Many sci-fi films depict intergalactic wars as a stage for courage and deeds of glory. In Dune, a spoiled nobleman becomes a proud warrior. Luke Skywalker matures into a lightsaber virtuoso in various duels and the heroes of many Star Wars series follow suit. Ender’s Game – The Great Game turns such hero myths into a trap for the viewer: to delightfully beautiful battles Here follows a revealing, cruel twist.
If you want to be shocked by this yourself, you have the opportunity to do so tonight on free TV.
Ender’s Game intoxicates with stylish sci-fi battles
First of all, the blockbuster by director Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) is entirely devoted to the spectacle of sci-fi war: After a devastating alien attack on Earth, the remaining world military prepares for another attack with an unusual training program: Rigorous drill and non-stop training simulations are to find the new leading admiral of the Earth fleet among child recruits.
Ender (Asa Butterfield) turns out to be the most talented of them. His superior, Colonel Graff (Harrison Ford), sends him through increasingly demanding simulations that are designed to test his tactical and strategic skills. This is how the teenager gets to know his first real battle against the aliens ever closer.
Ender’s Game – Trailer 2 (German) HD
The staging of the simulations is incredibly gripping and visually impressive: At a rapid pace, the film delivers astonishing twists and stylish sci-fi skirmishes, which, with their futuristic armor and neon light aesthetic, are reminiscent of films like Tron: Legacy. But ultimately, this is also a perfidious trick.
The beautiful sci-fi battles are followed by a brutal twist
The rapid pace, the elegant look and the staging of Ender’s brilliant ideas always leave you wanting more: a child raised for military service by cold-blooded adults fades into the background.
Even if Graff’s ideology and Ender’s innocence are always briefly called into question: the fun of the increasingly crazy sci-fi shootouts outweighs everything else. Then suddenly the real thing is at the door and Ender has to demonstrate the optimum of his drilled skills. The twist that follows is likely to turn the stomachs of many viewers.
It will not be revealed here either, because it is essential to the film’s impact. The twist comments on the film’s action scenes in a way that may betray some fans: What they enjoyed for 114 minutes, suddenly becomes an abomination.
When will Ender’s Game be on TV?
Ender’s Game will be shown on kabel eins on September 17th at 8:15 p.m. The repeat will be shown at 1:20 a.m. The Amazon channel Adrenalin also has the film on flat, otherwise it is available to rent or buy in the usual places.
This article was first published in a similar form on Moviepilot in September 2022.