Fantasy Film Friday #3

Is it Friday already?!  This past week went by fast.  Anyway we are here to discuss a brand new film that may or may not ever be made.  This is the place to discuss why or why not a film should be made.  This week in the arena...."Ender's Game"!!

For those of you not up to speed on this amazing science fiction classic written by Orson Scott Card, here is a quick break down of the plot: A young school age boy enters Battle School were he learns all about the art of war.  He turns out to be very good at it.  But in the end, what is REALLY going on at the school?

This of course leaves much out because I never like to give too much of the plot away.  This movie has been in development hell for the better part of 10 years now.  It actually has a writer/director attached now (Gavin Hood) so we shall see.  What do you think about this movie being made?  What do you expect from it?  Is there any way it could live up to your expectations?  You can see my thoughts below, but please comment and let me know what YOU think!!


So admittedly it has been a REALLY long time since I have read this book.  I remember the basics so I will just go with that.  Since war is always going to be something in our lives, this film will definitely have resonance in today's society.  The themes of teaching kids about war to train them for the future is something that could become a reality.  Our kids are getting recruited at a younger and younger age.  They may not be able to get into the service until 18, but that doesn't stop the armed forces from starting the recruitment process WAY before that.  I remember getting spoken to in 7th grade.  I know it happens earlier than that in some cases today.  So I feel this could become a movie that may speak of the issues of turning into a military state.  As long as it doesn't become too preachy this could be a great message.

Of course the sci-fi element is appealing to me.  They will need to pull off some nifty tricks to make the anti-gravity scenes look cool without being over the top.  Like all good sci-fi films the tech never outweighs the human aspect of the film.  These kids need to be in the forefront.  If we lose track of the fact that Ender is a young human boy, we lose the film.

That is my thoughts on it.  Those of you who have read it more recently probably have more to say.  Please do so!!!