Saoirse Ronan, Bill Murray, Tim Robbins
For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the ci...( read more
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DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009
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Stats: 2,520 reviews
Your Rating
Flixster Reviews (2,520)
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August 9, 2009"On the day the world ended, the fate of mankind was carried in a small metal box."
The fantasy genre is one of my favourite genres. In that genre, the viewer gets a chance to leave the world of today and experience something else. Something different. 'City of Ember' exceeded...( read more) -
April 14, 2009A fun adventure flick that drags a little in the beginning but picks up and turns into a fun ride. It's not an entirely convincing trip, but it is the sort of satisfying film you wished they would make more often. An entertaining kids' film with more imagination than most.
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March 15, 2009Adequate but unspectacular fantasy which can't decide its audience: complex setup and some scary characters but simplistic set pieces and script. Worst of all Bill Murray is wasted.
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February 4, 2009I'm giving this half a star more than I should because of how impressed I was with the set design. It's clean enough fun for all ages, but in my opinion it slipped by telegraphing the outcome of the story at the very beginning of the film. The screenplay starts out engaging eno...( read more)
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November 3, 2009I must say that this movie was pretty good. Loved how the characters were played and the backrounds and stuff. But, I must say I lkied the book a bit better then the movie.
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October 27, 2009This was really well done family Sci Fi... Even had a bit of Steam Punk thrown in. It was clever, original, and well worth a watch. With all the glittery movies we have being pumped out, this one was dark and grounded (literally).
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October 27, 2009Not a terrible movie at all, but will probably be forgotten in the future because it doesn't give much that stands out.
Acting isn't bad from the kids (which is a rarity) Ronan and Treadway. Each do a good job in their lead roles and I hope to see them in more things to come. Mu...( read more) -
October 24, 2009An entertaining enough yarn, wtih some interesting set pieces. Despite Tim Robbins' dulcet tones making me feel like a kid hearing a bed time story, the movie fails to go beyond its interesting premise. Even children should be able to spot the plot holes and over simplification. ...( read more)
Critic Reviews
October 10, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today
October 10, 2008
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The story, based on Jeanne Duprau's novel of the same name, is beautifully constructed. It builds until it reaches the point that it's one edge-of-your-seat moment after another. full review
October 10, 2008
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Except for watching Bill Murray get attacked by a giant mole (something unique in Billy boy's career so far) this sci-fi fantasy aimed at kids feels wan and warmed over. full review
October 10, 2008
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Splendidly cast, intelligent, graphically inventive romp. full review
October 10, 2008
Pete Hammond, Boxoffice Magazine
With a little luck and nurturing City Of Ember will find its way into the light of the multiplex, where word of mouth could give it an extended stay. full review
October 10, 2008
Kurt Loder, MTV
[Bill] Murray is an actor who could wilt a building with his rheumy gaze, and his presence here is so insurmountably satirical that he throws the movie out of whack... full review
October 10, 2008
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Ember is a superbly crafted environment, recalling not only the dreamlike nocturnal landscape of City of Lost Children but also the self-contained, sub-aquatic art-deco setting of last year's superlat... full review
October 10, 2008
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
City of Ember suffers from being as under-plotted as it is overdecorated. full review
October 10, 2008
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
More often, all the running, the hiding, the escaping (from giant moles, from giant Murray) are decidedly less exciting, and compelling, than City of Ember wants to be. full review
October 9, 2008
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
To be fair, City of Ember would probably entertain younger viewers, if they haven't already been hopelessly corrupted by high-powered sci-fi on TV and video. full review
Comments
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January 24, 2009LMFAO
Sex & Nudity
A young girl uses the word, "sexy."
Violence & Gore
Mild Violence involving pushing & grabbing.
Profanity
1 use of the word "damn."
Frightening/Intense Scenes
There is a giant killer mole in the film which will probably scare most children.
this film is okay for children 7+ -
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October 10, 2008To me it looks like they made the city more elaborate than the book describe it. You have to read the Prophet of Yonwood to know why they are underground. There are three books to this series and it seems to me they should have made Prophet of Yonwood first then City of Ember then People of Sparks. I am going to see the movie to see how it differs from the book.
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