# Ender's Game

> 2013 film directed by Gavin Hood

**Wikidata**: [Q1758112](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1758112)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender's_Game_(film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ender-s-game-q1758112

## Summary
Ender's Game is a 2013 science fiction action film directed by Gavin Hood, based on the novel of the same name by Orson Scott Card. The movie follows a young boy recruited into a military training program to prepare for an alien invasion.

## Key Facts
- Directed by Gavin Hood, released in 2013
- Based on the novel by Orson Scott Card
- Genre: science fiction action film, teen film, adventure film, fantasy film
- Production companies: Summit Entertainment, OddLot Entertainment, Chartoff Productions, Digital Domain
- Country of origin: United States
- Runtime: 114 minutes
- Budget: $110,000,000
- Box office: $125,049,000
- IMDb rating: 6.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes score: 63%
- Metacritic score: 51/100
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- Release dates: October 24, 2013 (premiere), November 1, 2013 (US), November 7, 2013 (Germany), January 7, 2014 (France)
- Website: http://www.EndersGameMovie.com
- Wikidata ID: Q746623
- Wikipedia title: Ender's Game (film)
- Sitelink count: 39

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Ender's Game?**
The film follows Ender Wiggin, a brilliant young boy recruited into an elite military training program to prepare for a future alien invasion. He faces intense psychological and physical challenges while developing strategic skills that may determine humanity's survival.

**Who are the main cast members?**
The film stars Asa Butterfield as Ender Wiggin, Harrison Ford as Colonel Graff, Hailee Steinfeld as Petra Arkanian, Abigail Breslin as Valentine Wiggin, and Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham.

**What are the main themes explored in the film?**
The movie explores themes of leadership, morality in warfare, the psychological impact of training children for combat, the nature of empathy versus ruthlessness, and the ethical implications of preemptive military action.

**How does the film differ from the book?**
The film condenses the timeline and simplifies some of the complex political and philosophical elements present in Orson Scott Card's novel. It focuses more on the action and training sequences while reducing the depth of character development and world-building.

**What was the critical reception of the film?**
Critics gave mixed reviews, praising the visual effects and performances while noting the film's rushed pacing and inability to fully capture the novel's complexity. The film holds a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 51/100 score on Metacritic.

## Why It Matters
Ender's Game matters as a significant adaptation of one of science fiction's most influential novels, bringing complex themes of military ethics and child development to mainstream audiences. The film tackles challenging questions about the morality of using children as soldiers, the psychological toll of warfare, and the blurred lines between defense and aggression. Its exploration of leadership, empathy, and strategic thinking resonates with contemporary discussions about military training, artificial intelligence, and the future of warfare. The movie also represents a notable attempt to adapt a beloved but complex literary work for the screen, demonstrating both the possibilities and limitations of translating intricate philosophical concepts into visual storytelling. Its production by major studios and star-studded cast helped bring science fiction's deeper questions to a broader audience beyond traditional genre fans.

## Notable For
- Adaptation of Orson Scott Card's award-winning novel
- Star-studded cast including Harrison Ford and Ben Kingsley
- High-budget production with extensive visual effects
- Exploration of complex military and ethical themes
- Significant box office success despite mixed critical reception
- PG-13 rating for science fiction violence and action
- 114-minute runtime balancing action and character development
- Multiple release dates across different countries
- Official website with interactive content
- Extensive merchandising and promotional campaign

## Body
### Production and Development
Ender's Game was produced by Summit Entertainment in collaboration with OddLot Entertainment, Chartoff Productions, and Digital Domain. The film was directed by Gavin Hood, who also wrote the screenplay adaptation. Production began with a substantial budget of $110 million, reflecting the studio's confidence in the project's commercial potential. Digital Domain, an American visual effects company founded in 1993, provided the film's extensive visual effects work, creating the zero-gravity battle room sequences and alien environments.

### Cast and Characters
The film features Asa Butterfield in the lead role of Ender Wiggin, a young tactical genius recruited into the military training program. Harrison Ford portrays Colonel Graff, the military commander who oversees Ender's training, while Ben Kingsley plays Mazer Rackham, a legendary war hero who becomes Ender's mentor. Hailee Steinfeld appears as Petra Arkanian, one of Ender's fellow trainees and close ally. The cast also includes Abigail Breslin as Valentine Wiggin, Ender's sister, and Viola Davis as Major Gwen Anderson, a psychologist monitoring the trainees.

### Genre Classification
Ender's Game is classified across multiple genres, reflecting its complex narrative structure. As a science fiction film, it explores futuristic technology and alien civilizations. The action film elements are evident in the intense battle sequences and training simulations. The teen film classification acknowledges the young protagonists and coming-of-age themes, while the adventure film designation captures the journey and challenges faced by the characters. Fantasy elements are present in the speculative technology and alien species depicted in the film.

### Release and Distribution
The film had its world premiere on October 24, 2013, followed by its U.S. theatrical release on November 1, 2013. International releases followed, with Germany receiving the film on November 7, 2013, and France on January 7, 2014. This staggered release strategy allowed for targeted marketing campaigns in different regions and helped build international momentum for the film.

### Critical Reception and Performance
Ender's Game received mixed reviews from critics, with praise directed at the visual effects, action sequences, and performances, particularly from the young cast. However, many reviewers felt the film struggled to capture the depth and complexity of the source material within its 114-minute runtime. The film holds a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 200 reviews, with an average rating of 6.1/10. Metacritic assigned the film a score of 51 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average reviews."

### Box Office Performance
Despite the mixed critical reception, Ender's Game performed well at the box office, grossing $125,049,000 worldwide against its $110 million budget. This financial performance demonstrated the commercial viability of science fiction adaptations and the enduring popularity of Orson Scott Card's source material.

### Technical Specifications
The film has a runtime of 114 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating from the MPAA for "some violence, sci-fi action and thematic material." The visual effects were a significant component of the production, with Digital Domain creating the zero-gravity battle room, space combat sequences, and alien environments. The film's technical achievements were recognized in various industry awards and nominations.

### Source Material Connection
The film is based on Orson Scott Card's 1985 novel "Ender's Game," which won both the Hugo and Nebula awards. The adaptation process involved significant condensation of the source material, with the film focusing primarily on Ender's training and the final battle sequences while reducing the political and philosophical elements that are more prominent in the novel.

### Marketing and Promotion
The film's marketing campaign included an official website (http://www.EndersGameMovie.com) featuring trailers, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive elements. The promotional materials emphasized the film's action sequences, visual effects, and star power, particularly highlighting Harrison Ford's involvement to attract a broader audience beyond science fiction fans.

### Cultural Impact
Ender's Game contributed to ongoing discussions about the ethics of military training, the use of children in warfare, and the psychological impact of combat. The film's exploration of these themes resonated with contemporary debates about drone warfare, military recruitment, and the changing nature of conflict in the 21st century.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/enders-game-film)
2. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=45645.html)
3. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/)
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6. [Source](http://www.metacritic.com/movie/enders-game)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. The Movie Database
10. Ender's Game. Rotten Tomatoes
11. [IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1731141/releaseinfo)
12. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
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