A few months back I wrote a post addressing the controversy surrounding Ender’s Game. I was debating if I would see the film or boycott it. My friends and family had differing views, and I wasn’t certain what choice I would make.
My View, My Problem
Several years ago, when I read Ender’s Game, my impression was that Orson Scott Card, the author, was a progressive person. I drew this conclusion from Ender’s Game and other books about Ender and his family. The novel questions military force, invites the reader to see other points of view, examines authority, shows the damage done when the state manipulates and uses children, promotes tolerance, points out the effects of genocide and exploitation, and explores the power of governments.
Back in the late 1980s, I didn’t realize Card’s outdated, prejudice, and intolerant ideas about gays and human rights. In the 21st century, he has been outspoken about his negatives views and has donated money to and participated in anti-gay organizations. Because of his views and actions, I found myself questioning what I should do. Should I see the film or become part of the boycott?
To go or not to go? That is the question.
Two arguments helped me decide: 1) he’d already sold the rights to Hollywood and had made his money; so, Card’s financial status wouldn’t change if I saw the film, and 2) a lot of people and companies were involved in the film’s production, including companies that support gay rights.
I decided to see the movie.
The Review
Overall, if I were grading the film, I’d give it a solid B.
When I read the book, I experienced a deep emotional involvement with the characters. With Ender, yes, but I also with Bean, Ender’s brother, and sister, Peter and Valentine, and some of the other cadets. Bean is lovable and brilliant, a survivor. Peter is a sociopath brute; I disliked him but eventually found some compassion toward him. I admire Valentine’s gutsy brilliance. Most of the book takes the reader inside the heads of the characters. Capturing that on film would be difficult.
Characters
Most of the character development and character interactions as well as the side stories, which added depth to the novel, are missing. The weakness is in the script. It didn’t develop these areas as full as it could have.
The strength of the film is the outstanding acting.
Asa Butterfield plays Ender and did an excellent job. Before seeing the film, I thought he was too old for the part, but it worked. Some of his inner struggles from the book were verbalized in the film. Harrison Ford plays Col. Hyrum Graff and captures the character of the closed minded military man. He believes victory at all costs is worth the price and to hell with a kid’s psyche–after all, he’s just a kid. In the book, the reader knows this underestimation of Ender is a mistake, but the film doesn’t capture this aspect of the story. All Ford’s sappy, fake gruffness of his Han Solo days has disappeared and a forceful, ruthless old Col. Graff comes across as believable and scary.
Computer Generated Graphics
The flexibility and wide-open scope of computer-generated graphics made the scenes in space, the battles, the computer generated games, and other aspects of the novel come to life. Those scenes were a delight to watch. The downside: those scenes often took up time that could have been devoted to character development and story.
Story Development
What it comes down to is that sometimes the movie felt rushed and too condensed. I realize that film cannot capture all that’s in a novel, but a little more story and development would have made a better film.
If you aren’t boycotting the film, see it. You’ll enjoy it. It’s fun, even if you haven’t read the book. The graphics are great, and the student games in zero gravity are immensely entertaining. I thought I’d like to play around in a zero-gravity environment.
Did you see the film? What do you think? Leave a comment.
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