City of Ember

Based on a popular book by Jeanne Duprau, this lavishly designed adventure saga from director Gil Kenan (Monster House) and producers Tom Hanks and Walden Media (Chronicles of Narnia) plays like Terry Gilliam’s Brazil … for beginners. It’s set in a two-centuries-old, man-made city named Ember, which is run on generators that are beginning to short-circuit. Teenage workers Lina (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon (Harry Treadaway) attempt to decode a secret escape plan hidden by Ember’s founders while battling the mayor (Bill Murray) and other corrupt officials. Impressive technical work overshadows the drama and sometimes lethargic pacing, but there’s enough here for middle- and high-school kids to think about and marvel over.

Shelf Talk: Despite ample promotion from helmer Kenan and supporting players Murray and Tim Robbins (who plays Treadaway’s father), City of Ember never caught on with its intended audience. Its fantasy elements could fill the gap left by the absence of a Harry Potter outing this year. Also, Murray’s presence always makes it more interesting for non-genre fans, while young Ronan (Death Defying Acts, Atonement) is slowly picking up a following.