La Cité de l'ombre

An enjoyable fantastic fairytale about the right values presented in a tasteful, non-violent and entertaining way. Moreover, it is set in a stunning backdrop and features a cast of lovable characters led by Bill Murray and Saoirse Ronan. I have the book at home, but somehow I still haven't gotten around to reading it. Now I'm sure I'll fix that soon, and I'm counting on the book to fill in the few not-quite-explained miraculous coincidences that were about the only thing in the film that creaked here and there towards the end. (28/10/2015)

Before watching this movie, I was in doubt if Gil Kenan was capable of making a good adventure movie, however, this movie convinced me that he really can. Saoirse Ronan surprised me a lot with her talented acting ability, and pleasant demeanor, while Harry Treadaway acted like he was unimpressed, and overly mature. The soundtrack was also a very good feast for the ears, giving the movie a real edge. I must also commend the screenplay, which (unlike Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D) is quite unpredictable (even though the happy ending was pretty predictable), and left a good impression. I also liked the set design (the underground city looks really cool), the special effects and some illogicalities in the plot (the final voyage to the surface) were the only things to bring the rating down to three stars. (24/02/2009)

I haven't heard much about the movie "City of Ember". I understand why, because it's not something extraordinary that is worth seeing immediately after its premiere. In fact, I didn't even know that it was showing in our cinemas. But it was, and we were able to watch the story about an underground city and a certain box. The box was created two hundred years ago. But it got lost a little, and people don't really know what it's actually for. However, the right girl finds it. She is part of the upcoming job lottery. Every young person has to draw a job that they will perform. Lina (Saoirse Ronan) was supposed to become a pipe repairer, but in the end she traded with Doon and became a messenger. She delivers messages that need to be quickly delivered. Based on them, she learns that something is wrong in the city and that the mayor (Bill Murray) may not have the best intentions for the city. The fact that the electricity is going out and the whole city is falling into darkness is also not a positive factor. But Lina finds that box. At that moment, the movie turns into a puzzle-solving. Previous generations prepared something and Lina and Doon have to figure out what it is. Like they are putting together one big puzzle that needs to fit together. As a child, I always had a weakness for such mysteries, for "treasure hunting", which I still haven't lost today. But this time, it lacks tension. The characters are destined to find the treasure and their journey, although they try to be difficult, is actually quite easy. There isn't a real villain who would stand in their way. There are occasionally moments that try to be suspenseful, but the movie is actually quite simple. The visual side and the city of Ember itself are interesting. But that's all. We then follow a pair of uninteresting characters who try to save the world, even though something more interesting might be happening to someone else in the city. It's nice to take a peek, but as a whole, the movie is rather boring. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/12/wtc-yes-man-mary-max-zambezia-cerna.html (02/03/2013)

Certainly City of Ember isn't the dud that most would-be sci-fi from this year (2010) has been. For a while I was even considering a weaker 4 stars, but for that City of Ember has weak art direction, some pretty boilerplate characters, and some not-so-effective digital effects. Pity. 65-70%. (04/06/2010)