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 in a society and landscape with few caps on creativity. Like something blended from a video game universe (“Bioshock” in particular) and “12 Monkeys’” post-apocalyptic, tunneling, sewer-world (or even “Delicatessen’s” underground movement or “The Terminator’s” hypogeal bomb shelters), “City of Ember” packs adventure and intrigue into the wondrous exploration of a society crumbling from age and deceit. And the adult characters similarly fail to provide as much support as they should to enhance the understanding and motives behind the city’s cryptic suppression, though Bill Murray gets to ham it up as the transparent, gluttonous mayor harboring a devious agenda of his own. The origins of each also remain as enigmatic as that of the shining city. The introductions and relationship between the two main characters feel truncated, never really furthering even as the story progresses. While the setting is brilliantly realized, the characters that populate this grandiose city receive far too little development. The CG elements are also top-notch, but the practical effects flawlessly immerse the audience in the massive, subterraneous realm of pipeworks and generators and giant moles. 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 sweeping crane shots through the underground city. But will futile traditions and old-fashioned greed doom Ember to ruination?Įasily the most impressive piece of the City of Ember puzzle is the delightfully ominous science-fiction visuals. Now it’s up to two ambitious adolescents, 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 civilization is blanketed in darkness forever. ![]() Years and years have passed, leaving the once-mighty City of Ember to steadily falter as corrupt officials dictate an antiquated mode of survival and the massive generator that powers the city frequently fails. But somewhere along the way, the box was forgotten… ![]() 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. ![]() 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. But despite a few overly convenient outcomes and a rushed introduction, the storytelling flaws can’t entirely take away from the enjoyment of solving an epic mystery of a grandly glowing city alongside two very enthusiastic youths. But several missed opportunities keep it from escaping its familiar, family-friendly roller coaster ride aura to become something truly unique. Ity of Ember” employs a supremely majestic setting to unravel its complex, end-of-the-world, sci-fi adventure yarn.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |