City of Ember

RedFox

The Living Force
FOTCM Member
I saw this on DVD a few weeks ago and thought it was fantastic.
In retrospect this may be a little naive, its based on the book of the same name by Jeanne Duprau and according to a few reviews I read (having not read the book) the book was Way better than the film, the film having lost a lot of the subtlety and metaphor of the book.
However, I'd still like to highly recommend this.

Two other films that have touched on similar subjects in different ways are Dark City (which I think everyone should watch first, it was even out before The Matrix and deals with very similar themes), and The Truman Show (the opening shots of the City of Ember reminds me of the opening shot of The Truman Show)

_http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/
For generations, the people of the City of Ember have languished in a world of artificial lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever.

Its meant to be a kids film, but I enjoyed it none the less. My girlfriends youngest described it as 'Confusing, but I enjoyed it anyway'.
The visuals I found pretty unique and definitely lend to an interesting (and slightly claustrophobic) atmosphere. The actors where well chosen and acting ok, but I think the writing/direction let them and the film down in places. Pacing was a little slow to start with, and although it picked up a bit I found it kind of slow through most of the film. Oddly this added to the tension for me! :)
From a purely filmic point of view, its probably pretty run of the mill 'ok but not brilliant' book to film attempt.

What did shine threw thought I found most intriguing. Although dealt with quite naively the entire film (and this is one reason I'm posting this, to get a second opinion) seemed to have a flavour of (some parts of) The Secret History of the World. If it was just one or two things I could have dismissed it, but the flavour lasted the entire film which was intriguing! (its entirely possible I was projecting onto it my own understanding, and reading too much into it)
The metaphors that came through may not have been done as well as the book (as far as I've read from others writing reviews), but they did still offer some interesting hints at things....without reading the book probably left open to interpretation.

Loris Harrow: Pay attention, pay attention to everything, everything you see. Notice what no one else notice, and you'll see what no one else knows, What you get is what you get, what you do with what you get, that's more the point.

As a film on its own, 6/10. With hints of metaphors for the work here 8/10. :)
 
I've read Laura's "Secret History of the World" and seen the movie "City of Ember" in addition to reading the book and the two following from that series-- I'd be happy to share my thoughts. It could be that we're a bit more clued in on possible deeper symbolism, but I've definitely noticed useful life lessons in this series, as well as in other children's books lately (the Series of Unfortunate Events still comes to mind).

Having most recently completed the third book of the series, "The Prophet of Yonwood," even my nine-year-old was struck by how easily well-meaning people could be scared into conformity, bowing to a fascist authority in a time of impending crisis (ponerology in action). I don't think I've ever seen a better example of this for young reading. The power of stories is awesome--

Cindy
 
I did like the film version of A Series of Unfortunate Events. Looks like I've got a few books to add to my reading list :)
One book it did remind me of (at least the start of) was Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov.

You may well be right, perhaps the possible deeper meaning behind the story are more obvious being familiar with the work here. I guess one of my burning questions is how much does it parallel?


*Warning: Possible spoiler alerts*

The first obvious parallel I noticed was a society that had forgotten where it came from (no, or very little prehistory), was crumbling/coming to an end (if you payed enough attention, otherwise it was just random scary events) and that there where clues left for a way to get out alive. This I found quite striking. And at the very least, it could just be an interesting series of coincidences.

The mayor wanting all the power for himself (this being the last remaining food reserves whilst promising the masses to setup a 'comity to investigate possible alleged food shortages'), was quite well done (especially having someone as 'nice' as bill murray playing him) although only very briefly touched upon the subject of penorology. Does this get explored more deeply in the book? I understand the part with Lizzie going to the mayor was done differently in the book (Doon goes instead I think).
 
RedFox said:
The first obvious parallel I noticed was a society that had forgotten where it came from (no, or very little prehistory), was crumbling/coming to an end (if you payed enough attention, otherwise it was just random scary events) and that there where clues left for a way to get out alive. This I found quite striking. And at the very least, it could just be an interesting series of coincidences.

I just found and watched this film yesterday. Your observation above is what struck me, too.

The piecing together of the clues, and seeing the unseen... right before your eyes was an important message, OSIT. The use of the term "Builders", to connote the founding fathers of Ember, was also interesting, given the esoteric significance of that name.

Ember was built to allow a portion of the population to survive underground for 200 years. This was the time deemed likely to be long enough for the planetary surface conflagration (which is never identified) to have passed. With the loss of the instructions for exiting the city, at the proper time, the population continues to live there long past the design expiry date for the mechanical infrastructure of the city. As the machinery of the society breaks down, along with moral leadership, persistent, youthful curiosity discovers the solution to the dilemma... and, as with any good adventure, not a moment too soon.

A good "G" rated movie for all ages. It incorporates many of the subjects discussed here in an entertaining way and there is an STO take away moral to the story. It reminded me somewhat of a Sufi teaching tale.
 
Hi Redfox,

Yes the movie had same impact on me (although Matrix was most eye opening and direct in revealing the truth), and if I can ad some other movies with WOW effect: Name of the Rose, V for Vendeta, Rashomon, 1984 and Life of Brian.
 

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