Ender's Game

This review may contain spoilers.

This was the movie that could basically have been anything, you weren't really sure whether it was good or bad going into the film; but ultimately it's a rather enjoyable watch. I would give Ender's Game a 6/10.

This film had some fairly solid pacing with an ending that definitely set up for a lot more sci-fi adventure to come. I think the plot was very enthralling and the ideas and themes within this film could stray from basic family film to intense themes about war. It was a curious blend of storytelling that somehow worked for the most part. I also loved the visual look for this film, it had a great intergalatic and advanced technologies feeling to it. Such a unique science fiction feel in it's own respect.

Asa Butterfield who played Ender was nothing short of amazing; people need to keep watching this kid because his acting career can only skyrocket. Harrison Ford as Graff was just brilliant, Ford must thrive in science fiction that's all I'm saying. Hailee Steinfield, who played Petra, was a very cool character and a good side character to Ender. Viola Davis, who played Anderson, was just interesting; she was the soul of the military I felt and she needed more screen time. Nonso Anozie, who played Dap, was one of my favourites, he had such a minor role in the film but he had tiny scenes that were really quite heartwarming to watch.

If I'm being honest this movie was rather predictable which was a bit of a let down. Also the ending of this film in which the main protagonist accomplishes a major triumph then heads to another planet seems a bit like Prometheus' ending which annoyed me. The entire tone of this film also seemed a tad underwhelming as well.

Abigail Breslin, who played Valentine, was a confusing character to watch; it was a sister character that came across as a love interest and I just did not like that character chemistry at all. Moises Arias, who played Bonzo, did not suit his role; he was meant to be this aggressive commander and there were surely other kids better suited to the role because he looked ridiculous. Ben Kingsley, who played Mazer Rackham, was hard to watch, this great actor did not suit a Maori role and became a ridiculous nothing role in the end because of it.