Escape is the only option.
City of Ember
By Cheryl Leong
Director: Gil Kenan
Starring: Bill Murray, Harry Treadaway and Saoirse Ronan
Official website: http://www.cityofember.com/
At only 95 minutes long, the much hyped about, young adults sci-fi adventure City of Ember ought to be a pleasant ride to sit through. But alas, short though it may be, sweet it certainly isn't.
Based on the popular children's book by Jeanne DuPrau, City of Ember starts out with a promising premise. The titular subterranean city is a refuge that has been built two centuries ago, to protect humanity against the surface ravages. It runs on a huge generator, which is now beginning to give out. Ominous, periodical blackouts happen more and more frequently, and last longer with each occurrence.
Lina Mayfleet (Atonement' Saoirse Ronan) finds a mysterious old box, and enlists Doon Harrow's (Harry Treadaway) help to unlock it. When they do, they discover the secret left behind by the city's Builders, on escape instructions from Ember when the time comes. In addition to a crumbling city, the two also have to contend with a smug, corrupt, and ill-intentioned mayor (Bill Murray), a giant mole, and a race against time.
That said, the only saving grace of City of Ember is the incredibly beautiful and visually breathtaking production design of the city. The set gives you superbly rich details of this underground world. Relative new face, Saoirse Ronan, is absolutely brilliant as Lina, with her liquid, expressive eyes layering every moment with an expertly nuanced touch. The highly acclaimed Bill Murray seems to have no problem acting as the vain and glib Mayor. But then again, the role doesn't exactly tax his acting chops either. Harry Treadaway, the latest heartthrob, isn't nearly as outstanding as Saoirse Ronan, but still phones in a satisfactory performance.
Despite a compelling post-apocalyptic story idea, City of Ember doesn't burn, but merely sizzles, at best. The plot crawls along lethargically, and dialogue is woefully humorless and bland. Whatever happened to the heart-pounding tension and excitement that we've come to expect of a children's fantasy adventure? The movie ultimately doesn't quite deliver. By the unfortunate end, it leaves you feeling bereft and dissatisfied.
|
||||||||||
