City of Ember

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DVD details

Actor: Saoirse Ronan, Tim Robbins
Brand: TCFHE
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2009-01-20
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox

DVD Reviews of City of Ember

DVD Review: A Great Unexpected Treat
Summary: 4 Stars

The first time i watched 'City of Ember' I was flipping through the channels on the TV. Funny as when scrolling threw the digital guide, it's the title that catches your attention. City of Ember sounded familiar, but I certainly had never watched it. I turned it on, and was quickly taken in. I was able to start right at the beginning, which was lucky for me because if it looked good but wasn't at the beginning, I will not watch it until I get to see it in full from the start.

The premise of the movie is somewhat refreshing and original, witch doesn't happen to land itself on a specific age group. Young or old, this movie will be enjoyed. There is nothing too raunchy for kids or too stupid and goofy for adults. Set in 2416 A.D. of a post disaster future of Earth, a girl named Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan-THE LOVELY BONES) finds a box with the numbers '000' on it that she is able to connect with a mystery of extreme importance about the future of her town, and civilization, Ember. She enlists her friend, Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway) unraveling a secret about Ember that will save everyones lives as well as bring past events to justice. An honorable mention needs to go to actor Bill Murray-(GHOSTBUSTERS/LOST IN TRANSLATION) who plays Major Cole of Ember. His comedy styling blends tremendously well with his more serious nature which he has depicted in recent years.

The styling and creative direction the film takes is done with great detail and imagination. Everything looks and feels old, used over and over. Imagine 'Blast from the Past' without the 90s. The energy of the film only grows and rarely skips a beat. As a person of 24yrs old, I rarely can become interested in a movie with kids as leads, but if the acting is there, I'm good. I would also like to point out how well done the food element of this was done. I was able to really grasp how important food was through the great cinematography and the graphic design of the labels.

City of Ember deserves better recognition and is a must watch. Even if you don't love it, you are guaranteed to accept it as a good movie. The only reason I do not give City of Ember 5 stars is because I only give 5 stars to the great pieces of cinema and film. City of Ember thought has some solids legs for growth in popularity if given the chance, and also could go a few more rounds with sequels-which would be very easy to accomplish.

DVD Review: FOR THE KIDS
Summary: 3 Stars

The story was a bit complex for younger kids, and the premise was a too stupid for older ones. Seems like it would be a good story for tweens, whose parents want them to be free thinkers. The message I got, and perhaps the kids would not see, is that the authorities (church and state) are basically liars who do things on tradition. The kids drew their occupations out of a hat, giving a new twist to the phrase, "Living for the City." The beginning moves slow. The adult acting was graet while the child acting left something to be desired. Oh it wasn't Daniel Radcliffe bad, but they were no Dakota Fanning either.

DVD Review: The Builders would have made this movie longer
Summary: 4 Stars

This film was a quirky delight for me, precisely because of the statement of another reviewer: the kids are not weird, foul-mouthed or silly. In fact, the kids make this story, a rare thing these days.

Before I begin, I'll just observe that every post-apocalyptic story in film--EVERY ONE--has the survivors living in a communist lifestyle. Ever notice that? From the little-known sci-fi horror film IN THE YEAR 2889 (1967) to THE POSTMAN (1997) to THE BOOK OF ELI (2010)--all communistic. I think the only exception was Bartertown in MAD MAX: BEYOND THUNDERDOME, where they were all villains. Because they weren't commies!

All that off my chest, CITY OF EMBER is charming, as I said, thanks to the young protagonists Lina Mayfleet (an incredibly addicting Saoirse Ronan) and her rather sexy male companion Doon Harrow (the virtually unknown English kid actor Harry Treadaway, somewhat grown here).

Thanks to the Builders from 200 years earlier, these people of Ember City have survived what I can only surmise was a nuclear war or something, easier for us to identify with now than when this film was first released. A city below ground was made, and two centuries' worth of generations have prospered well and happy.

With them was the Box, carrying instructions on how to get back to the surface when it was safe. The Builders figured 200 years ought to do it, so when the time arrives, naturally the Box is at the bottom of someone's closet. In fact, it is Lina's grandmother (the immortal Liz Smith) who was last in possession of the box, which had been handed from mayor to mayor. Granny's grandfather was the last mayor to have the box. His sudden death put the box into civvie hands where it didn't belong.

Lucky for humanity: Lina and Doon together discover the secret of the Box, the city's destiny and their own. The city is crumbling, and in fact almost ready to fail. The Builders designed it that way, and it was in fact meant to self-destruct once the people had all left. I was thrilled to watch this story unfold, to learn the animals above had grown to massive size (or the humans shrunk horribly, I can't tell). The kids decide they will make the attempt to see the "forbidden outer zone" which is in fact part of the cave in which they live, the part that leads out.

Bill Murray is hilarious, goofy and ultimately sinister as the mayor; he has some great help with a cast including Tim Robbins as Doon's father, Mary Kay Place, Toby Jones, Mackenzie Crook and several others you'll recognize from the English screen. FUN!

