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City of Ember (2008) 6.5
Ratings:
6.5/10 from 49,851 users
Metascore: 58/100
Reviews: 99 user | 117 critic | 27 from Metacritic.com For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Director:Gil Kenan |
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Title: City of Ember (2008)
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5 nominations.
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| David Ryall | ... | ||
| Ian McElhinney | ... |
Builder
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| Harry Treadaway | ... | ||
| Tim Robbins | ... | ||
| Bill Murray | ... | ||
| B.J. Hogg | ... |
Mayor's Guard
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| Toby Jones | ... | ||
| Lucinda Dryzek | ... | ||
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Matt Jessup | ... | |
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Lara McIvor | ... | |
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Myles Thompson | ... | |
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Eoin McAndrew | ... |
Student
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Rachel Morton | ... |
Student
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| Conor MacNeill | ... |
Student
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Lorraine Hilton | ... | |
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Plot Summary
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Plot Synopsis
Storyline
When mankind is about to come to an end, a group of scientists decide to create and populate a city deep underground. The city of Ember is to last for 200 years after which its inhabitants are to retrieve from a strong box instructions to return to the surface. Over time however, the message is lost and life in Ember is rapidly deteriorating. Their power supply is failing and food is being rationed. It's left to two young adults to unearth the secret of Ember and to lead the way out. Written by garykmcd
Taglines:
Lights out. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated PG for mild peril and some thematic elements | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
10 October 2008 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Cidade das Sombras See more »Filming Locations:
Belfast Methodist College, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK See more »Box Office
Budget:
$55,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
£496,909 (UK) (10 October 2008)Gross:
$7,871,693 (USA) (9 January 2009)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
ColorAspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1
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Written by Becky Stark
Performed by Becky Stark and the Citizens of Ember
Becky Stark appears courtesy of Matador Records
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Did You Know?
Trivia
During the filming of city of ember in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the main city was all built in a paint house. The actors and extras were given maps as it was nearly as big as a small town. See more »Goofs
The second boat to launch is not there when Doon pulls the lever on their boat and it is not at the bottom of the stairs after the ride. See more »Quotes
Lina Mayfleet: [She's holding the mysterious box, looking at the numbers in its l.e.d. count-down panel, while talking to Clary, and she starts crying] How am I ever gonna figure out what this is all about? It's all these zeros. That's what scares me the most. What would count down to nothing?See more »
Soundtracks
Ember Is ForeverWritten by Becky Stark
Performed by Becky Stark and the Citizens of Ember
Becky Stark appears courtesy of Matador Records
See more »
If the only thing City of Ember does is show that Belfast can play host to high concept movies, then it was worthwhile, but no doubt, it was aiming for more than that. Perhaps to stand next to such fare as Harry Potter, or a Pixar flick.
Unfortunately, it falls short, but only just. This is without doubt, an exciting romp about two coming-of-age children who break out of the mold forced on them by the dying Ember, and in doing so, change everything. The acting is solid, the set design and music excellent. The concept, the builders of Ember leaving behind secret instructions to get back to the world, is genuinely engaging.
Unfortunately, they don't get to these instructions fast enough, and a lot of time is spent wandering around the, albeit, beautiful city. Often times there is a lack of a perceived threat. Despite being replete with a nefarious mayor and a mutated mole (like the massive moths, never explained), the story uses neither of these things enough, leaving some scenes to be propelled solely by the heroes following the by-the-numbers instructions left to them. Worst of all, the ending feels like a poor man's Goonies.
In the director's corner, he is guilty of some slow scenes, but what is almost unforgivable is the flat looks of the actors during intense CGI action. Somebody wasn't thinking ahead.
Nonetheless, a charming film that I hope made enough money to spawn treatment of the books sequels.