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CITY OF EMBER (Running Time: 95 min; Rated: PG)
Reviewed by Denise Castillón

DOWNER “CITY OF EMBER” FAILS TO SPARKLE

The downfall of this film adaptation of “City of Ember”, from the teen fiction series, “The Book of Ember”, is that presuming the books’ built-in young adult fan base, the filmmakers ineffectively attempt to attract the “grown-up” audience.

As a “Di Vinci Code” for teens, this best-selling book engrossed its readers with its dynamic characters and compelling plot as well as clues and messages to decipher. With the films lesser emphasis on inquisitive mystery and breathtaking action-adventure, what is left to rise to the surface is the plot’s gloomy science fiction theme.

While our current gloomy economic environment deadens adult’s taste for dark cinematic styling, appealing to the “kid” inside all of us, with optimistic hopefulness, never goes out of favor.

The Builders created the underground city, Ember, and then, populated the metropolis with babies who “must grow up with no knowledge of the outside, so that they would feel no sorrow for what they have lost”. The Builders left behind secret instructions encased in a special lock box set to open in 200 years. Their plan was for the box to be passed down the city’s succession of mayors, until the time in which its contents could be revealed to its replenished population.

Centuries have passed for the inhabitants of Ember. The precious box has been long lost and forgotten. The aging generator providing the city’s electrical lighting and power has frequent breakdowns causing wide-spread blackouts. The once abundant storerooms that supply all the food and necessities are becoming bare. The citizen’s of Ember are growing increasingly anxious.

Young Lina (SAOIRSE RONAN), a fast-footed messenger, finds the unlocked container and its “instructions”, but, with missing words making its message impossible to read. She enlists the help of her friend, Doon (HARRY TREADAWAY), a pipe worker dedicated to saving the city’s ailing generator. Together, they reconstruct the instructions, which lead them on an exciting journey of discovery.

Starring, along with Saoirse Ronan (“Atonement”) and Harry Treadaway (“Control”), are
Bill Murray, Marianne Jean-Bapiste (“Secrets & Lies”), Toby Jones (“Infamous”) as well as Tim Robbins and Martin Landau.


The screenplay was based on “City of Ember”, the first novel from “The Books of Ember” Teen Fiction Series by Jeanne DuPrau, and was written by Caroline Thompson. Directed by Oscar-nominee Gil Kenan (“Monster House”), produced by Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman, (Playtone Productions). Released by Fox/Walden.