Since its publication in over a quarter century ago, the novel Ender’s Game has become a cottage industry of sorts (thirteen novels and an equal number of short stories, a comic book series) collectively described as the “Enderverse.” To that ‘verse we can add the film adaptation Ender’s Game.
Fifty years have passed since an alien race called the Formics attacked Earth. Millions died and the invaders were barely repelled; to be ready for the next attack the Battle School was created, so we would be ready. Ender Wiggin tis the last of his family to be recruited; his father, brother and sister all washed out. But Ender is “special,” a brilliant natural tactician, the one Earth’s defensive forces needs. Under the watchful and unsentimental eye Col. Graff, Ender is goaded, pushed, molded into a warrior-leader. He quickly rises through the ranks and is soon attending the elite battle school at the front lines. Because the Formics have been building a fleet and it will be ready to launch soon…
Over the years author Orson Scott Card has “updated” the story to reflect real-world events (the end of the Cold War) and the screenwriters have tinkered with it further to reflect current events (the US War on Terror). Some of the political points are intentional, some are not. Some things make a good story, some don’t make good sense.
When the original novel appeared it was a rousing good thing nuke’ till they glow and then shoot ‘em in the dark. Now, in more nuanced times, this may not necessarily be the best way to go. The novel is now considered a “Young Adult” book, which puts it on the same shelf as the as Edward and Bella, Harry and Percy, but it’s closer in spirit to Katniss’ adventures, children being used fight a war they don’t really understand. It also has something to say about the treatment of our warriors, whose wounds are physical and psychological and about the nature of diplomacy being carried out by other means.
The performances are good and the SFX up to what we now consider “standard” (that is, as photorealistic as possible). The action doesn’t drag and there is time for reflection for the characters and the audience. Ender’s Game is a good movie, but it’s not the SF equivalent of Apocalypse Now.
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