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/
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.
As a film on its own, 6/10. With hints of metaphors for the work here 8/10. :)
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. :)