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Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Bill Murray, Martin Landau, Mary Kay Place ... see more see more... , Toby Jones , Marianne Jean-Baptiste , MacKenzie Crook , Tim Robbins , Amy Quinn , Catherine Quinn , David Ryall , Ian McElhinney , B.J. Hogg , Lucinda Dryzek , Matt Jessup , Lara McIvor , Miles Thompson , Eoin McAndrew , Rachel Morton , Conor MacNeill , Lorraine Hilton , Liam Burke , Liz Smith , Simon Kunz , Frankie McCafferty , Heathcote Williams , Maureen Dow , Becky Stark , Brid Ni Chionaola , Mark Mulholland , Valerie O'Connor , Ann Queensbury

Monster House director Gil Kenan takes the helm for this children's fantasy about two young heroes who attempt to solve an ancient mystery in time to prevent their underground city from being swallowe... read more read more...d by darkness. The City of Ember was built over 200 year ago, deep below the earth, where the destruction of a mass-scale disaster couldn't reach it. Equipped with a massive generator and vast supplies, the people of Ember have thrived happily for generations -- but the city wasn't meant to be lived in forever. The generator is breaking down and the supplies are running out, but two centuries in isolation have robbed the Emberites of their knowledge -- nobody knows how the electric lights work anymore, and nobody understands that there's something beyond the city besides darkness. Nobody, that is, besides Lina (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon (Harry Treadaway), two teenagers who still have the hope that everyone else has lost to ignorance and apathy -- not to mention a sheet of instructions left by the Builders themselves explaining how to leave the city. But the 200-year-old paper is falling apart, and pieces are missing. So with the lights threatening to flicker out for the last time and leave Ember in darkness forever, Lina and Doon set out on an adventure through the streets, sewers, and dark caverns of Ember to put the pieces back together. To solve the mystery, they'll have to get inside the Builders' heads, and avoid the grasp of corrupt Mayor Cole (Bill Murray), who wants to keep Ember the way it is -- no matter what the cost. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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47% liked it

61,177 ratings

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53% liked it

123 critics

PG, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Gil Kenan

Release Date: September 25, 2008

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DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009

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Stats: 3,097 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (3,097)

  • 3niR
    February 17, 2012
    3niR
    It's a weird movie. But wasn't boring. Watchable.
  • fb535316333
    September 24, 2011
    fb535316333
    This movie has so much promise for its demographic. The themes, the visuals, the actors... but none of it comes together in a truly compelling manner that would move an older audience.

    In the end it's a coming-of-age movie full of obvious metaphors, allegory, themes and a cast ... read moreof two dimensional characters that represent them.

    It's not bad, a pretty decent entry-level into the SciFi genre for younger generations. But I suppose the inaccessibility of the movie for us "old" folks brought about its own demise.
  • MrsInsomnia
    January 3, 2011
    MrsInsomnia
    Well, it's been a long time since I had watched this but I remember that I was some kind of disappointed of the young actors and also from the whole direction.
  • skeletonking101
    January 1, 2011
    skeletonking101
    Very, very weird, but in a good way
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    December 29, 2010
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    It's kinda of a boring story and there's really no action till the end. Still it was interesting and i enjoyed it. Watch it once and that will be enough.

    The Futuristic Story Tale of

    in September 14, 2088 A.D of the Future., A Nuclear War. The builders of Ember left instruction... read mores to the mayors in a box that would open by itself. Unfortunately, one of the mayors died without telling someone what the box was and it got tossed into a closet, where it was forgotten for generations.

    The year is September 18, 2416 A.D of the Future. After the War. Lina Mayfleet, and Doon Harrow are two children in Ember who find themselves on a mission to save their dying city. The city's lights are beginning to flicker and food supplies are running out.

    Doon lands a job at the Pipeworks where he wants to try to repair the failing generator. Lina's job is simple - she is a messenger, but she soon finds herself in over her head when she discovers the box of instructions left by the builders so long ago.

