Now available on Blu-ray and DVD is the film Ender’s Game. It’s based on the book by the same name written by Orson Scott Card. I have not heard of the book until now. In fact it’s part of a series.
Ender’s Game is a Sci-Fi, fantasy film about a young boy name Ender Wiggen. Ender is a shy boy who keeps to himself. He’s also incredibly bright and comes across as being wise beyond his years. He attends a special military school. His older brother, Peters, was kicked out of the school because he’s quick to anger and very impulsive. Ender’s older sister, Valentine, was also removed from the school because she is too kind and compassionate. Ender is his family’s only chance of having a child graduate from the school.
After an incident at school where Ender beat up a boy who has been bullying him, Ender was also permanently expelled from the school.
Witnessing Ender’s attack on his bully, Colonel Graff and Major Anderson pay Ender and his family a visit and offer Ender a chance to attend the elite Battle School. The Battle School is a satellite that orbits the Earth where young men and women are trained to be soldiers in a battle against alien enemies. Ender agrees to attend.
Once at the Battle School Ender has a hard time making friends. The other students think he’s a bit “odd”.
Colonel Graff and Major Anderson keep a close eye on Ender. They see something very special in him. They are especially interested in how he does with virtual mind games that the students are allowed to play. Ender plays the games much differently from how others play them which leaves them to believe that there is something very special about Ender and he might be the one that they have been looking for to help the fleet destroy the alien enemy.
As time goes on Ender makes friends, and new enemies. He proves to everyone just how gifted he is. Colonel Graff knows that Ender is “the one” who can save man kind from the enemy threat.
Will Ender go on an fulfill his destiny or will he chose a different path for himself? Will he ever be able to return home to his family, especially his sister Valentine? To find out you need to pick up a copy of Ender’s Game which is now available on Blu-ray/DVD where ever movies are sold.
I have never read the book before, so I was a bit confused about the storyline. I have to admit that I did get “lost” a few times.
I felt really bad for Ender. It seemed as though he could never catch a break and was either being put down by kids who were jealous of his abilities, or bullied. It makes me sad to see a child all alone.
As far as special effects go they were really cool in this film. If you love Sci-Fi movies you should love the world that was created for Ender’s Game. If you liked the film Tron then you should really like Ender’s Game because it has a similar quality to it (although I think Ender’s Game has better special effects). Some of the special effects blew me away.
There are a few bonus features on the Blu-ray including a few audio commentaries and deleted/extended scenes.
Two notable bonus features definitely worth watching are Ender’s Game: The Making of Ender’s Game and Inside the Mind Games. Both give you great insight into the making of this film, from the motion capture film techniques to the interesting ways the filmmakers did the zero gravity scenes.
Ender’s Game is rate PG-13. I think it’s a bit too intense for younger children.
Overall I enjoyed the film. It won’t become a classic like Star Wars or Star Trek, but it’s enjoyable to watch none the less. The special effects alone are sure to “ooh” and “aah” your family. 🙂
Here is the film’s trailer for your enjoyment.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way.