Ender's Game (2013)

 

This little film sure got the short end of the stick when it was released. True, it was the next one in a slew of book adaptations and perhaps that is why this one got snowed under and had some lukewarm reviews but looking upon it now, it's a lot better than one might expect. 

It also didn't help that the marketing mainly focused on the science fiction part and less on the emotional turmoil that this story brings to the table. I mean, yes: it is still science fiction, but it's the journey that our lead character makes that is the real crux of the tale.

In a not so far flung future, our planet came under attack by an alien race known as Formics (because they sort of resemble terrestrial ants). This attack was repelled and since then, fifty years have passed. But because global leaders fear a return of this invading species, strict policies have been set in motion to prepare our planet for war. To do this, highly intelligent children are selected to enter a rigorous and brutal training system, so that the military can select the best of the best to lead humanity against the Formics. 

This is where we meet Ender, an exceptionally bright student who, according to all tests and observations, proves to be a prime candidate for the program. But in order to fully grasp it, he is being tested, bullied and pretty much mentally abused to the point of fanaticism.

I am not joking: the amount of stress and alienation they put him through is horrendous. And all this because Colonel Graff (Ford) believes Ender to truly be the best. But because of this, the boy must always be alone and under constant pressure.

Is this abuse? Yes. Yes, it is.

As predicted, Ender continues to achieve the highest marks because he is also compassionate and likes to think out of the box. He eventually does form friendships with other kids who are treated as misfits and they turn out to be the best candidates for the final leg of their training: highly detailed war simulations on a planet formerly ruled by Formics. Ender is told these are to prepare him for the final push against the Formics. But there is more to this than first meets the eye. And what do those dreams about a Formic Queen have to do with all this?

This film looks the part. The visuals are not only stunning, but in colourful ways show the audience how militaristic and pretty much fascist the world has become since the first (and only) attack by the Formics. Heck, Ender has all the pressure of the world on his shoulders from the start, as he is the third child in a world where you can only have two children, no more. He was an exception, as his older brother and sister both washed out of the military program. 

Yikes.

Asa Butterfield does a great job as Ender. He tries to remain calm and controlled at all times because that is expected of him, but even though they brutally harass him in every way possible, he remains compassionate. Maybe this is the least believable thing in the film, as constant abuse might turn anyone into a raving monster. So it's nice to see him connecting with other team members and especially Hailee Steinfeld, who once again showed she has some serious acting chops. 

You'll also love to loathe Harrison Ford in this one. Yes, they try and act as if his gruffness and abusive behaviour is all for the greater good, but at the end of the day nearly all of the adults (except for Viola Davis) simply terrorize these kids. 

And the ending is one heck of a revelation. Sure, you might have seen it coming, but still.

What is also good about this film, is that they made Ender more of a rounded human being, as the book does nothing of the sort. Also: this is one of those cases where the film is actually much better than the book. And even though this might have been made for a younger (teen) audience), adults can also find plenty to enjoy. Just don't forget that the science fiction comes second place to the psychological drama.