Far Back Fridays

Hello Towelites!  I have been closely following the progress of the Enders Game movie, and though I am excited to see it, I do have some issues with it.

endersgameLet me start off by saying that I read Enders Game for the first time when I was in my early 20’s, and I instantly fell in love with the story and the characters.  For the first time in a long time I had a book that when I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking or dreaming about the characters.  The love I have for Ender Wiggin, who I wholeheartedly believe is one of the GREATEST characters ever written, goes beyond words.  The entire whole series, and the parallel series for Bean is amazing.  Before anything else I want to highly recommend these books, you will not be disappointed.  They are Sci-Fi books, but the stories and the character development really flesh these out and even if you’re not a sci-fi fan, I think that you will love these books.

Now, onto the movie…

As I explained, I am excited to see this.  I’m excited that they’re making this.  I have been following the development of this movie for years on Hatrack River, and OSC has always basically said, “It’s not right,” or “It’s not ready yet.”  This movie has had so many different versions of it circling around for at least 15 years.  At one point it was rumored that they had wanted Janeane Garafolo to play the part of Mazer Rackham (I know, crazy right?)  So when production on the actual movie started I was elated!  I have checked the cast out on imdb.com and I am impressed with who they have signed on to this movie. Impressed and disappointed.  Though the cast seems great, the kids are too old.  I mean, WAY too old. Ender is 5 years old in the book.  I understand casting an older child actor, that makes sense.  It would be extremely difficult to get a 5 year old to do everything that Ender has to do, but 15 years old seems a bit extreme to me.  The whole reason Ender was so amazing was because he was able to do all of this, and defeat The Buggers at such a young age (not that Ender isn’t amazing when he gets older, but those are different books and extremely different stories)

enders-gameThe boy that they cast as Bean in this is 13 years old.  In Enders Game Bean is pretty much a baby, an extremely smart baby who is advanced beyond his years, but if you had followed the story of Bean, you understand why I am upset at the age of him in the movie.  I really don’t want to give anything away about his story in case people are planning on reading the books, but I will say that Bean becomes a very influential person and had done a lot by the age of 13.

As for the other characters I’m actually fine with it.  Abigail Breslin as Valentine I feel is a great casting choice.  But is she the only other Wiggin in the movie?  Where are Ender’s parents and Peter? 

Basically, what I’m trying to say is, though I am excited for this movie and am planning on being there opening weekend, I am a bit skeptical about it.  I will keep track of the developments and give you guys any updates and thoughts that I have on it.

Till then Towelites!  Happy Holidays and Don’t Panic!!!

~CheriMonster