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City of Ember
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City of Ember (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 37 | slideshow) Videos (see all 15)
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.
City of Ember (2008) -- Clip: What You Get Is What You Get
City of Ember (2008) -- Interview: Saoirse Ronan "On the story"
City of Ember (2008) -- To save the human race, and underground city was built to last only 200 yeaers...now time is up!
City of Ember (2008) -- Trailer: Vote for Cole

Overview

User Rating:
6.4/10   9,467 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 9% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Gil Kenan
Writers (WGA):
Caroline Thompson (screenplay)
Jeanne Duprau (book)
Contact:
View company contact information for City of Ember on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 October 2008 (USA) more
Tagline:
Discover The Secret more
Plot:
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. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
3 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(41 articles)
Review: 'City of Ember'
 (From Comicmix. 31 January 2009, 7:59 AM, PST)

DVD Round Up, Jan. 27, 2009: ‘Moonlight,’ ‘College,’ ‘City of Ember’
 (From HollywoodChicago.com. 27 January 2009, 7:19 AM, PST)

User Comments:
City of Ember Movie Review from The Massie Twins more

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 #1
Rachel Morton ... Student #2

Conor MacNeill ... Student #3
Lorraine Hilton ... Miss Thorn
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG for mild peril and some thematic elements.
Runtime:
95 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS
Certification:
USA:PG (certificate #43559) | Ireland:PG | UK:PG | Singapore:PG | Philippines:G (MTRCB) | Hong Kong:IIA | Australia:G | Czech Republic:U | South Africa:10M | Canada:G (Manitoba/Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | France:U | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:Atp | Portugal:M/12
Company:
Playtone more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
'Ember' is a Hungarian word which means 'man' and 'human' in English. more
Goofs:
Continuity: The scene where Doon is watching the boat follow its track, the boat automatically launches into the water. Yet when the three get into the boat, the boat does not launch until Doon pulls a lever. more
Quotes:
Loris Harrow: [narrating] Lina and Doon tied their hope to a rock and tossed it down toward the city. The rock could've ended up on a roof. Or kicked into a gutter. But fate ran another course. And the message found its way. Now the path was clear for all. All of us who kept the flame of Ember burning, through the darkness, so that we could live again on the earth, in the air and the light. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in "At the Movies: (2008-11-26)" (2008) more

FAQ

Is "City of Ember" based on a book?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
more
93 out of 118 people found the following comment useful:-
City of Ember Movie Review from The Massie Twins, 9 October 2008
7/10
Author: joel massie (GoneWithTheTwins) from www.GoneWithTheTwins.com

City of Ember employs a supremely majestic setting to unravel its end-of-the-world sci-fi adventure, but several missed opportunities keep it from escaping its family-friendly roller coaster ride feel and becoming something truly unique. However, a few too-convenient outcomes and a rushed introduction can't take away the undeniable enjoyment of solving the epic mystery of the once-grand city with the two enthusiastic leads.

When the world ended, a group of elite scientists and engineers determined that the only way to save their way of life was to build an underground city far below the decimated surface. Deciding upon a lifespan of 200 years for their city, the key to salvation was locked away in a metal box to be handed down from one mayor to the next until the time was right. But somewhere along the way the box was forgotten… Years and years have passed and the once mighty City of Ember steadily falters as corrupt officials dictate an antiquated way of life and the massive generator that powers the city frequently fails. Now it is up to two ambitious youths, Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway) and Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) to solve the mystery behind the origins of their city and find a way out before their world is blanketed in darkness forever.

Easily the most impressive piece of the City of Ember puzzle is the delightfully ominous science-fiction visuals. The massive sets were built in Northern Ireland in the shipyard-turned-soundstage of the location the Titanic was actually constructed in (now the largest soundstage in the world) and it's never more apparent than in the beautiful crane shots through the underground city. The CG elements are also top-notch, but the practical effects flawlessly immerse the audience in the fantasy world of pipeworks and generators.

While the setting is brilliantly realized, the characters that populate the grandiose city receive far too little development. The introduction and relationship between the two main characters feels truncated and never really furthers as the story progresses, and the origins of each remain as enigmatic as that of the shining city. The adult characters throughout never provide as much support as they should to enhance the understanding and motives behind the city's cryptic suppression. At least Bill Murray hams it up as the gluttonous mayor with a devious agenda of his own.

Like something blended from a video game universe (Bioshock in particular) and 12 Monkeys' post-apocalyptic subterranean sewer-world (or even Terminator's hypogeal bomb shelters), City of Ember packs adventure and intrigue into the wondrous exploration of a society crumbling from age and deceit. As the young heroes scour the dank passages and forgotten tunnels, it's difficult not to become immersed in the fun of uncovering clues and discovering secrets alongside the venturous duo.

- The Massie Twins

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for City of Ember (2008)
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Reasons this Movie SUCKS! zalogical
Technical stuff about the main generator furrailroad
I hate the soundtrack abuse... xbruce-1
Ping A Bob, Question for you... artcurus-1
bioshock warm up??? dangerofdeath66
Sequels starsearcher88
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