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City of Ember (2008)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
10 October 2008 (USA)
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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
Awards:
3 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(61 articles)
The Latest Next 'Harry Potter': Nicholas Flamel
(From Get The Big Picture. 19 November 2009, 6:37 AM, PST)
Terry Loane Casts 'This Beautiful Fantastic'
(From IFTN. 16 November 2009, 11:29 PM, PST)
(From Get The Big Picture. 19 November 2009, 6:37 AM, PST)
Terry Loane Casts 'This Beautiful Fantastic'
(From IFTN. 16 November 2009, 11:29 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Decent movie, lacking some story, lacking some direction.
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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 |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for mild peril and some thematic elements.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
90 min
Country:
Language:
Colour:
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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
Filming Locations:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
'Ember' is a Hungarian word which means 'man' and 'human' in English.
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Goofs:
Continuity: After Doon and Lizzie jump through the hole and run away to escape from the giant mole, Lizzie suddenly is wearing a miners helmet. In the succeeding scene the helmet is gone again.
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Quotes:
Doon Harrow:
The Builders left instructions.
Loris Harrow: The Builders abandoned us.
Doon Harrow: No, they didn't. They didn't, Dad. I have proof.
Loris Harrow: Show me.
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Loris Harrow: The Builders abandoned us.
Doon Harrow: No, they didn't. They didn't, Dad. I have proof.
Loris Harrow: Show me.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Fred: Fred: A Star in His Own Mind (#2.5)" (2008)
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FAQ
How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?Is "City of Ember" based on a book?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
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If the only thing City of Ember does is show that Belfast can play host to high concept movies, then it was worthwhile, but no doubt, it was aiming for more than that. Perhaps to stand next to such fare as Harry Potter, or a Pixar flick.
Unfortunately, it falls short, but only just. This is without doubt, an exciting romp about two coming-of-age children who break out of the mold forced on them by the dying Ember, and in doing so, change everything. The acting is solid, the set design and music excellent. The concept, the builders of Ember leaving behind secret instructions to get back to the world, is genuinely engaging.
Unfortunately, they don't get to these instructions fast enough, and a lot of time is spent wandering around the, albeit, beautiful city. Often times there is a lack of a perceived threat. Despite being replete with a nefarious mayor and a mutated mole (like the massive moths, never explained), the story uses neither of these things enough, leaving some scenes to be propelled solely by the heroes following the by-the-numbers instructions left to them. Worst of all, the ending feels like a poor man's Goonies.
In the director's corner, he is guilty of some slow scenes, but what is almost unforgivable is the flat looks of the actors during intense CGI action. Somebody wasn't thinking ahead.
Nonetheless, a charming film that I hope made enough money to spawn treatment of the books sequels.