DVD review (region 1 & 2)
Directed by Gil Kenan
Starring Bill Murray, Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Tim Robbins, Mackenzie Crook
Release date Out now
In the far future, a huge disaster has forced a community to live deep underground in the city of Ember. The corrupt Mayor Cole (Murray) stuffs himself with horded food as Ember’s power slowly runs out. But teenagers Lina (Ronan) and Doon (Treadaway) learn of an ancient secret that could lead them beyond the known city limits…
In contrast to upbeat fantasies like The Spiderwick Chronicles and the Harry Potter movies, this adaptation of Jeanne DuPrau’s novel is a darker affair in more ways than one.
Director Gil Kenan (who gave us the underappreciated animation Monster House) has looked to the 1980s fantasies of Steven Spielberg and Joe Dante for his influences, relying on largely practical effects (aside from some cool CG monster slugs that stalk the caves surrounding the city) and an unforced sense of wonder and adventure. The steampunk stylistics thrillingly bring to life the dying city, which has its own fascinating mythology where the kids are presented with their future careers (messenger, pipeworker and so on) as they graduate.
The young leads make for likeable heroes, willing to fight for a better future in the face of danger. But, perhaps inevitably, it is Bill Murray who steals the show as the glutton, corrupt but somehow loveable mayor; it’s a role that gives free rein to his charming comic talents that have been neutered in recent more serious fare like Lost in Translation and Broken Flowers.
The pacing is sometimes slow and the film is light on action, which probably accounts for its poor box office performance, but more patient kids and teens should find much to enjoy here. James Skipp
VERDICT: 7/10
An intriguing, if occasionally gloomy, children’s fantasy that boasts both imagination and style.
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