Writer: Nur Safina Othman

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Watch this if you liked: "Jumanji", "Back To The Future", "Children Of Men"

Before it was a movie, there was a book. Written by Jeanne DuPrau back in 2003, The City Of Ember is a self-contained country made by 'The Builders' 200 years ago to protect humankind from disaster. The story tells us that a box was provided and programmed to automatically open after 200 years to reveal instructions on how to return to the surface.

Two friends, Lina Mayfleet (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon Harrow (Harry Treadaway) who live in the City Of Ember try to find their way out from the city with instructions left by the Builders. They have to go through tough obstacles set up by Mayor Cole (Bill Murray) but the two do not give up on their quest.

Directed by Gil Kenan, the movie appears lacking in adventure and action. It takes a long time before anything actually happens. There are quite a few special effects in this movie. However the gigantic creature is a bit typical, just like the usual monster antagonists in other films. The city's name is clear in it's appearance. It glows just like ember. Since people have been living there for more than 200 years, the "old" production design for the city is quite fitting.

Well, there's nothing bad either about the performance of the two leads, Ronan and Treadaway. However, Bill Murray's take on the lead villain is rather boring. Still, decorated veteran actor Martin Landau appears as Sul, and his performance is very entertaining in this movie as a person who sticks to his job no matter what happens in the world.

Even though this movie is safe to watch with your family, a lot of kids will get bored easily just waiting for some action. Although this movie would fail to entertain some, it's not really a horrible movie - it's just a bland one.

Cinema Online, 12 March 2009