Science fiction meets coming-of-age meets highly ethical questions. Sound like Star Wars? Well, in the book world, it might as well be.
Ender's Game, the highly anticipated adaptation of the novel of the same name, is an exciting sci-fi thrill ride, boasted by galactic special effects and fascinating moral quandaries. It features a well-cast ensemble of characters that wonderfully touch every point on the ethical spectrum.
Asa Butterfield, the successful young actor behind Hugo and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, plays Ender Wiggin, a "third" who is training to be in the elite children's military. He has great potential, with the intelligence and strength to match even the most respected officers. However, he is psychologically tormented by the mistakes of his older brother, and the pressure of saving the human race.
In the world of Ender's Game, Earth was attacked by an alien invasion, which nearly decimated the population, and only stopped because of the sacrifice of one brave soldier. Now, as Earth's last line of defense, the people have placed their faith in the children, who's future actions hold the key to humanity's survival. Ender is one of those special progenies, and is selected to join the competitive Battle School. There, he faces not only his fellow classmates, but is own personal demons.
Harrison Ford finally returns to sci-fi as Colonel Graff, the commander of the Battle School who has the ultimate confidence in Ender's potential. Viola Davis beautifully plays his counterpart, Major Anderson, who is a little more conscious of Ender's troubles. Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, and Moises Arias round out the cast as Ender's classmates and family.
The visual effects allow the viewer to delve deeply into the story line, immersing them in this rich and colorful universe. The costumes and sets are well made, and there is a haunting and foreboding familiarity to the whole space stations. The infamous Battle Room is perfectly articulated and designed, and the action in there does not seem choreographed or fake. Ender's world is a really cool place to play.
As I have stated numerous times before, my personal belief is that a movie should be judged on it's own merits, and not on the book for which it is based on. They are two completely different entities, and should be critiqued as thus. For future reference, this will be my final comparison of book-to-screen on this website.
Ender's Game follows the novel rather well, with only a few obvious removals and changes. The book focuses more on the relationship between Ender and his siblings, but this would detract from the film's values and point of view. A lot of the story is condensed, but the necessary portions are kept intact.
The film is also famous for it's curious moral dilemmas: should children be under so much pressure to save Earth? Is Col. Graff pushing Ender too far? Will Ender be forever damaged by his training? There are some very interesting ethical issues presented in the movie, sure to inspire discussion for hours after watching.
Ender's Game remains supremely exciting throughout, never slowing down or reaching a standstill. The actors are in top form, and the action scenes are loads of fun. Science fiction is the stuff of dreams: they allow us to create new worlds, and question the very issues that plague us today. It's a genre that really benefits when seen on the big screen, and Ender's Game is a welcome inclusion to that group.
Four and a half out of five stars.
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