City of Ember (2008)

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 city are starting to flicker.

Director:

Gil Kenan

Writers:

Caroline Thompson (screenplay), Jeanne Duprau (book)

Stars:

David Ryall, Bill Murray, Toby Jones

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
David Ryall	...	Chief Builder
Ian McElhinney	...	Builder
Harry Treadaway	...	Doon Harrow
Tim Robbins	...	Loris Harrow
Bill Murray	...	Mayor Cole
B.J. Hogg	...	Mayor's Guard
Toby Jones	...	Barton Snode
Lucinda Dryzek	...	Lizzie Bisco
Matt Jessup	...	Joss
Lara McIvor	...	Roner
Myles Thompson	...	Smat
Eoin McAndrew	...	Student
Rachel Morton	...	Student
Conor MacNeill	...	Student
Lorraine Hilton	...	Miss Thorn

Storyline

When mankind is about to come to an end, a group of scientists decide to create and populate a city deep underground. The city of Ember is to last for 200 years after which its inhabitants are to retrieve from a strong box instructions to return to the surface. Over time however, the message is lost and life in Ember is rapidly deteriorating. Their power supply is failing and food is being rationed. It's left to two young adults to unearth the secret of Ember and to lead the way out.

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Plot Keywords:

food | box | scientist | mayor | secret | 

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Taglines:

Discover The Secret

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for mild peril and some thematic elements

Details

Official Sites:

Metropolitan Films [fr] Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cidade das Sombras

Filming Locations:

Belfast Methodist College, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$55,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£496,909 (UK) (10 October 2008)

Gross:

$7,871,693 (USA) (9 January 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Playtone, Walden Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The book sequel has been optioned, but considering the poor box-office reception of City of Ember, it remains to be seen if it will be made into a film too.

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Goofs

As Doon is walking to look at the Generator room, a girl in full orange work gear and yellow boots walks across the control room and towards a hall. The shot changes to the door. Then when it goes back to Doon, the same girl(orange gear, yellow boots) gets up from the left and starts walking across the room again, before the shot changes back to the door.

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Quotes

Captain Fleery: Stop! I need to tell you the rules. One: When a customer...
Lina Mayfleet: Gives you a message, repeat it back to make sure you've got it right. Two: Always wear the red cape so people can identify you. Three: Our customers pay 20 coins for every message no matter how far we have to carry it, so go fast. I love going fast.
Captain Fleery: Very good. I'm impressed. Now go!

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Episode #5.41 (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Song for the City"
Written by Becky Stark
Performed by Becky Stark and the Believers
Becky Stark appears courtesy of Matador Records

User Reviews

Flawed... but with enough of its own to separate it from the flock

Had some trouble deciding my rating on this one. There is much about it to like, for sure, but there are also some flaws that cant be overlooked. It has great setting and atmosphere, an intriguing plot and charm to boot. Such things scores a lot with me. The directing is at times questionable though, there is little sense of pacing and there are some parts that feel tacked on (the crazy flumride anybody)just because its supposed to be a summerfranchie. The cute little girl is completely superfluous, and Bill Murray and Treadaway's Doon doesn't make enough with their characters (or isn't allowed too). One thing is clear. Its strenghs of this film mostly resides within the source material(witch i haven't read though). Its really nice for a change to see a fantasy film without a lot of monsters, the enemies here are brain-stagnation, greed and selfishness. Some parts had me snickering. The parts where they are handed there jobs through lottery (a jab at communism?)and the old man with the pipes. THe story is actually pretty good, not original, but tightly woven and deceivingly fresh with a timely message. In short, the source-material had the brains, but the director lacked the guts (or maybe just the talent, or were assasinated by his studio) too go through with it.

Still, it beats the latest Narnia installment, and the latest Harry Potter too for that matter. Also, Ronan, the kid from Atonement, turns in a good performance.