One complaint I have is that this film is so darned short. At a realistic 84 minutes (officially that's 90) it seemed to have suddenly been cut short. Didn't another reviewer say something about a budget conflict? Conflict, phooey. This film got ripped off by the producers. It should have been a good two hours and as riveting as any HARRY POTTER. Instead, it sort of goes off the deep end and suddenly it's over...leaving the viewer wanting more Doon and Lina.

I recommend this film (maybe the kids won't notice the commie subplot). It's fun, fairly wholesome and I know...it reminded me of many of Roald Dahl's stories. It was written by a Jeanne Duprau--perhaps a cousin of Roald's?

I took away one star for that careless and quick ending.

DVD Review: City of Ember DVD
Summary: 4 Stars

My Grandson had read the book and had asked me to look for the DVD. Luckily I found it on Amazon.
He was tickled that I bought it. We watched it together and it was pretty good. Than he took it home so he could watch it with his Mom & Dad.

DVD Review: Amazing cast, stellar set design, fun story
Summary: 4 Stars

When a film boasts a cast list comprised of some of the most talented Hollywood actors in Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Martin Landau, and Toby Jones, not to mention newcomer and extraordinary talent Saoirse Ronan, it will most likely go one of two ways: Either the film deserves such a fine cast and will be a great film (take 'The Departed' (2006) for example) . . . or the cast is set in a subpar piece to make up for the film's lesser elements (like 'Valentine's Day' (2010)). Luckily, 'City of Ember' falls in closer with the former instead of the latter.

The film, adapted from the novel by Jeanne Duprau, tells the story of a small city named Ember that, over two hundred years prior, was locked away by the city's founding builders. The city is run solely on the power of its massive generator that lies beneath like a beating heart. However, the old generator is slowly falling apart, casting the city into short periods of darkness. Doon Harrow (Harry Treadway), a young boy recently assigned to work on the pipes of the city, is convinced that only he can fix the generator and help the city. During his explorations of the piping systems, he finds a mysterious room that is unmarked on his maps. With the help of Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan), the two teens discover the secrets of Ember and the answers that may help save the townspeople from eternal darkness.

When 'City of Ember' was released into theatres, it seemed to have gone by the attention of most people without much notice. With a production budget of over $50 million, the film only raked in about $8 million domestically. But, why was this film such a tremendous bomb? From the looks of it, it had little to do with the film's quality. It has a very solid cast behind it, the story is entertaining, kids movies at this level typically do well, and the trailers made it look to be very beautiful (which it was). It would seem, then, that the film was simply just undermarketed. Very little attention was given by the marketing team for this one and that's what killed it.

Had 'City of Ember' been given a proper marketing campaign, it could've been very successful. The film is really quite good. The acting, as expected, is fantastic. The cast of legends like Bill Murray & Martin Landau were fantastically chosen; and, the 'Lovely Bones' star Saoirse Ronan is quickly becoming one of the best actors of her age group, not to mention a definite for a few Oscars in her lifetime. The story is very entertaining, even if it isn't the most original or mysterious. The set design, however, is really what sets the film apart. Ember is built into a fantastic and beautiful city, from the underground and above. One issue that many seem to have deals with the CGI effects in the film, especially some of the scenes towards the end. While some of the CGI is spotty, it's hardly distracting enough to remove from the overall beauty of the film and no one should allow such small issues to detract wholly from an overall good film.

While book purists appear not to love the film for the oversimplification of the adaptation, those who have not read Duprau's novel should have a good time with it.

Final Verdict: 8/10.

-AP3-

Description of City of Ember

FOR GENERATIONS, THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY OF EMBER HAVE FLOURISHED IN AN AMAZING WORLD OF GLITTERING LIGHTS. BUT EMBER'S ONCE POWERFUL GENERATOR IS FAILING ... AND THE GREAT LAMPS THAT ILLUMINATE THE CITY ARE STARTING TO FLICKER.

Light bulbs speckle the sky instead of stars in City of Ember, a fantasy in which a secret city has been built to preserve mankind from worldwide disaster. But over time, the purpose of the city is lost--and the city gradually decays. As power failures threaten to bring on the collapse of everything, young messenger Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan, Atonement) discovers damaged instructions for leaving the city. Her friend, pipeworker Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway, Brothers of the Head), helps her find the hidden mechanisms that will let everyone escape...but the city's corrupt Mayor (Bill Murray) is more interested in personal gain and tries to stop Lina. City of Ember begins marvelously; the story unfolds smoothly, the production design is rich and engaging, the young leads are charming (Ronan is particularly good), and Murray is as superb as ever. Unfortunately, the movie starts to stumble; some plot turns are baffling (there seems to be some connective tissue left on the cutting room floor) and what should be an action climax flounders with subpar special effects. But even when the movie loses its sure-footedness, there are delightful moments and visual wonders. The strong supporting cast includes Tim Robbins, Mary Kay Place (Sweet Home Alabama), Mackenzie Crook (The Office), Toby Jones (Infamous), and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies). --Bret Fetzer

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