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City of Ember
City of Ember Image
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Metascore
58 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critics What's this?

User Score
6.2 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Bill Murray, Toby Jones
  • Summary: For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights - underground. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing . . . and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, in a race against time, the citizens must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and escape before the lights go out forever. (FoxWalden)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Cammila Albertson
    88
    A fun and moving family film with a subtly dark feel rarely seen in kids' movies since the '80s, City of Ember succeeds despite its shortcomings, not only because of its fun and inspiring story, but because most of its flaws are things kids won't notice anyway.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    60
    Though the film ultimately falls short of its considerable promise, there's more than enough here to keep thoughtful moviegoers - of any age - intrigued.
  3. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: J.R. Jones
    30
    A murky, directionless plot sinks this big-budget fantasy despite Martin Laing's elaborate production design; the dark, industrial-looking sets often recall "Brazil" but without that film's thrilling sense of an imagination run amok.

See all 27 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 19
  3. Negative: 4 out of 19
  1. JonathanS
    10
    City of Ember is a fine thrilling film.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. HyperS
    5
    If I had to compare this movie to one thing I'd say its like a Disney World log-flume ride gone amok. Lots of absurd and pointless over-the-top mechanisms round out an end-of-the-world story filled with so many obvious plot holes that it leaves the viewer with a "Huh?" as the movie reaches its conclusion. So where did the 5 rating come from? The adventure/mystery style of this movie reminds me of old puzzle/adventure video games [Myst,etc] that I liked as a kid and since its a kid's movie I can overlook the implausibility of the plot line enough to give it a 5. A young kid probably wouldn't mind all the plot holes so for them maybe this movie is a 7 or 8. Final word though to the builders: Elevator!… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. JC
    3
    An utter waste. Three points for the cast, which does what it can with one of the weakest screenplays ever adapted from a very good children's book. The special effects towards the end were laughable. The spirit and tone and themes of the book were completely lost or ignored. Skip the movie, read the book.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 19 User Reviews

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