City of Ember

Name: City of Ember
Genre: Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Family
Released: October 10, 2008
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 58
Cast: Bill Murray, Toby Jones

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 27 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings

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6.4

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6.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 83 Ratings

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City Of Ember

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox-Walden | Release Date: October 10, 2008 | PG

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 ancientFor 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

Director: Gil Kenan

Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

TV Guide Magazine Cammila Albertson

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. Read full review

James Berardinelli

City of Ember has almost anything one could want from a science fiction-based family adventure film: likeable characters, an imaginative setting, and a fast pace. Read full review

Ed Gonzales

The story subtly evokes Rand and scripture, colliding secular and spiritual values, and, as such, appeals to the blue- and red-minded alike. Read full review

Steven Rea

All the running, the hiding, the escaping (from giant moles, from giant Murray) are decidedly less exciting, and compelling, than City of Ember wants to be. Read full review

Ty Burr

City of Ember lacks the vision and scope of "WALL-E," but it's based on a pretty good kids' book and it makes a pretty good "Twilight Zone" episode, with hope dangling at the end rather than one of Rod Serling's cosmic black jokes. Read full review

Marc Savlov

Ultimately, it's undone by the overfamiliar nature of Doon and Lina's quest, the outcome of which, while breathlessly paced, is never really in question. Read full review

J.R. Jones

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. Read full review

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User Reviews

JonathanS

Jun 5, 2009

City of Ember is a fine thrilling film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

kinloch

Feb 19, 2016

A great film set withing a very interesting setting with a brilliant soundtrack that really helps set the mood of the film. There are some differences from the book however the core plot line is followed and there are plenty of references in the film that readers of the book will get. TheA great film set withing a very interesting setting with a brilliant soundtrack that really helps set the mood of the film. There are some differences from the book however the core plot line is followed and there are plenty of references in the film that readers of the book will get. The film does rush some parts and I feel that it would have benefited with a longer run time with more development of the characters and location. The film does contain what appears to be some plot holes however most of these can be explained away. It is a shame that it is unlikely there will be a sequel.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

jelenabiebs31

Jan 13, 2016

Follows the book pretty well. Started off slow but it turned out to be a cute family film, worth at least a one time watch.

Watch it online for free: https://www.primewire.ag/watch-26-City-of-Ember-online-free

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Darren

Oct 16, 2008

If you go to see a kids movie, then expect to be entertained, drop your expectations for a super fantastic film. Some films exceed childish expectations and give you more than you paid for, others don't. I expected the film to immerse my childish mind into a world that I saw in the If you go to see a kids movie, then expect to be entertained, drop your expectations for a super fantastic film. Some films exceed childish expectations and give you more than you paid for, others don't. I expected the film to immerse my childish mind into a world that I saw in the trailers. I thought the film did a great job of creating a world that was totally dependant on the light the generator was made for. It had enough suspense for an eight year old to forget the obvious plot holes and shortcomings. But most children don't look for faults, they look for peril, action and adventure. And for that goal alone, it was achieved. Were there plot holes, of course there were. Why would mankind put enough idiots in the city and hope that two kids were born to solve all the problems? How could a box that was in every mayors portrait be able to be lost and fogotten. Or that one person alone would only know what his one dial would be for and not the rest? For the good of mankind we'll have a bunch of idiots kept safe. I don't think that was the plan, but thats what they seemed to film. Overall, I enjoyed the film. I got lost in the city, and the fresh idea that mankind came up with a solution to the disaster that would come; rather than have the US come up with some plan to save the day and be all heroic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Adson

Oct 12, 2014

Enjoyable movie, I was expecting something better from the end, good acting, I didn't get it what was the relationship between the headlines characters. The script could be better but for the public is good.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HyperS

Jan 15, 2009

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 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 found this helpful

TommyBoy

Oct 25, 2008

Walked out after the first 15 minutes. Could tell from the "get-go" this movie was going to be another Hollywood "craper". Got a pass for my next time movie outing. Note: If you leave a theater and your only into less then 20-30 minutes of the movie..most theaters will give you a refund in Walked out after the first 15 minutes. Could tell from the "get-go" this movie was going to be another Hollywood "craper". Got a pass for my next time movie outing. Note: If you leave a theater and your only into less then 20-30 minutes of the movie..most theaters will give you a refund in the form of a "Pass" to another movie of your choice at that time or another day.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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