Ender’s Game (2/11/2014)

Rated PG-13 for some violence, sci-fi action and thematic material.

Starring Harrison Ford, Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin and Ben Kingsley

Directed by Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine)

Another award-winning bestseller successfully made into a blockbuster movie.

In the near future, a hostile alien race (called the Formics) have attacked Earth. If not for the legendary heroics of International Fleet Commander Mazer Rackham, all would have been lost. In preparation for the next attack, the highly esteemed Colonel Hyrum Graff (Harrison Ford) and the International Military are training only the best and brightest…young children. Ender Wiggin (Asa Butterfield), a shy, but brilliant boy is pulled out of his school to join the elite fighting force.

Long before Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight franchise, there was Orson Scott Card’s Ender saga. A short story that has evolved into a series of 16 (soon to be 17) books, Ender’s Game is a classic underdog story – and I’m a sucker for the underdog.

I walked into the theater knowing less than nothing about the story of Ender’s Game – honestly that’s how I love to start a movie. I mention that for two reasons, one, you don’t have to know anything about the book in order to enjoy the film. And two, they use a perfect balance of narration and visual effects to explain what has happened in “Earth’s history.”

The film also has wonderful visuals and exciting CGI, especially the Battle Room, but the acting by Harrison Ford and Asa Butterfield is an even bigger strength. They maintain a tense and believable relationship, which makes us care about both of them.

Not being familiar with the story, the ending caught me by surprise and made me wrestle with issues I never expected to think about walking into a sci-fi film for teenagers. I won’t ruin the ending for you, I’ll just say the film is much heavier than I ever imagined.

The emotion in the last 20 minutes is very real, and anyone willing to give this film a try will not be disappointed…it’s “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This is a very clean PG-13 film. There is no profanity, sex or nudity. I think it is fine for teenagers.

CONVERSATION STARTER

1. How would you describe Ender when we first see him?


2. Why was he chosen for this great task?


3. Read the story of Samuel anointing David as King in 1 Samuel 16:1-13:
   
   Now the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”

   2 But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

   “Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.”

   4 So Samuel did as the Lord instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?”

   5 “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.

   6 When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!”

   7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

   8 Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” 9 Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the Lord has chosen.” 10 In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

   “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

   “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

   12 So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.

   And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.”

   13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

   
   
4. How would you describe David in this story?


5. Why was he chosen to be king?


6. How would you describe yourself?


7. What do you think God wants to do with your life?