Fans of Orson Scott Card’s 1985 military science fiction novel, Ender’s Game, will be disappointed with Gavin Hood’s film adaptation. Although the film passes as an action flick, it fails to convey the book’s rich content and deeper themes of life and morality.
Set in the future, Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford) recruits the young Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield) for training at Battle School, in preparation for anticipated attacks by an alien race known as the “Buggers” (changed to “Formics” in the film).
The film adaptation fails to capture the complex relationships between the three Wiggin children, and over-simplifies the relationships between Ender, his classmates, and the authorities at Battle School. Ender’s loving connection with his sister, Valentine (Abigail Breslin), is downplayed in favour of an implied romantic relationship with Petra (Hailee Steinfeld). Ender’s older brother, Peter (Jimmy Pinchak), barely makes an appearance. The movie also cuts out the entire plotline of Earth’s political turmoil.
Understandably, the novel’s focus on interior thoughts and feelings is lost in translation in the film adaptation, resulting in a lack of subtlety and unconvincing plot development. Many lines come off as awkward, out of context, and forced — Butterfield often states aloud what Ender only thinks to himself in the book. The story also progresses far too quickly, with no indication of time lapse through montage sequences.
The acting, though not particularly impressive, is definitely effective. The climatic battles are especially well done, and the necessary intensity is conveyed with the help of a great soundtrack. The visuals and setting hold promise and grandeur. Nevertheless, the battle strategies and formations so poignant to the novel are underwhelming in the film; there are few long shots to display the scale and big picture.
Ender’s Game is undoubtedly a difficult novel to adapt faithfully. The film — constructed to appeal to the masses — succeeds as an interesting action movie for entertainment purposes. Certainly, it can be greatly enjoyed by casual viewers who haven’t read the book, though many are boycotting the film because of Card’s outspoken opposition to same-sex marriage. The film fails as a memorable representation of the novel’s philosophical nature.
