It’s been since ’97 since I first read Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card and decided with my friends that it would make a great movie. The time has finally come. The much anticipated release of my childhood book, November 1st couldn’t come faster. It’s like Christmas to me. And a perfect birthday gift (for those who know me *wink wink nudge nudge*)
The question begs, as of all books that become movies, will the movie hold up to the books reputation? Well, Gavin Hood isn’t unfamiliar in Toronto’s film scene as his film Tsotsi was Toronto’s Film Festival People’s Choice Award winner and more recently in the Hollywood scene, X-Men Origins: Wolverine has gained him some shine. With these 2 big hits under his belt, he has strong cast of academy award nominees and Harrison Ford, he has lots of talent to work with. Most of the cast is young, as it deals with children (and subsequently child actors, although most of them in their teens) but a lot of them have a few movies under wings as well.
Asa Butterfield stars as Ender Wiggin as a child soldier in the future where “buggers”, the alien race, has practically destroyed earth. Earth has come up with an alliance to train soldiers from the beginning as a child to send them into battle command to win the war with “buggers”. Mr. Ford plays Colonel Graff who is in charge of training these children. And we all know how awesome Mr. Ford is. A well fitted role to play Colonel Graff as the commander. The story takes us through Wiggin’s training and the relentless physical and mental breakdown Graff puts the children through.Dealing with a cast of young actors with some well known established actors can be a good balance to draw out the talen on the screen.
As well, coming from Gavin Hood, if Tsotsi is to say anything about the calibre of film making Gavin Hood does, then I’d expect Ender’s Game to be well composed, cinematic and moving. Even though the book deals with children, there are some very deep mature themes regarding humanity. Drawing from Tsotsi, it wouldn’t be Gavin Hood’s first time dealing with such dramatic emotions on the screen and would translate well into Ender’s Game.
There are some fantastic scenes in the book I hope would translate well into the screen, with Gavin Hood at the helm and academy award nominees with Harrison Ford, I have high expectations for this movie and extremely excited to catch it on the big screen.
“Remember, the gate is down” – Ender’s Game
Catch you in the battle room!