Mediocre At Best

Rating: 5/10 (27 November 2013)

Parents have complained since the dawn of creation that children grow up too quickly. The urchins in "Ender's Game," based on Orson Scott Card's allegorical but fascist 1985 science fiction novel, must grow up far more quickly if mankind hopes to survive a second cataclysmic intergalactic extraterrestrial invasion. The pugnacious aliens determined to destroy humanity are called Formics, and they resemble praying mantises. These predatory Formics constitute a far more perilous foe than any other that Earth has ever encountered. Launching a Pearl Harbor-style attack, these formidable bugs surprised Earthlings and nearly devastated us. Fortunately, one hero emerged to repulse the deadly invasion. Anxious about surviving a second assault, the military establishes a program to indoctrinate children in the art of warfare. It seems that kids are far better equipped to triumph over their adversaries than any adults. War has always been a young man's fight, while the elders supervise strategy safely behind the lines. The conceit of writer & director Gavin Hood's "Ender's Game" is that innocent adolescents stand a better chance of saving society than their elders. Since I haven't read Scott's popular bestsellers, I cannot say for sure what Hood left on the cutting room floor. Nevertheless, according to one fan that I chatted with the day I saw the film, Hood deleted a great deal, but none of the missing segments seriously disturbed her. Mind you, "Ender's Game" isn't the first movie where children have had to resort to violence. The three problems that I have with "Ender's Game" are the anticlimactic scripting, the lackluster villains, and the overabundance of simulation without a shred of suspense. Never for one moment in this 114-minute science fiction extravaganza did I feel that our heroes were in jeopardy. "Ender's Game" stars Harrison Ford, but he doesn't engage in any "Star Wars" heroics. He wears a uniform, a closely trimmed hair-cut, and growls his dialogue with convincing menace. He neither wields a weapon of any sort nor does his aide played Viola Davis. Aside from Ford and Davis, the cast consists of children from a rainbow of ethnic denominations. "Ender's Game" applauds multiculturalism but deplores the necessity to steal the innocence of youth.
Fifty years have elapsed since the warmongering Formics sought to destroy Earth. Had it not been for the intervention of legendary fighter pilot Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley of "Iron Man 3"), humanity would have disappeared from the galaxy. Apparently, Rackham died in combat when he committed suicide by crashing his fighter into a Formic battle cruiser. The destruction of that battle cruiser took the spirit out of the Formics and they retreated back to their home planet. As it turns out, the news of Rackham's demise was greatly exaggerated. Meantime, Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford of "Cowboys & Aliens") and his superiors suspect that the Formics will embark on another all-out effort to vanquish mankind. Since they feel youth is their best weapon against the Formics, they have set up military academies to train young leaders. Now, Graff is convinced that he has discovered the ideal strategist to take the fight to the Formics. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield of "Hugo") qualifies as a classic underdog. He is a ten-year old who doesn't fit in well with others. Nevertheless, Graff admires Ender's tenacity to pummel his opponents into submission without a qualm. The only thing that bothers Graff and military psychologist Major Gwen Anderson (Viola Davis of "The Help") is that Ender might have a latent streak of sadism. Earlier, the International Fleet had pinned their hopes on Ender's older brother Peter (Jimmy Jax Pinchak of "Let Me In"), but he turns out to be a sadist. Graff has Ender transferred to a training station orbiting the Earth and pits him against the best of the best who have proved their mettle in simulated warfare. Ender defeats each of them. Furthermore, Ender befriends surly Drill Sergeant Dap (Nonso Anozie of "Conan the Barbarian") who appears to have nothing but contempt for youngsters. Eventually, Ender learns Mazer Rackham didn't die, and Ender must prove himself to the legendary pilot. Mazer doesn't have Graff's faith in Ender, but Ender wins over Mazer. What bothers Ender is that Graff may be lying to him about each new battle simulation. Secretly, Ender isn't certain if he is playing a game or playing for real.
The first half of "Ender's Game" tops the second half. Initially, Hood dwells on our hero's confrontations with bullies at military academies. Indisputably, the filmmakers argue that bullying is as harmful for the bullies as it is for their victims. Ender relies on his agile wits to topple his tormentors who not only out-number him but also are far more cynical. Nothing about these fights is simulated. Vividly, Ender goes head-to-head with his enemies, while Hood aligns our sympathies with him. The raw violence that Hood orchestrates in these instances far surpasses the simulated, computer game quality of Ender's fights with the Formics. Top-notch adventure movies boast strong, intimidating villains. Watching "Ender's Game" reminded me of "Starship Troopers" where the Arachnids posed a genuine threat to mankind. Unfortunately, Hood depicts only one Formic in "Ender's Game," and this Formic is harmless. During the massive battles, we never see the Formics in their own battleships, only their ships. This shortage of Formics suggests that Hood didn't want to make them too antagonistic. Essentially, the Formics don't contain a shred of personality. You cannot abhor a villain who never appears either aggressive or hostile. Virtually all of the battles that Ender engages in with the Formics are presented from the perspective of a video gamer. Anybody who has read Orson Scott Card's novels knows the fight is far from over at fade-out. The last minute surprise will make you wonder whether we should have aligned our sympathies with our own species at the expense of another culture. Performances, especially those of the children, are compelling. Meanwhile, "Ender's Game" never quickened my pulse.