The trend of popular novels to movies has seen both successes and failures. For most producers, the key is to keep the novels’ fans in mind.

“Ender’s Game,” written by Orson Scott Card, was recently adapted for the big screen, raking in $27 million in the box office. Although the sci-fi movie had impressive graphics to keep non-readers entertained, the backstory made more sense to fans.

In a futuristic setting, the entire world is bound together in world peace because of a common enemy. Ender, a Third, bullied his whole life not only by those in school, but also by his sadistic brother, is chosen to train to lead the entire International Fleet (IF) against the “buggers.” During his training, he learns just what his boundaries are when it comes to life and death, and his influence on either.

On the acting side of the movie, everything ran smoothly. The entire cast fit exactly how they were imagined in the book except for Ender’s bully, Bonzo, but Moises Arias made up for his lack of height with his ruthless acting.

The visual experience was a little downplayed, but it made you feel like you were actually out in space fighting your moral boundaries side by side with Ender.

All together, the movie was a decent adaption, but makes more sense to a fan of the novel as opposed to someone who just watched the movie. Read the book first for optimal viewing pleasure.