"Ender's Game" may not be the break-out critical hit Summit Entertainment was hoping for; the film is receiving mixed reviews ahead of its Nov. 1 release date.
Based on the Orson Scott Card novel, the film tells the story of Ender Wiggin who is chosen by the International Fleet to command an army against aliens attempting to destroy humankind.
The book was described as unfilmmable and has thus far scored mixed reviews. Sara Stewart from the New York Post gave the film a positive review and stated, "A big, dark film that should satisfy the many fans of the Orson Scott Card novel and engage newcomers, too."
Soren Anderson of the Chicago Tribune also gave the film positive marks and wrote, "Butterfield, with piercing gaze and singular intensity, brings novelist Orson Scott Card's signature child hero to full and vivid life in filmmaker Gavin Hood's epic adaptation of Card's sci-fi classic, 'Ender's Game.'"
Peter Debruge from Variety was also positive and said, "Against considerable odds, this risky-sounding Orson Scott Card adaptation actually works, as director Gavin Hood pulls off the sort of teen-targeted franchise starter Summit was hoping for."
Meanwhile, Manhola Dargis of the New York Times gave the film a negative review. "Childhood can be tough in movies, but rarely do screen children suffer for our sins as they do here," wrote Dargis.
Joe Morgenstern from the Wall Street Journal agreed: "Not only does 'Ender's Game' have many scenes in zero gravity, but this zero-sum fiasco has zero drama, zero suspense, zero humor, zero charm and zero appeal."
"Ender's Game" stars Asa Butterfield, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley, Harrison Ford, Viola Davis and Abigail Breslin. The movie will be released in 3,407 theaters and is expected to win the box office.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
