I wanted to be disappointed in this movie, I was disappointed

Rating: 8/10 (7 November 2013)

After seeing the trailers for Ender's Game, I knew that the movie was not going to follow the book. I just knew they were using the title and making up crap as they went along. I knew I was going to be disappointed in this movie. I am so glad I was disappointed in my expectations.
I liked this movie, yes it felt rushed, the only thing that appeared to let you know there was something else happening that we didn't really see was the Dragon Army's rise on the leader board. In the Book, Dragon Army was at the top and never dropped, in the movie we saw it raise to the top. I went and saw this movie with a friend that was also a fan of the Ender Series. She and I both came away with the same impression. This was a good movie. It left out a lot of things that could not have been included in a 2 hour movie. Especially the reason why Ender being a third was such a drastic influence. It barely touched on the relationship between Peter and Valentine and their relationship with Ender. Or why was it Valentine not his mother or father that went to the lake house. If there was one major disappointment in the whole film, it was the ending of the last battle. I did not feel any of the desperation, the total exhaustion that the book let me with. Like Battle School, the movie missed the lead up to the final battle. I can forgive the ending, it was artistic license so it was not as disappointing as it could have been (See the movie to see what I am talking about).
However the consensus between myself and my friend, Ender's Game was a good movie. Some of the scenes were stunning, some were a little flat, and some required some understanding that was not provided by the movie. My suggestion, see the movie, then read the books, the two must read books in the 16 book series, Ender's Game and Ender's Shadow. I really hope the Sequel will be Ender's Shadow, because like the books, Ender's Shadow will explain those parts that were left blank.
Long Live the Giant, though he must die in the end.