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  read more... )ty 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.

Flixster Users

48% liked it

54,149 ratings

Critics

51% liked it

117 critics

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Gil Kenan

Release Date: September 25, 2008

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DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009

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Stats: 2,520 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,520)


  • 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) all of my expectations, I thoroughly enjoyed it, flaws and all.

    The city of Ember was built as a refuge place for humanity and it is powered by a massive generator. But the problem is that it will only sustain for 200 years. Now Ember is falling into darkness as the generator is failing. A metal box is found in the darkest corner of a house whose residents are the descendants of past city mayors. Lina, a young girl and her grandmother are sure that the content of the box is important and may bring a solution to the inevitable end of the city... and humanity?

    'City of Ember' has an original script that was truly entertaining. It starts of interesting and doesn't have any pacing problems of any sort. But when the movie ends, I got this feeling of "That's it? What now?". Of course this is a good thing in a way, leaving the viewer to imagine the future of the characters and the described world.

    The cast does an amazing job. Saoirse Ronan and Harry Treadaway are two young actors that may have a bright future ahead of 'em. Bill Murray continues his stranger-than-we've-used-to roles and manages to pull it of, once again. Maybe he should've left comedy a bit earlier than what he did? And see what Martin Landau managed to do? A very enjoyable performance and proof of him being very much "in the game".

    The visual image of the film is very good. I enjoyed the feeling that they managed to get in to the movie. Haven't really seen anything like this before. Does remind me a bit of different movies but still it looks very original.

    'City of Ember' is a film that didn't succeed at the box office. But I can say that far more worse films are out there. This film may not be for everyone though. Some may say that it's boring or that it doesn't have enough content to be a good feature film. I say that it is a good fantasy film for the elderly teens and the mature audience. For something different, 'City of Ember' may be a good choice for you.
  • April 14, 2009
    A 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.
  • March 15, 2009
    Adequate 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.
  • February 4, 2009
    I'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)ugh, but it gets more muddled and generic as the film moves forward. Decent, in ways worthwhile, but also a bit disappointing. I may read the books now just to get a few of my questions answered.
  • January 27, 2009
    Stay away! Beware!
  • November 3, 2009
    I 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.
  • October 30, 2009
    har sät men inte jäte bra..
  • October 27, 2009
    This 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).
  • October 27, 2009
    Not 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)rray, Crook, Robbins, and Landau do good work as well.
    Story is interesting and everything comes nicely together at the end. Yet for some reason this film made a very little impression on me. It's not boring or bad, it just another kid's adventure film that doesn't manage to stand out from the rest to me. Still it's worth watching at least once.

    "My dad made this."
    "It doesn't look very safe."
    "That's my dad."
  • October 24, 2009
    An 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)Better than the majority of what counts as children's movies today, but disappointing in its inability to fully explore the intriguing world it created.

Critic Reviews


October 10, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Even if it occasionally goes off course, City of Ember provides audiences with a thought-provoking and family-friendly adventure. full review

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

View more City of Ember reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • ShokushuGoukan
    January 24, 2009
    LMFAO

    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+
  • oakjon
    October 11, 2008
    i thought the movie was really good
  • suewags23
    October 10, 2008
    To 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.
  • daisystar100
    October 6, 2008
    love the book!
  • mrbicklethepickle
    August 4, 2008
    Looks interesting.

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City of Ember Trivia


  • How long was the underground city to house humans in City Of Ember ?  Answer »
  • Who graduated school in City Of Ember ?  Answer »
  • Who also graduated from school in City Of Ember ?  Answer »
  • How many years was the underground city built for in City Of Ember ?  Answer »

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