I’ll never forget reading Ender’s Game in the ninth grade and realizing that, probably, like Ender, all of my own awkwardness could be solved by getting selected for battle school where I would learn that my problem the whole time was that I was just smarter and more tactical and generally awesomer than everyone else and once they put me in charge I would become a war hero and have lots of friends. Probably.
I really, really loved that book. Not as much the sequels, though I did like the companion novel that came out focusing on Bean. But I really never expected there to be a movie. The author himself often said it couldn’t be made into a movie because the whole thing basically takes place inside Ender’s head. Also, most of the characters are kids, which presents a unique challenge in movie making, and the kids age, in Ender’s case ten years over the course of the book.
Well, director and screen writer Gavin Hood manages it. He manages it all, beautifully. Ender’s Game is an enjoyable film and a masterful adaptation.
There are some big cuts to the storyline, of course, notably most of what happens back on Earth concerning Ender’s siblings Peter and Valentine. Petra’s role is increased and her frailty minimized, and the whole thing has been condensed in time. But all of those decisions really end up enhancing the story on the screen.
The casting and acting is great, the battle scenes are impressive, the futurism of the world is creative without being distracting. The ending felt a bit rushed and seemed like it might be confusing if you weren’t familiar with the plot, but since I’ve read the book, I knew what was going on.
I haven’t let my 11 year old son read the book yet, because of the locker room humor and the brutality of the fight scenes, but that too is toned down in the movie. The movie is rated PG13, but I think it could be viewed by kids a little younger than that without a problem.
Apparently there are folks attempting to organize a boycott of the movie to protest Orson Scott Card’s support for traditional marriage. So I’m glad the husband and I were able to get out and see it tonight on opening weekend. If you are a fan of the book, I highly recommend this adaptation.
Ohhhh I'm so excited for this to come out on DVD! Definitely one of my all-time favorite books, thanks so much for the review! I was seriously wondering how they were going to manage to adapt it into a movie…
I never thought it could be made into a movie either, so hearing that they pulled it off makes me pretty curious. What a ridiculous boycott!
I. Love. Ender's Game! It was the first sci-fi/dystopian-esque book I ever read and I will forever be grateful for the way it introduced me to thise genres. I'm so glad the movie is worth it! I always hold my breath in these instances.
I just finished the movie, having read the book for the first time a month ago, and Oh. My. Word.
Best book-to-movie EVER. It was like the book wasn't clicking for me until I saw the movie. I actually like the movie better, though I realize how silly that is, seeing as how the movie wouldn't exist without the book. đ