City of Ember

PG

Released Oct 10, 2008

1 hr. 35 min.

Kids & Family

Fantasy

Adventure

List

53%

131 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

For generations a massive generator has sustained the needs of the underground city of Ember. But the generator was built to last only 200 years, and as its lights start to flicker and fade, it remains to two youths, Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway), to follow a cryptic series of clues that will restore light to to the place.

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Critics Consensus

City of Ember is visually arresting, and boasts a superb cast, but is sadly lacking in both action and adventure.

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Krishna K

Its a great Movie, loved it, I searched hours for more movies like this, its Amazing, critics did not do justice, its unfair

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Elvis D

Producida por Tom Hanks y basada en la novela del mismo nombre, City Of Ember es una película de ciencia ficción para niños con una influencia hacia La Alegoría De La Caverna y THX 1138. Una historia que transcurre 200 años después de una guerra nuclear y donde la humanidad tiene que vivir en una ciudad subterránea cuya fuente de energía empieza a colapsar. Los protagonistas son dos jóvenes cuyos caminos se cruzan por el destino y eso los llevara a descubrir lo que puede haber más allá de las fronteras de la ciudad. La historia es sencilla y al principio no llama mucho la atención. Ya a la mitad de la película, cuando los dos chicos comienzan a indagar más y descubrir la conexión que existe con respeto al pasado de sus padres, la historia se vuelve más interesante y comienza a llamar la atención. Lo único es que al ser una adaptación de una novela, hay momentos que pasan rápido o se saltean. Por suerte no pierde de vista la trama principal. Es una película bien producida, con buenos planos, buena fotografía y efectos digitales decentes. Es una historia bien contada que mantiene el interés por este mundo y pudo servir como primera parte de una saga. Es una pena que en su momento haya fracasado en taquilla y eso impidió que se pudieran adaptar las demás novelas de la saga. Además, es una película que ha quedado en el olvido y tenía potencial para ser una buena saga. City Of Ember es una de esas películas de los 2000 a las que hay que darles una oportunidad, aunque sea solo una vez. Mi calificación final para esta película es un 9/10.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/24

Full Review

Nate C

Amber is a film that attempts to delve into complex themes but ultimately fails to deliver a compelling narrative. The plot feels disjointed, and the character development lacks depth, leaving the audience disconnected from the story. Despite some promising moments, the overall execution falls short, resulting in a disappointing viewing experience.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I loved the movie! It was so good! So much action. Don’t listen to the other people who say it’s terrible and shallow. It is amazing and you should totally watch it!!!! It is the best PG movie in existence. I strongly disagree with the critics. It was the best!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

Maggie G

I liked how this movie had an intelligent, courageous, energetic female protag (Lina), and a more serious, logical, counterpart. (Doon) I'd have to say, my least favorite character was the Mayor and my favorite Was Lina. The movie took place in the future, which I thought was slightly cliche for a 2000s Sci fi movie. There wasn't much action throughout the movie, except for the end. Overall my thoughts on it are the characters are cool, but there's not much action.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/31/23

Full Review

Drem W

Movie wasn't good at all nothing good like action and was really boring do not watch

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

05/24/23

Full Review

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Gil Kenan

Director

Saoirse Ronan

Lina Mayfleet

Harry Treadaway

Doon Harrow

Bill Murray

Mayor Cole

Tim Robbins

Loris

Martin Landau

Sul

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Mark Holcomb

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Sandra Hall

Sydney Morning Herald

Murray playing the glutton doesn't exactly fit the bill and for all the architectural care that's gone into Ember's creation, the secret at its heart is no mystery to us, the audience.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 12, 2008

Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

Murray is always good to have around, and so are Tim Robbins, who plays Doon's defeated father, and Martin Landau as one of the drones who tries to keep the city in working order. The young actors are excellent.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 12, 2008

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The story’s science fiction foundation becomes nothing more than your run-of-the-mill adventure yarn, abandoning its thought-provoking ideas for something much less satisfying.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 20, 2024

Full Review

Linda Cook

AWFJ.org

This enchanting science-fiction story has a female protagonist who's so courageous and smart you'll wish she were your daughter...

Oct 5, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

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.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 28, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

For generations a massive generator has sustained the needs of the underground city of Ember. But the generator was built to last only 200 years, and as its lights start to flicker and fade, it remains to two youths, Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway), to follow a cryptic series of clues that will restore light to to the place.

Director: Gil Kenan
Screenwriter: Caroline Thompson
Production Co: Playtone Productions, Walden Media
Rating: PG (Some Thematic Elements|Mild Peril)
Genre: Kids & Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 10, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.9M

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