The story’s science fiction foundation becomes nothing more than your run-of-the-mill adventure yarn, abandoning its thought-provoking ideas for something much less satisfying.

| Original Score: 2/4 | Mar 20, 2024

This enchanting science-fiction story has a female protagonist who's so courageous and smart you'll wish she were your daughter...

| Oct 5, 2021

It's difficult not to become immersed in the fun of uncovering clues and discovering secrets in a society and landscape with few caps on creativity.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Nov 28, 2020

Fans of Duprau's novel and those who've resonated with other Walden family films are likely to find much to like here.

| Original Score: 2.5/4.0 | Sep 5, 2020

Worth checking out if you can forgive the flaws.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 14, 2020

The movie benefits from solid performances from Tim Robbins as Doon's dad and Martin Landau as Doon's elderly boss. The design teams successfully bring the city to life.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Aug 13, 2018

| Original Score: 4/5 | Nov 17, 2011

A lot of thought and effort has been put into City of Ember but the whole is never more than the sum of its parts. It wants to be an adventure story and a fable and a mystery all at the same time and never quite decides what it is.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Mar 18, 2011

One of the best family films of the year...if you like your kid movies with a little more bruising than normal.

| Original Score: B+ | Jun 2, 2010

Built upon a bedrock of dazzling and richly constructed sets -- think Dr. Seuss meets Jules Verne meets Mad Max -- and complemented by rock-solid storytelling, it's an enormously enjoyable family film.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Sep 4, 2009

Ultimately, this journey to rekindle the fire of humanity fails to burn bright enough, leaving only the unpleasant taste of ashes.

| Original Score: 2/5 | May 12, 2009

A shaky platform of sense but the visual genius is so great, the film must be seen.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 14, 2009

In addition to being fascinating and exciting, City of Ember invites its young viewers to constantly ask questions and never give up.

Full Review | Original Score: 74/100 | Jan 13, 2009

Tween audiences should be awestruck, and the message of audacity in the face of orthodoxy feels genuinely heroic.

| Dec 12, 2008

Murray playing the glutton doesn't exactly fit the bill and for all the architectural care that's gone into Ember's creation, the secret at its heart is no mystery to us, the audience.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 12, 2008

Murray is always good to have around, and so are Tim Robbins, who plays Doon's defeated father, and Martin Landau as one of the drones who tries to keep the city in working order. The young actors are excellent.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 12, 2008

An extraordinary children's adventure...

| Dec 10, 2008

Although it starts slowly, there are plenty of rewards in this well crafted family fantasy adventure, as it explores a world in which light bulbs form the sky and a powerful generator acts as its heartbeat.

| Dec 4, 2008

This well-designed and executed piece of entertainment is actually very satisfying.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 1, 2008

Pure escapism fun, with plenty of stark visuals and inventiveness to go around.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 20, 2008