City of Ember
December 19th 2008 22:42
Faced with the threat of the lights going out forever as well as dwindling food supplies, Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway) are determined to find a way out of the city.
The plot unfolded seamlessly within the crumbling underground city – impressive even in its dilapidated state. The clever mechanical contraptions, big and small, were a pleasure to watch.
But perhaps I have been spoiled by other movies which have more fantastic devices and exciting action sequences that I would say City of Ember was a good movie and not an excellent one. The main reason I’m giving my two cents on this film is because of the acting.
Saoirse Ronan and Harry Treadaway were a boon to the movie with their naturally engaging performances. Tim Robbins as Doon’s father and Bill Murray as the pompous, insidious mayor provided the big names and solid support for this film. In fact, all the actors should be commended. My favourites though, were the absolutely adorable little girls who played Lina’s sister, Poppy (Amy and Catherine Quinn). I’d never seen anyone grin quite so gleefully when others in the same predicament had frightened expressions plastered on their faces.
The film is rated G (for General Exhibition) but I would not recommend taking small children to see it. The rampaging creature in the Pipeworks will definitely scare them.
City of Ember is based on the 2003 novel The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau.
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Comment by Paul
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Comment by The Rusty Can
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Rusty
Comment by Chris Champion
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I was looking for something suitable to take my nine-year-old to, and saw this playing locally. I looked up a couple of reviews, and they were scathing. But with limited choice, with a healthy distrust of reviews, and with the perverse thought that I have never seen Tim Robbins in a really bad film, off we went two days ago to watch it.
All I can say is, your review is correct and I now have even more reason to distrust newspapers reviewers.
As you say, Bill Murray was great, as were all the kids. The special effects may not have equalled films with massive budgets but, again as you say, the scenes were compelling.
My daughter and I both enjoyed it, and I'm sticking with your reviews in future
Chris
Comment by The Rusty Can
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Glad you and your daughter enjoyed the movie too.
And thankyou so much for your kind words
Have a good one,
Rusty.