    Doon and she find themselves on a wild adventure when they discover the way out of Ember, but corrupt officials and a treacherous mayor stand against their wish to save the city. With courage and heart they brave the darkness - all to help their fellow citizens escape the dying city.
  • ajaymuthecooldevils
    October 23, 2010
    ajaymuthecooldevils
    A pretty good movie based on a novel about the civilization of human race that been moved into an underground city named Ember to protect their race from extinction... I must say that the author of the novel was really smart person for creating a novel that have a great story... ... read moreThe visual effects in this movie was stunning I think, because they build a city that different from another city and of course it looks rusty because this city is build over 200 years ago... Saoirse Ronan and Harry Treadaway did a really great job as the main character of this movie, while the appearance of Tim Robbins and Bill Murray for their small role in this movie helps a little... With the open ending they have here, I hope for another sequel 'People of Sparks', but with the failure from this movie in box office ladder, I doubt they will plan a sequel for this movie...
  • Tomassgringo
    October 21, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    Kind of a futuristic movie for kids. An ok way to kill 1.5 hours if there is nothing else to watch or do.
  • MrMarakai
    October 5, 2010
    MrMarakai
    Is it really possible that a kids adventure film can be dull and uneventful? Well..."City of Ember" is proof that, yes, it can be.
    Based on the novel by Jeanne Duprau, it tells the story of Lina (Ronan) and Doon (Treadaway) who live in an underground city named 'Ember'. It is li... read moret only by electric lamps, whose inhabitants have no light sources. The darkness beyond their city hold unknown things and possible salvation, so they decide to find a way out, as 'Ember' is falling to pieces and what little power supply they have left, is running out.
    There is next to nothing to recommend here, with the one exception being a nice and almost unrecognisable appearance from Martin Landau. What the hell Tim Robbins and Bill Murray where thinking of by getting involved in this stinker, I'll never know. They are way above this tedious nonsense.
    One for definite avoidance unless your suffering a bout of insomnia.
  • ironclad1609
    August 30, 2010
    ironclad1609
    This lovely adventure movie for older kids and young adults works mostly thanks to the excellent set design, creating a unique, atmospheric underground city with lots of fun gadgets, where survivors of mankind are waiting for the return to the surface of earth. While the mayor (e... read morexcellent: Bill Murray) seems to have his own plans, two kids are actively seeking for a way up. The film is fast-paced, with likable characters and a fun showdown with hidden doors, water rides and secret maps. The last scene is particularly beautiful. Oddly and undeservedly, this film remained somewhat unnoticed, although a lot more people could have fun with this.
  • deano
    April 4, 2010
    deano
    I never knew this is based on the children's novel with thrilling sci-fi and adventure, it is a solid family film that most audiences should enjoy regardless of age, gender or anything else; good entertainment, and a wonderful story to remember at that.
    The design of the film is ... read moregreat, but as in design, the beauty is found in the details.
    For the most part, the casting is on target; Saoirse Ronan seems a lot more engaging and appealing here than she did just in Atonement, and Harry Treadway, although looking like a refugee from High School Musical, is just as impressive. Tim Robbins is excellent in a small, but pivotal role, as is Martin Landau (whatever became of him?) as the requisite old-guy-who-sort-of-knows-stuff. The only puzzling casting is that of Bill Murray as the town's jovial mayor; he seems glib and cheerful enough, but it almost feels like he's being ironic, rather than being a part of the story. Often, this sort of approach makes for a hammy performance, but Murray's too subtle here for pure hamminess; he's more like a square peg in a round hole.

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Critic Reviews

Ben Mankiewicz
November 10, 2008
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies

It's an unfortunate end to a promising movie. Full Review

Ben Lyons
November 10, 2008
Ben Lyons, At the Movies

Ultimately, it didn't move me in any way. Full Review

Claudia Puig
October 10, 2008
Claudia Puig, USA Today

Even if it occasionally goes off course, City of Ember provides audiences with a thought-provoking and family-friendly adventure. Full Review

Susan Walker
October 10, 2008
Susan Walker, Toronto Star

A thrilling adventure tale and teen fantasy that is grounded in real concerns about who is managing the planet. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
October 10, 2008
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

The story, based on Jeanne Duprau's novel of the same name, is beautifully constructed. It builds until it reaches the point that it's one edge-of-your-seat moment after another. Full Review

Peter Travers
October 10, 2008
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Except for watching Bill Murray get attacked by a giant mole (something unique in Billy boy's career so far) this sci-fi fantasy aimed at kids feels wan and warmed over.

James Berardinelli
October 10, 2008
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

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. Full Review

Roger Moore
October 10, 2008
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Both light entertainment and smart, subversive literature, urging the young to think for themselves, question authority and make their own destiny. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
October 10, 2008
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

And though the film ultimately falls short of its considerable promise, there's more than enough here to keep thoughtful moviegoers - of any age - intrigued. Full Review

Colin Covert
October 10, 2008
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Splendidly cast, intelligent, graphically inventive romp. Full Review

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