Well realised, and enjoyable

Rating: 9/10 (1 November 2013)

Following a war with insect-like aliens called Formics, won only narrowly, a training programme is instituted whereby young people are hothoused for military command in order to bring on tactical abilities at an age when minds are most agile. Ender Wiggin is a promising trainee, and the film follows him from boot camp into battle school.
I have not read the book, but this hard sci-fi movie was very well made and enjoyable to watch, and provided some food for thought. Much of the story appears inspired by Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers - a war against insect-like aliens and following a recruit through training are common - but the course of Ender's training and the philosophical issues are quite different.
The performances are all good - Asa Butterfield continues to impress, with a performance of depth and emotion. Harrison Ford, having phoned in performances for a considerable number of years, shows some commitment here. And Moises Arias as venomous fellow trainee Bonzo Madrid is excellent (in fact, all the young actors are good). The effects, both physical and CGI, are excellent.
I thoroughly enjoyed this - it is my sort of science fiction.