by Chris Lieberman correspondent
At first glance, “Ender’s Game” may appear to most as another product of a culture obsessed with the post-apocalyptic sci-fi movie. Most who watch it without having read the books expect the typical humans versus aliens movie filled with spaceships and laser blasts. However, unlike most of its science-fiction counterparts, “Ender’s Game” is a thought-provoking movie that delves into issues such as child development and war ethics.
The movie takes place in the future fifty years after an alien species known as the Formics attempted to invade earth. During that invasion, a man named Mazer Rackham saved the world by heroically flying his plane into the main Formic spaceship, effectively ending the invasion. Fifty years later, the Formic military is regrouping and posing a threat to humanity. Because children are able to more quickly learn and process information, the humans have been training gifted youths to be commanders for future wars.
The story’s main character, Ender Wiggin, is a particularly promising young boy in the training program. The movie traces Ender’s journey through his training up to his final confrontation with the Formics. Throughout his training, Ender finds himself alienated from his peers. This is partially by design, as the colonel who oversees the training program wants Ender to constantly feel the need to prove himself.
At every stage of his training, Ender’s incredible mind for strategy enables him to overcome challenges and progress. Because of his superior skill, Ender becomes the battle commander in the final battle against the Formics. However, with Ender’s success comes internal conflict.
Twice in the movie, Ender gets into a physical altercation with another student in the program, both of which end in Ender critically wounding his opponent. While in both cases Ender acts out of self-defense, he struggles with intense feelings of guilt afterwards. In fact, after the second fight, Ender feels so guilty for what he has done that he drops out of battle school before his sister convinces him to rejoin.
Ender’s greatest moral dilemma comes at the end of the movie in the battle with the Formics. While defeating the Formics would ensure that Earth would be safe from invasion, Ender struggles with the ethics of what he is doing to the Formics. The Formics are unable to communicate with the humans, and Ender cannot help but think that they are simply trying to defend themselves and make peace.
The meaningful storyline and examination of ethical issues set “Ender’s Game” apart from most of today’s sci-fi blockbusters. The primary question the movie considers is whether or not ends can justify means. Those training Ender strive to make him a great warrior who would save mankind, but this is often at the cost of psychological damage to Ender. Ender meanwhile has to decide between protecting humanity and saving the Formics.
From a film standpoint, “Ender’s Game” is entertaining. Visually, the movie uses special effects well without being too over the top. Those who are unfamiliar with the book may not catch certain points of the movie, but not to the degree that it would ruin the overall viewing experience. This movie may not have the most epic or memorable battles in an action movies, but fans of science fiction who enjoy a good storyline should find “Ender’s Game” enjoyable.
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