me as the "evil" colonel with alternative motives. Nobody else really deserves a mention.

As for the science fiction premise...The effects and CGI were well done. A Harry Potter in space kind of feeling with the different groups represented by different animals playing a game (like Quiddich) for clan superiority. Where as HP thoroughly convinced you there was a greater threat alongside its games and side missions, unfortunately this movie put the overall problem of the plot second hand. The resolution was weak, predictable and felt rushed and cut off with the credits rolled.

Surely just another case where the book is better than the movie.