Ender's Game - 3 smiles

“Ender’s Game” is that rare movie that develops character and story rather than focus on just action. Some 50 years before the movie’s first present-day scene, we learn that Earth became the object of attack from giant ant-like creatures called ‘Formics.’ They would have conquered if not for a daring move by war hero Mazer Rackham (Ben Kingsley). The Formics were beaten but not destroyed and the population of Earth lives in fear of their return. So, over the past five decades, the military has developed a training program whereby the best and brightest children are put through rigorous training. Super weapons were developed and leaders honed in the hope that when it comes time for the final battle with the Formic, Earth will be ready. Into that situation comes Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), the third child of a family in a society that limits most families to two offspring. Military leaders see much potential in Ender to be the next great battle commander. But Ender must successfully pass through the various stages of training first.

Young star Asa Butterfield as Ender capably holds his own against veterans Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley and gives a solidly believable performance. The themes include the importance in a battle situation of thinking outside the box, the ethics of genocide and whether a commander will act the same way in a simulation versus real life-and-death war. If there’s a criticism, it’s that the first half of the movie is more enjoyable than the second. For most of the first half, director Gavin Hood does a good job of developing the main character and illustrating the sharpness and creativity that makes him a prized pupil of Colonel Graff (Ford). Ender doesn’t win; he dominates. During the second half, character development takes a back seat to the progression of story and while the big battle surprise works, there’s an element of anticlimax. “Ender’s Game” is a visual delight and certainly worth seeing. 11/1/13