“Ender’s Game” has so many things wrong with it I don’t know where to begin: a weak story line, unlikable characters that aren’t fleshed out and are one-dimensional cardboard figures (there’s a weak-kneed genius who will save the world, the bully, the hard-nosed drill sergeant with a heart of gold, the leaders with ulterior motives, the understanding girlfriend, etc.), sloppy direction, a couple of top-name actors telephoning in their performances, and even a muddled message about the sanctity of life, whether human or alien. The plot: In the future, a hostile alien race called the Formics attacked the Earth but were repelled and, in preparation for another attack, years later, the International Military begin training the best young children to be the military leaders of the future. Among them is Ender Wiggin, a shy, but strategically brilliant wunderkind who is trained to be the military strategist to combat the Formics. As part of his training, he’s enlisted to play a computer simulation — a game — that involves attacking the Formics and wiping them out. But all is not as it seems. Based on the award-winning bestseller by Orson Scott Card (who, one should note, caused quite a stir with some moviegoers because of his history of anti-gay outbursts and articles). Extras: Deleted/extended scenes, commentary with producers Gigi Pritzker and Bob Orci. Blu-ray adds · “Ender’s World: The Making of Ender’s Game” eight-part featurette. Vitals: Director: Gavin Hood. Stars: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis. 2013, CC, MPAA rating: PG-13, 114 min., Action-Adventure, Box office gross: $60.119 million, Lionsgate.
