The sets are beautiful and the acting is very good (I am very critical of child/teen actors in general but the main characters were great fits for their roles). The movie is slightly cartoonish in the exaggerated stereo-types shown. The world they inhabit is simplistic and the people are mostly friendly and helpful to each other. It is not a dark movie despite the ominous feelings of doom approaching. The lead up is rushed and I'm not sure if really young viewers would get the gist of what's going on. The rest of the story-line is easy to follow and interesting enough to engage all age groups. Some of the action sequences didn't make a lot of sense which I forgave. I just let logic go at some point near the end and enjoyed the experience.The giant mutated animals had no explanation, and didn't progress the story-line at all. I'm pretty sure they could have been dispensed with. I also thought the escape route wouldn't be the most efficient way to evacuate an entire population.Forget that stuff if you can and you'll enjoy the ride.

City of Ember is a 2008 British-Irish-American science fiction fantasy film based on the 2003 novel The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. It was directed by Gil Kenan from a screenplay by Caroline Thompson, and stars Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Bill Murray, Mackenzie Crook, Martin Landau, Mary Kay Place, Toby Jones and Tim Robbins. It was released in October 2008, just two months after the release of the final book in the series; The Diamond of Darkhold. For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever.

Read the book before the movie so I was pretty peeved. Letting that go now. Everyone is living underground with lights that are powered by a hydro water generator. The city of Ember has been having more frequent power outages with greater recovery times. Most people just accept this. It has been drilled into the people of Ember that this is the only safe place, only darkness covers the rest of the world. In fact, it is illegal to even try and go into the darkness that surrounds the city. Most of the adults don't appear to be too interested in pursuing leaving the city. They are complacent or believe that the builders, who constructed Ember over 200 years ago and have never made an appearance since, will return to provide refuge for them once more. Doon Harrow and Lina Mayfleet are the only two that are being proactive about saving their people. The different viewpoints of the two protagonists, Doon and Lina worked to cover most of what the audience needs. However the pacing of the movie seemed really rushed. It works at some points then completely fails at others. Some things that happen just seem forced and random. The over-sized creatures that no one but crooks, Doon and Lina seem to notice as a problem, is one thing that seems silly and useless. Still the does have a certain entertaining quality.Acting: Good for the most part. Setting: Good. Costumes: decent.

...that I have read the book but still can enjoy the film :D I actually only wanted to give 7 or even 6 but then again I remember 1 important thing, Saoirse Ronan! I am not a big fan of her, actually I just watch her in this movie. She is amazing as Lina, really fits her perfectly. A perfect main character is very rare nowadays in novel adaptation to movie...For you who have read the book like me, prepare to be a little, OK maybe very disappointed by "Doon". Harry Treadaway is not Doon, I feel he is too...old. And I can't see that "sparkle" in his eyes, excitement for the pipe work job in his eyes. Nope. If only this movie were made earlier, say, 2003? Maybe he will suit the role, but for my taste, he is too old for this movie.City of Ember is a balance movie. No cheesy romance to ruin the real story too. The adventure is interesting, not too slow nor too scary. And it's not too "hard" like some other movie with complicated explanation. So its also nice to watch with family. Light but very entertaining story.I really recommend this movie for everyone. Have or haven't read the book. For people who have read the book, it will remind us about Lina and Doon, their journey, and how creative the story created by Jeanne duPrau! For people who haven't read the book, this movie is amazing, so you better watch it. Then, go search the book and read it!!! Maybe this film is not really popular or what, but I hope they do the sequel, People of Sparks. Because its just feel like an unfinished story...