ENDER’S GAME

US, 2013, 106 minutes, Colour.
Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Spencer.
Directed by Gavin Hood.

All the publicity suggests ‘Harry Potter meets Star Wars’. There is something in this insofar as the hero of this film, Ender, is something of a child intellectual wiz, if not a wizard, and his mentor is Harrison Ford, older and more grizzled than Han Solo. The film will have an appeal to younger audiences, especially those who enjoy playing computer games.

In fact, the film has been planned for several decades. Based on a novel by Orson Scott Card, it defied screen writers and producers for some time. But now, with its computer graphics and all kinds of special effects, it is a film of this time.

The film focuses on Ender, bullied in school, disappointing his father because of his seeming lack of success, but actually, one of the most intelligent and shrewd children at the training school. There is need for a training school. Fifty years earlier, the Formics (ant-like creatures) had invaded the earth and almost destroyed it. The heroic leader who destroyed the invading forces has become the legend for the earthly warriors, the film of his attack being watched by the students many times. The plan for earth is to be always ready for an invasion.

Ender is under perpetual surveillance by Graff, Harrison Ford, and Dr. Anderson, Viola Davis, who are on the lookout for the champion who will save the world. Ender looks like the most able candidate. He is taken into space for further training, clashing initially with his team, befriending Petra, Hailee Steinfeld, who supports and encourages him.

Asa Butterfield who was successful in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas and Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, is an effective Ender, tall and gangly, with a tendency to be abrupt, earnest in his training, yet strong in character to stand up to the authorities. He is finally ready to do a simulation of an attack on the world of the Formics. He is disturbed, however, by the appearance of his sister in some dreams, especially in the landscape of the Formic planet. Ender stands in front of a vast cosmic vista, almost conducting like a symphony, this war of the worlds.

This battle and Ender’s control of it plays like a computer game, of Ender playing a computer game-but something more sinister is revealed at the end, Ender being a warrior not bent on destruction but on relationships and peace.

Harrison Ford plays his role with some grim intensity. Ben Kingsley, the national hero, has Maori paint on him and speaks with a New Zealand accent. Viola Davis, as always, offers a strong performance.

Card has written a number of Ender novels since the 1980s, so there is plenty of potential for sequels if this film is a box-office success. And that will depend on the younger audiences rather than older audiences.

1. The popularity of the Ender novels? From the 1980s? The interest in space and star wars in the 1980s? The long time before the film version?

2. The computer game visuals, the computer game style and involvement? The transition from novel to film to game?

3. The quote from Ender at the beginning, enemies and allies, love, harmony? His voiceover and perspective?

4. The world situation? The Formics, the war, Mazer Rackham as the hero and the defeat of the invaders, the continual visualising of the explosion of the space vessel, 50 years of peace, no attack, yet the plan on earth to defeat the Formics and destroy them?

5. Space control, Colonel Graff and Harrison Ford’s screen persona and history? Gruff, the surveillance on the students, on Ender, the continued tests? The discussions with Major Anderson, clashes with her? The invitation to Mazer, watching the classes, Ender’s behaviour, the decision that he was the one? The criteria? As a personality, Graff judging him, watching the family, Ender’s fight with the bullies, preventing them from further attack? His arrival at the home, choosing Ender, the reaction of the father and the family, not choosing Peter, not choosing Valentine, the reasons? Promoting Ender, taking him into space, in the vehicle, at the training centre, continually challenging him, watching the dormitory clashes, Ender’s dreams about Valentine? The final decision about Ender’s leadership?

6. Ender, his age, experience, intelligence, gangly appearance, being bullied, fighting back, his tactics and strategies, preventing future fights? Going home, his place in the family, the meal, bond with Valentine, clashes and fights with Peter, his father’s disappointment? Graff’s arrival, the explanation, his going in to space, the challenge from Graff, arrival, the dormitory, saying he wanted to be near the door, trying to keep the peace with the students, the suspicions of him, Petra and her bonding with him? His skills, the clashes, working as a team? Education, being watched? The nature of his dreams, Valentine and the cave of the Formics? The visuals of destruction? The games, his skills?

7. Major Anderson, her role in the team, conferring with Graff, surveillance, discussions, her concern, the emotional repercussions of Ender’s training?

8. Mazer, the hero, the visuals, his appearance, the Maori painting, his accent, surveillance of Ender, agreeing that he was the hero?

9. Petra, her role in the group, her skills, her liking Ender, his wariness, initially, but bonding with her, relying on her in the final battle?

10. Valentine, too emotional to be in training, at home, supporting Ender, appearing in his dreams, the mystery of her presence, the Formic caves, her inspiration?

11. The range of students, on earth, bullying Ender, supporting him? In the team, the cultural mix? Gradually accepting Ender, their role in the battle, fears, the temptation to give up, following Ender’s leadership?

12. The technical aspects of the training, Ender and his mastery of space, action? His training, the game, as if he were playing a computer game, swiping the vistas, moving the weapons…?

13. The game itself, the confrontation with the Formicsfour mix, invading, the destruction, the risks, the timing? Ender and his clam, his decisions? The support of the group? Graff, Mazer and Major Anderson watching the proceedings?

14. The realization that it was not a simulation, but the destruction of the Formics? Ender and his reaction, disillusionment? Confrontation with Graff? The two different philosophies, the seeking of peace, and anticipation of difficulties by elimination of the enemies? No survivors?

15. The possibility of an alternate approach to war and peace? The future and peace? Ender’s future?