At the Movies with Fatwayne

Think of embers as in a dying fire and that is what the people who live in the underground City of Ember are facing. They are facing a complete lack of light if their giant generator (fire) dies out thus extinguishing the incandescent lamps that make up their “sky” (embers). Think about how dark it is in a cave and this is what the city’s inhabitants are worried about as their generator shuts down more frequently and for longer periods each time. It is their hope that the “builders” of the city will return to rectify the problem.

Mostly all of the adults are in a state of blissful ignorance or simply of the belief that things have always been fine in the past and there is no reason to worry now. This being the case, it is up to two 12-year-olds to learn the truth and thus how to save the city. Our two heroes are Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) as Lina and Harry Treadaway (Control) as Doon. Together they go about the task of solving the mystery of the City of Ember by deciphering clues left by the city’s founders. Their adventure is exciting with a good bit of suspense to boot! There are problems with the plot line and you may have to suspend your sense of disbelief but the movie is fast paced and visually attractive enough that you shouldn’t mind.

There are big names aplenty starring in this film. Academy Award nominee Bill Murray plays the mayor who goes well beyond the description of “pot-bellied” and looks as if he may deliver a baby at any moment. His character is not very likable and comes to a bad ending by something that’s even fatter than he is! Academy Award winners Tim Robbins (as Laris Harrow, father of Doon) and Martin Landau (as Sol, the pipe works gauge minder) add character and depth to the acting as does Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets and Lies) as Clary.

If you are looking for an outing that will entertain the entire family, this may be just the ticket. It is rated PG and will not cause Mom and Dad any embarrassment in front of the kiddies. Additionally, parents should not have to arise in the middle of the night to sooth frightened little ones since there isn’t anything except the “fat thing” that got the mayor to be afraid of. Enjoy!

Fatwayne’s rating: