Annie, Jn, and I saw Ender’s Game last night and I have to say that I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.

Plot synopsis:

The International Military seek out a leader who can save the human race from an alien attack. Ender Wiggin, a brilliant young mind, is recruited and trained to lead his fellow soldiers into a battle that will determine the future of Earth.

Without giving away any spoilers, I’ll say that I have tried to read the book a number of times but never got past the first few chapters. This meant that I only had an idea of what the story would be about going in, and I’m not sure if it is better or worse than the book it is based off of.

The young actors, especially the one playing Ender, Asa Butterfield, did a great job holding up a movie that others would have made fell flat. Child and youth actors can be super hit or miss.

I’m also going to mention that the special effects were top notch. I’m surprised this was a November release as I think it could have done well as late summer movie. It had that quality to it.

The beginning third of the movie felt a little slow to me, but because it isn’t a world that most people would know, they had to do a great deal of world building before getting to their main plot line.

Overall, I’d give Ender’s Game a 4/5. I think it is worth seeing on the big screen on cheap night, but mostly because the special effects warrant it.