Based on Jeanne DuPrau's sci-fi novel for children, City of Ember is meant to be a family-friendly affair. But director Gil Kenan has made it so grim and depressing that we honestly doubt that the average kid (or adult) would enjoy this.

The story is set in a dark, miserable, underground world that supposedly protects human beings from the dangers of the outside world. Humans have lived in these confines for so long that they hardly know what the outside world looks like.

But two kids Lina (Saoirse Ronan) and Doon (Harry Treadaway) believe there might be a better, brighter world outside and they are willing to risk everything to find it. Doon's father (Tim Robbins), who once tried to leave but failed, warns them of the extraordinary challenges they face ahead…

Because the novel is good, the movie is not without its merits. There are aspects of the themes and plot that are intelligent enough to set you thinking. However, in the final analysis, City of Ember is just too dour and depressing to be a good piece of entertainment.

The fact that the film is so poorly structured - with a plodding center and an anti-climactic ending - doesn't help either.