Review: City of Ember

Review: City of Ember

Rating: **1/2

Nonna's Rating: $$

Rotten Tomatoes: 50%

I'm giving this movie a strong 2 1/2 stars -- and, if you're viewing it with a pre-teen, taking him or her to a matinee is a fine idea. Serious films for children are far and few between lately. This one presents a post-apocolyptic world filled with children who have learned to adapt to dire circumstances. It's a film that challenges older children to confront the consequences of profligate use of resources -- but the final message is one of hope.

The stunning visuals will captivate kids and keep adults interested if not mesmerized. Supporting performances by Tim Robbins, Martin Landau, and Bill Murray contribute to the solid story -- headlined by Saorise Ronan and Harry Treadaway, children who can carry the movie. Released last October, it makes for a good family night rental now.

Nonna's Ratings:

$$$$ = Worth paying the Friday evening price
$$$= Worth paying the Matinee price
$$= Worth a rental
$ = Wait for cable
# = Skip it