The latest Hollywood take on a bestselling book arrives in the form of Gavin Hood’s adaptation of Orson Scott Card’s award-winning science-fiction novel, Ender’s Game, in which the author himself was involved as a co-producer. The 80s space opera classic, known for its thought-provoking story delving into heady philosophical issues is here presented as a two-hour adrenaline-rush.
It’s set in a future Earth, 50 years after insect-like space invaders, the Formics, attacked our planet, killing millions. Some humans survived, though, and set out to prepare for battle should they be threatened again. The global international military is tasked with a mission to find the right commander for the world’s troops. As they are deemed better at processing information and making decisions, bright children are recruited to the program, where they are taught, trained and examined for superior instincts, intelligence and leadership. Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford), head of the program, spots young boy Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), whom he believes to have unparalleled qualities, and keeps track of the boy. Test after test, Ender’s brilliance continues to outshine everyone else. The colonel, despite being warned about Ender’s violent tendencies, eventually recruits him to the space military camp where the boy is put through his paces in a space battle with other talented kids. So begins Ender’s quick ascent up the army ranks.
You can’t help but get excited by the spectacular CG-heavy shots of space battles. And it’s not all brainless bluster, as it’s the boy’s clever combat strategies and tactics that make the difference in this action-packed story. Young Butterfield shines in his role, convincingly portraying both Ender’s depth and vulnerability. Old-hand Harrison Ford is strong, too. It’s just a shame that the other characters are so under-developed. This action-first policy is largely a result of trying to squeeze the events of six years in the novel into just a year in the film. But as much as we are thrilled and captivated by the boy hero’s ingenuity, we can’t help but think the film could really benefit from more emotional depth.
Ender’s Game is certainly an enjoyable watch. But despite the novel’s philosophical nature, the film is light on meaning, though it makes a quick u-turn near the end that seems a little at odds with the shoot-‘em-up fun beforehand. In the end, it turns an engaging, thought-provoking story into an explosive and above-average blockbuster.
