City of Ember (C+ or 2.5/4 stars)
'City of Ember', a sci-fi fantasy film directed by Gil Kenan, seems to be modeled after Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985) ... and that's never a bad thing. The premise: for generations, the people of the subterranean City of Ember have gotten by in an amazing world of glittering light bulbs. But when their powerful generator starts failing, it's up to 2 teenagers to search for the clues that will help their population escape before the lights dim forever. But how will they figure this out if they don't know the origin of their own existence? 'City of Ember' is less expansive than it really should be. It's also just a weird film. With exception of a few adventure scenes sprinkled throughout, this KIDS film could pass as a film for their parents.
The movie opens with a fascinating narration about how 200 yrs. ago, mankind was forced to live underground (as the planet & its inhabitants fell to ruin). Now in the present, the water supply pipelines are leaking, food storage is at an all-time low, & people are suffering. In other words, the City's infrastructure is dying. But Lina Mayfleet & Doon Harrow (Saoirse Ronan, of Atonement, & Harry Treadaway) do not want to see their people perish. And when Lina discovers an ancient box that holds the answers to their plight, both she & Harry embark on an incredible journey for survival. Along the way they must defy such dangers as the deceitful City Mayor (a miscast Bill Murray), and a gigantic mole creature.
There's a lot going for 'CoE'. Its protagonists are likeable. The set design is imaginative & intricate. The film moves very briskly. There's a fun water-ride like action sequence near the end. It's also nice to see the likes of Tim Robbins, Martin Landau, Toby Jones, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, & Mary Kay Place (though they're all terribly underused). The plot is highly original. And it's great that Lina's optimism transfers over into the actual storyline; as the films ends on a decidedly optimistic note. Side note: this is the 2nd time I've seen Saoirse Ronan inflect an American accent in a movie, & she succeeds brilliantly, both times.
But 'CoE' has its problems, too. For one, it's tonally all over the place (something kids probably won't notice). i.e., it's mysterious, then funny; it's quirky, then serious; it's aimed for kids, but then it's often too moody for them; it's slow-paced, then it's lightning fast. It's hard to categorize the film, to be perfectly honest. I also found that 'CoE' isn't quite as exciting nor as dramatically involving as it aims to be. I acknowledge its strengths, but I was never consistently riveted. One last thing I didn't care for? Poppy, Lina's little sister ... most annoying character ever. Overall, however, 'City of Ember' is satisfying enough. It's different than anything else out there. And it's very intriguing to see how people would have to adapt if our own society were to crumble from overuse, age, & corruption.
The movie opens with a fascinating narration about how 200 yrs. ago, mankind was forced to live underground (as the planet & its inhabitants fell to ruin). Now in the present, the water supply pipelines are leaking, food storage is at an all-time low, & people are suffering. In other words, the City's infrastructure is dying. But Lina Mayfleet & Doon Harrow (Saoirse Ronan, of Atonement, & Harry Treadaway) do not want to see their people perish. And when Lina discovers an ancient box that holds the answers to their plight, both she & Harry embark on an incredible journey for survival. Along the way they must defy such dangers as the deceitful City Mayor (a miscast Bill Murray), and a gigantic mole creature.
There's a lot going for 'CoE'. Its protagonists are likeable. The set design is imaginative & intricate. The film moves very briskly. There's a fun water-ride like action sequence near the end. It's also nice to see the likes of Tim Robbins, Martin Landau, Toby Jones, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, & Mary Kay Place (though they're all terribly underused). The plot is highly original. And it's great that Lina's optimism transfers over into the actual storyline; as the films ends on a decidedly optimistic note. Side note: this is the 2nd time I've seen Saoirse Ronan inflect an American accent in a movie, & she succeeds brilliantly, both times.
But 'CoE' has its problems, too. For one, it's tonally all over the place (something kids probably won't notice). i.e., it's mysterious, then funny; it's quirky, then serious; it's aimed for kids, but then it's often too moody for them; it's slow-paced, then it's lightning fast. It's hard to categorize the film, to be perfectly honest. I also found that 'CoE' isn't quite as exciting nor as dramatically involving as it aims to be. I acknowledge its strengths, but I was never consistently riveted. One last thing I didn't care for? Poppy, Lina's little sister ... most annoying character ever. Overall, however, 'City of Ember' is satisfying enough. It's different than anything else out there. And it's very intriguing to see how people would have to adapt if our own society were to crumble from overuse, age, & corruption.