Ender's Game, movie review

Translating books into movies is tricky business; there's lots of ways they go wrong and fail. But, they also come with well developed plots and tons of detail that can be sorted through to make a 2 hour film. Of course, you can't include everything, so picking the right parts is the art I imagine.

Anyway, Ender's Game is now a movie, to the delight of science fiction fans everywhere. I've loved the story since it was a novella, and even more when it was made into a book. It's a great story about a boy far beyond his years in attitude, skill, and tactical ability. And now a movie, watched on a huge screen at the local theater.

How did it translate? I'd say the director was a big fan of the book, because most everything I wanted to see was in the movie. Naturally, the extensive subplot of Valentine and Peter taking over the world was dropped, and the battleschool combats were stripped to the bone, but the content was there and the overall plot is intact. Ender's struggle to be a leader is the plot (and no, I'm not giving away any part of the ending). Overall, the movie is very faithful to the source material.

So, what did I think? I loved it. Really, truly, loved it. So did my son, who is also a fan of the book. Harrison Ford as Col. Graft was gripping, tough, and perfect. Ender, played by Asa Butterfield, was exactly right. In the scenes of bullying, it really is incredible that this little twit of a kid comes out on top every time. And the space combat was incredible, doing what movies do best and displaying everything for your eyes to drink in.

I highly recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys science fiction, and when you're done watching then go out and buy the book. Both are worth your time.

- M