Ender's Game
Summary (from IMDb): The International Military seek out a leader who can save the human race from an alien attack. Ender Wiggin, a brilliant young mind, is recruited and trained to lead his fellow soldiers into a battle that will determine the future of Earth.
Book Review:
My Review of Ender’s Game (Ender’s Saga #1) by Orson Scott Card
Book to Movie Review:
Ender’s Game was awesome. That was the very first thought I had as soon as the credits were rolling. It was a million times better than I thought it could be. The visuals were spectacular. The cast was superb. The movie drew me in immediately. Reading the book beforehand and knowing what would happen didn’t ruin any moments. In fact, I feel like knowing the outcome increased my enjoyment of the scenes because some of them were so important and I knew the significance of those moments. Seeing the battle room was amazing. I loved the movie.
Of course, like any movie adaptation of a book, things were changed, sped up, and omitted. There was no mention of the things Ender’s siblings were doing while he was in Battle School. The ages of all of the kids were increased. Ender’s struggles were portrayed very well, but there were plenty of examples that were omitted. It wasn’t quite as messed up, twisted, or violent as the book in the way that Ender was molded into the leader he became. The different struggles and stages in Battle School were sped up and combined, but I think it was done well and the audience was able to grasp the point.
When I read the book, I wondered how on earth the movie would work. It’s one of those books that I would have said was too difficult to portray cinematically. The movie proved me wrong. The skipped parts, changes, and sped up moments did not bother me at all and I completely understand why the movie was made the way it was. I still felt emotionally involved and Ender was important to me. The struggles of leadership and molding the right leader were portrayed well. I watched how the movie sucked in the viewers around me who hadn’t read the book and they were just as involved as I was. I don’t know how someone could watch the movie and not be taken in and become invested in the story.
I realize the movie and the book have a lot of controversy due to the author’s expressed views. I realize people will not see the movie because of this. I know I can’t change anyone’s mind, but I think they are missing out a really amazing cinematic experience. And the movie was probably created and worked on by hundreds of people who also vehemently disagree with the author’s political/social views. The story itself does not send the same message as the author’s personal views and that, to me, makes all the difference. It was a phenomenal movie and I’m really glad I saw it.
I loved Ender’s Game. I highly recommend it. Please, don’t let anyone stop you from enjoying the movie. Seeing it in theaters was an amazing experience. Do not skip this one!
