Ender's Game

MY RATING: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

Ender's Game was one of the films that propelled me to start this blog. This film greatly surprised me because it gave me a lot more than what expected. In fact, it was one of my favourite films of 2013. I was initially not inclined to catch this film as the trailer reminded me of Tron. I only watched it when my friend offered me and a few other free tickets his parents won somewhere. This was last Tuesday and when I found out that it is an exclusive screening one week before the opening day, I simply could not turn him down.

Ender's Game combines the 3 main things I always hope to see in a great sci-fi movie: a deep plot, spectacular visual effects and an incredible soundtrack. I entered the cinema expecting a simplistic and erroneous plot but little did I know it was adapted from one of the most popular military books. It was well adapted and contained minimal loopholes which you would normally expect from an adapted film and albeit its fast pace, it still give the audience a full picture of what is going on. The story comprises of several twists and revelations that will leave you to the edge of your seats.

Its CGI is impressive by any standards and although they contain scenes with hundred of spaceships flying around in different directions, it was well edited and does not make your head spin. The soundtrack of the film was epic. It really reflects the intensity of the scenes in the vastness of space as well as bring out your emotions so that you can relate to how the characters felt. I have to give it to the film's composer Steve Jablonsky for creating such an impressive soundtrack.

In all, Ender's Game is an impressive film that deserves more than a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

SPOILER ALERT FOR THE CONTENTS BELOW

Ender's Game really explored the inherent selfishness in mankind as well as our brutality. To mankind, winning once is not enough, its is only through the complete annihilation of our enemy will we be satisfied. The aliens in the film attacked Earth in desperation for water and after loosing the war on Earth they retreated and headed elsewhere. However, the humans, fearful the aliens will strike back, set forth to eradicate the entire species without seeking any means of interaction or diplomacy beforehand. They destroyed all the alien ships they find even though these ships were harmlessly harvesting water from other uninhabited planets. There was a scene in the film showing the number of days before the next inherent invasion. I initially thought I was the aliens invading Earth but I realised later it was quite the opposite. I really felt for Ender when he realised he unknowingly destroyed the alien's home planet. He believed there was a hope for diplomacy but realised this hope was destroyed under his own hands.

The film also explored the choices people would make if they were to put in different situations. During the final test, he abandoned all his transporters to defend the gunship that eventually destroys the alien's planet, leaving them defenceless against the alien attackers. He later realised that all his simulations were in fact reality and that his decision cost the lives of thousands on the transporter. If Ender knew that he was engaged in a real war, he would have executed his moves differently and not sacrifice the lives of people even if it may cost him the success of the mission. I would love to see an alternate ending where Ender fights (or perhaps negotiates with) the alien under complete awareness of reality but then again it may end up being cliché.

I love how film engages the audience by exploring the flaws within ourselves and how it causes us to react and make decisions under difficult circumstances. I do hope that there is a sequel to the film but I would actually be happy if the producers were to leave the ending as it is.