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City of Ember (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

Gil Kenan, Bill Murray, Tim Robbins | Theatrical release: 2008 | Rating: PG (MPAA)
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Movie synopsis
Jeanne DuPrau's first novel in the Book of Ember series brightens the screen in this fantasy from Gil Kenan (MONSTER HOUSE). The City of Ember is in danger of its beautiful lights going out, and a pair of teenagers embarks on a journey to save the town from darkness. CITY OF EMBER stars Bill Murray and Tim Robbins., The lights are going out in the City of Ember, a time-limited underground haven created some 200 years ago by the higher-ups of humanity in a world on the brink of disaster. Meanwhile, many of its literally and figuratively in-the-dark citizens don't suspect a thing. The only wise ones are two plucky teenagers (Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway) who are devoted to finding--with or without the help of the cagey Mayor Cole (Bill Murray)--the exit from Ember. Screenwriting credit for CITY OF EMBER, a refreshing fantasy film based on the first novel in author Jeanne DuPrau's sci-fi/adventure series for young adults, belongs to none other than Caroline Thompson. She's a silver screen veteran of family-friendly otherworldliness who's collaborated on many of Tim Burton's most definitive projects, and indeed she's brought to this live-action sophomore effort from enthusiastic movie-geek director Gil Kenan (MONSTER HOUSE) a miniaturist sensibility reminiscent of the condensed and simply plotted eccentricity of CORPSE BRIDE and A NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. In stark contrast to some of the more epically turgid fantasy films released in the wake of Harry Potter's first outing, EMBER harks back to the modestly scaled ethos of cinematic spectacle typically embodied by the whimsical adventure movies made for children in the 1980s. When the film's farfetched premise meets its unadorned storytelling to unfold in a neatly contained, nearly real-time episode, it renders the image of ordinary children traversing an architectural phantasmagoria with the kind of paradoxical patina of fluffy-yet-provocative fantasy that can stimulate the imaginations of both kids and adults. The movie's neon-filamented aesthetic, a post-apocalyptic pastiche of industrialization, is sometimes evocative of German expressionism. Still, including cinematographer Xavier Perez Grobiet's kinetic tracking shots, Kenan's film is not without its 21st-century elements.

Product Details
  • Edition: Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Rating: PG (MPAA)
  • Film Country: USA
  • UPC: 024543563396

Additional Details
Genre:Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Format:DVD
Region:Region 1
Display Format:Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen

Director:Gil Kenan
Leading Role:Bill Murray, Tim Robbins
eBay Product ID: EPID71807954

Editorial reviews

"[T]he elusive Bill Murray pops up, playing the pot-bellied mayor of a dying underground city. He's fun, and the movie, slathered with grimy color, looks striking."
Entertainment Weekly - Gregory Kirschling (10/24/2008)

"CITY OF EMBER, based on a popular children's book, has some strong fantasy moments and makes a gentle statement about corruption and blind faith....CITY OF EMBER provides audiences with a thought-provoking and family-friendly adventure."
USA Today - Claudia Puig (10/10/2008)

3 stars out of 5 -- "Saoirse Ronan makes a plucky tomboy heroine..."
Total Film - Matt Mueller (12/01/2008)

3 stars out of 5 -- "Ember is a dank urban jungle of crumbling redbricks, rusting lampposts and bleeding pipes, the kind of fantasy-sci-fi-retro world realised by Gilliam or Jeunet and Caro....CITY OF EMBER is full of sprightly visual thrills, and packed with delightful details..."
Empire - Dan Jolin (12/01/2008)

Reviews & Research

Customer Reviews

Average review score based on 24 user reviews

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Rating distributions

Created: 05/31/10

Five Stars!

Review For: City of Ember (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

This is an exciting, unusual science fiction film that the whole family can enjoy. Although the two main characters are teenagers, adults can enjoy it too as there is nothing childish about their harrowing quest to save the mostly selfish and/or apathetic inhabitants of an underground city from certain death when the generator fails and the lights go out. Harry Potter fans should like it, as the kids are brave and determined. But as in the Harry Potter films, some parts may frighten very young children, and some characters die. This would be an excellent film to show in school, as there is no sex, no profanity, no nudity, and there are many topics for discussion, such as the corrupt government, the suffering of the poorer people, the socialist assignment of jobs without regard to the employee's talents or preference, and the ability of the average citizens to remain oblivious even as their city crumbles around them. It's a fabulous socio-political allegory, but it's also a thrilling adventure movie. My fourteen-year-old son and I both give it five stars.

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Created: 04/05/09

Loaded with Surprises, amazing movie and acting!

Review For: City of Ember (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

This underground city was really falling apart when we catch up to them. This edge-of-your-seat adventure never ceases to surprise and amaze you and reminds us all that progress only comes out of massive failure.

Martin Landau of Space 1999 was excellent in this film and I'm glad to still see him in great roles. I have to hand it to Tom Hanks for having the vision to make such a dramatic and spectacular film.

Although this movie was rated PG, there were plenty of scary moments and creatures to keep a young child jumping under the covers, but the family as a whole could watch this safely.

This movie teaches that working together is important, but that sometimes, taking chances and being courageous are important.

Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, and Saoirse Ronan were great in their roles

A must see and a must keeper. 5 stars ***** 5/5

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER REVIEWS ON OTHER LATEST MOVIES.
IF YOU CAN PLEASE TELL WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT MY REVIEWS BY VOTING, THANKS.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful? Yes | No

Created: 08/10/09

Fun adventure for everyone!

Review For: City of Ember (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

I thought this fantasy film was very enjoyable, and having seen it more than once I decided to finally purchase it. It's basically about a small secret town built underground called City of Ember where everything seems perfect until the power starts going out and strange things start to happen. It's up to two good friends to try and find an outing before it's too late. Bill Murray (whom I adore) plays the mysterious Mayor of the city who also does a terrific acting job in his role. Packed with action and adventure, also some humor, this movie is perfect! Although because this one has some scary content, young children should be accompanied by an older crowd (or parent). You should buy it, it's worth it!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful? Yes | No

Created: 07/07/09

City of Ember (DVD)

Review For: City of Ember (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

Apparently it is based on a novel (or series of books).

Basically, 200+ years ago, the world was on the brink of destruction, and in a last ditch attempt to save a few, the people known as 'The Builders' created an underground haven for a group of people to survive. This place, the size of a town, is maintained by 'The Generator'. However, power is going of increasingly often, and whispers say that 'The Generator', which has sustained them for decades, is finally failing....

It is up to a couple of teenagers to find what 'The Builders' left for the people underground, and save themselves, their friends, and the whole community before they're plunged into endless darkness.

It was an enjoyable movie, and I'm interested a bit, in reading the book(s).

1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was this review helpful? Yes | No

Created: 08/08/10

A nice clean adventure movie for the whole family!

Review For: City of Ember (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

There's no blood or gore in this movie and no cursing, so it's perfect (in my opinion) for family viewing. The special effects aren't state of the art, but they're not frequent enough to detract any from the movie. Bill Murray perfectly portrays a fat, greedy mayor. You'll also want to see this if you're a fan of Saoirse Ronan, since she gets plenty of screen time.

The city itself has an interesting history about it that leaves you wanting to know more. As for myself I would love to play a video game (preferably an RPG) in the setting.

The movie may leave the action and drama fans in your family a little bored at times, but adventure fans will definitely enjoy it.

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