An almost amazing sci-fi epic

Rating: 8/10 (6 November 2013)

First let me say I loved Ender's Game. I have never read the books, and I don't give a lick about the author's sexual opinions. It bares no weight on a film. Ender's Game was a clean, fun, non-stop action ride that was well acted, well written and the perfect potential beginning to another franchise. There are a few mis-steps to the film but considering how long the movie spent in production it was very good. The pacing for the film in the beginning is a little slow and the entire movie focuses on the young recruits training but it works and I was never bored. Each character is well introduced and most importantly we become completely riveted and enthralled with the character of Ender. The film reminded me so much of Star Wars and I mean that in a good way. It is a squeaky clean movie that young people who love science fiction can absolutely revel in and there isn't anything wrong with that. Die hard adult sci-fi fans might find it a little too simple but it really is just an enjoy time at the movies. The special effects were absolutely solid and nothing looked silly. There were a few times when some of the dialogue felt just a little bit cheesy but nothing that drags the movie down for a moment.
The amazing young actor Asa Butterfield is perfect for the character of Ender. He floored me in the film Hugo and now he proves he can be a mainstream action hero with this film. He seems so unassuming and yet he commands the screen when he's on it which makes him perfect for the role. Abigail Breslin is probably one of the biggest hiccups to the supporting cast. I don't dislike Breslin but this role was just cheesy and she spends more time squeezing out fake tears and delivering a really campy role that it drags down her co-stars. Hailee Steinfeld (another young actor I have great respect for) is quite good in her role. The unfortunate part is that its a very small role so she doesn't really get to demonstrate her ability but she is good with what she is given and the chemistry between her and Butterfield is very good but left unexplored. Moises Arias was also very good in his role as Ender's trainer and superior. Arias looks sort of campy but he actually made the role work and was good in it. I am quite surprised that a lot of IMDb reviewers are saying Harrison Ford was disappointing. I am a huge Ford fan and I thought he was terrific. This was his best role in a very long time. Yes, he is a little monotone but isn't that the point? He's a respected and driven Colonel who sees nothing more than the end game battle against this species. I think there was more to explore to his character but I thought Ford was fantastic and the chemistry between him and Butterfield was near perfect. On the flip side I thought Viola Davis (a brilliant actor) was sort of ho-hum in this and I would have liked to have seen more interaction between her and Ford. She was still good in the film. And Ben Kingsley (I didn't even realize he was in the film until he showed up) was decent as the legendary Mazer Rackham. Once again, I think there was more to this character to explore but Kingsley did pretty well and seeing him and Ford together on screen was a cinematic treat.
Maybe the biggest issue I had with Ender's Game is not an issue at all. I think I just felt like I wanted to see more, I wanted more of it and more characters and more background and I didn't want it to end. But that isn't a problem is it? That's actually a testament to how well the film came together. Ironically director and screenplay writer Gavin Hood comes from a whole lot of B-Movie straight to DVD schlock but thank goodness for him he proved himself with this that he can handle a big budget. However, it might also be the reason every once in awhile during the movie I thought I saw a little sprout of camp popping up. However, it never takes away from the film. Do yourself a favour sci-fi fans and give this a chance so that we can get another instalment. It is worth seeing in the theatre and bravo to them for not wasting the time on 3D because it is visually spectacular on its own and a solid movie to boot. 8.5/10