Ender's Game

Engaging and fresh sci-fi. At first glance, Ender's Game seems like it will be a typical blockbuster for kids, but it's a very smart movie to go to the cinema at 13, so I know nothing of it. Asa Butterfield is probably the best actor of his generation and I hope he wins some Oscars one day because he does a decent job here. The visual effects are decent, the acting is wonderful, the final twist is solid and the entertainment is guaranteed throughout. I can't complain about anything. 80%. (25/01/2014)

They filmed it right. It could have been done a tad better - more desolate, but even so it’s a breath of fresh air among the sci-fi fantasies of recent times. The spirit of Card’s book was maintained, meaning some truncation and slight speeding up, but this helps the story. Hood is clearly a fan and does his very best. Visually, Ender’s Game glitters like an A-movie blockbuster, but the plot is more profound than theater audiences are used to and a lot of them will leave the theater feeling they’ve been robbed. They won’t understand the ingenious ending or they won’t like it. Perfect build-up in battles, not a boring movie and gallons of emotion can be squeezed out of the graduation. The casting is marvelous, especially the kids and Asa Butterfield has no problem selling her character to the viewer. Maybe they should have chosen a bigger fanatic than Ford. Jablonsky again serves up marvelous themes. I wonder if he record furniture. (06/11/2013)

I had been avoiding Ender's Game for years, knowing it was a pure young adult film. I finally gave it a chance, and I wasn't far off in my assumption. It is young adult, but it's also so intense at times that even I found some moments hard to watch. The strength of the story lies in how the young protagonists are treated as adults. The supposed game blurs with reality, all wrapped in the defense of Earth against an impending alien attack. I struggled to reconcile the youthful faces with their mature dialogue. But the finale completely floored me and ultimately made me add that fourth star. This film made me realize when boys become men, and it's not a pleasant realization. (30/01/2023)

It's been quite a while since I've seen a good, classic sci-fi that I really enjoyed. I did enjoy this, but the whole time I kept thinking how great the book must be. The ending wouldn't have been as bad there. However, they decided to make a film that is powerful, emotive, with interesting characters and strong moments, but also has weaknesses, where especially the zero-gravity training seems somewhat silly and the audience doesn't really understand what it's all about. Despite its relatively high budget, the film might come across as overly intimate. Nevertheless, something is always happening. (17/03/2014)

Smart and intelligent sci-fi, thematically quite original and rather dark. Occasionally it reminded me of some non-action passages from Minority Report with its gloominess and detachment. But it is extremely unfriendly towards the audience. Some will admire this film, while the majority will see it once and give a nod of agreement. It is not pleasant sci-fi, it is a probe into the mind of a killer. Excellent psychology, rather iconic action. (02/11/2013)