Movies With Mom: Ender’s Game
By Lauren Hodges
Guest Reviewer
This movie took me by surprise. No one in our family had read the books and I had no idea of what to expect when I settled in to the dark theatre with the previews already rolling. I then proceeded to spend the next 114 minutes invested and intrigued by what appeared to be a sci-fi-Rorschach-test-melo-action-drama set in a time when chivalry is more alive than today. Children anywhere from 10 years on up will appreciate what this movie has to offer and take away something from it for themselves.
Based on a book written in the early 80’s, the film “Ender’s Game” (rated PG-13) revolves as much around the quality of life as the ability to keep on living. Set in a future where the Earth had been attacked by an alien species called the Formics, humans have spent the last 50 years since the attack planning one of their own in order to save Earth from the Formics once and for all. To do this they need to find a brilliant mind that can lead the battle in outer space against these aliens.
Enter Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a young teen whose genius is masked on Earth by his awkwardness. The Military takes note of Ender’s outstanding test scores and strategies and promotes him through a series of core training sessions where he gains battle experience and makes friends upon his peers for the first time. Led by Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford), the Military becomes set on training Ender for battle with humanity’s hero, Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley) even though other officials such as Major Gwen Anderson (Viola Davis) see the value in retaining Ender’s childhood and a semblance of innocence.
Amidst fast action scenes that resemble the very best in spacecraft combat, the inner workings of this movie are what I found remarkable. Throughout the film, the layers of what makes Ender a strong leader and so fiercely observant are revealed in a way that shows good examples for all of us to consider in our own chapters in life. Respect and compassion are traits just as important in life as muscle and bravery. A memorable supporting cast rounds out this futuristic lesson in humanity – one worth the price of admission even if just to witness a touch of positive profoundness on the big screen that leaves you hopeful for what can be. Surprise.
Four stars out of five.