City of Ember

My Angle: This movie was recommended by a member of my church.

Kid Friendly: Sort of (over 10). But how soon do we want to introduce the idea of the "end of the world" to children? The movie is incredibly clean. My wife and I enjoyed it.

Spiritual Issues: They are legion. The movie has a humanist bent to it. There seems to be the view that neither Goverment nor Religion can solve your problems - you have to solve them. However, the idea of being trapped in a death cycle that only an outside source can provide a way out from - sounds like a parable about faith.


This movie is based on a book for teens. The main characters are teens. The movie is faced paced and has some scenes of intense peril. The City of Ember is founded at the "end of the world" a place for a few survivors to live while humanity waits for the earth to become inhabitable again. The date is set for 200 years and a plan is set in place - unfortunately the plan is lost and needs to be figured out.

Like I said my wife and I enjoyed this movie, your children over 10 should be able to enjoy it but I'm not sure how much you want your 10 year old worried about the end of the world (we're not told if it is due to war, ecological issues, disease, only that it is the end.

The movie has some very complex themes. Desperation, gluttony, greed, deception and others are all on display.

31/2 stars out of 5

Bill Crawford the Bayou Christian