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 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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6.6

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 67 Ratings

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CITY OF EMBER

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Movie Details & Credits

Fox-Walden | Release Date: October 10, 2008

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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Metascore

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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

ReelViews - 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

L.A. Weekly - 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

Philadelphia Inquirer - 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

Boston Globe - 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

Austin Chronicle - 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

Chicago Reader - 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

JenniferS

Nov 16, 2009

The plot has potential meaning and mostly fulfilled this. But yes, empty spots in this movie, a few, it feels like. A bit too scary for PG... I am 20 and for someone as aiming as I am, that sewer rat, that had the face of some species of sea creature, had me closing my eyes or looking away; The plot has potential meaning and mostly fulfilled this. But yes, empty spots in this movie, a few, it feels like. A bit too scary for PG... I am 20 and for someone as aiming as I am, that sewer rat, that had the face of some species of sea creature, had me closing my eyes or looking away; it made the movie much more explanatory, by far- but it would give quite a fright to even a good-hearted 8 year old. I gave this a decent, hard rating. Definitely a keeper at some point.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Bikerjames

Jan 20, 2015

I caught this film on HBO and had never heard of it. I did not read the book so I can't comment on the adaptation, but I thought the look of the underground world alone was enough to recommend the movie. The acting throughout is good, but the characters did seem underdeveloped. There areI caught this film on HBO and had never heard of it. I did not read the book so I can't comment on the adaptation, but I thought the look of the underground world alone was enough to recommend the movie. The acting throughout is good, but the characters did seem underdeveloped. There are a lot of big name stars in the film but they are not used to their potential, most of them getting little screen time. Bill Murray was the best part of the movie (other than the look and sets). If they would have made us care more about the characters this could have been a special film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JayH.

Jan 17, 2009

Imaginative, but I was not enthralled with the special effects, although they aren't bad. Good performances, interesting story, creative art direction. The score was quite good.

0 of 0 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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