Movie Review: City Of Ember

Mystery abounds in this story which revolves around a futuristic society with some hidden messages. Left to their own devices a previous generation has sought a way to protect their heirs and the world at large. Too bad for them there was an unraveling of the master plan some years later and now this society is facing its darkest moments.

Led by a mercurial Mayor Cole the inhabitants of Ember are constantly living in a stare of fear. No one is allowed outside the closed community and time is running out. Despite the best efforts to keep the generator alive power is at an obvious premium with no end in sight to the blackouts and the depletion of other essentials for life.

Two youths get caught up in this tide of despair. Young Doon Harrow has a knack for the trades and his ingenuity comes in handy with the help of friend Lizzie Bisco. Together these two do what they can to find a solution to the desperate straights members of the community find themselves in.

Full of a dark tinged atmosphere of fear City of Ember plays out well as a doom and gloom fantasy with enough twists and turns to keep viewers intrigued. Liberal use of clues helps give this story a treasure-map like aura which is helped considerably by the charming British actors who bring Doon and Lizzie to life. Both Harry Treadaway and Lucinda Dryzek (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl) stand tall as kids willing to risk it all to survive. Danger and fun escape routes loaded with uncertainty further liven things up as does a wacky portrayal by funnyman Bill Murray (Ghost Busters) as the mayor.