SINGAPORE — Another film set in zero gravity so soon after, well, Gravity, might have some people spacing out. But in this case it’s worth heading to the cinemas again — Ender’s Game is a great science-fiction movie that brings back the visual spectacle of large-scale space battles. Based on the Orson Scott Card novel of the same name, titular character Ender Wiggins (Asa Butterfield) is a gifted student chosen to lead Earth against an alien threat known as the Formics. The aliens, who were once defeated, still pose a threat and so Earth prepares a pre-emptive strike. Together with Ender are fellow young soldiers who he has to learn to lead, despite a preference for winning things his way.

Butterfield, who we last saw in Hugo, takes a while to find his feet as the lead character but is fuelled by steely intensity once he hits his stride. At the climax, with his own squad of misfit students by his side executing his tactical decisions, Ender is compelling to watch.

Joining the cast is the constantly angry Harrison Ford as the aptly named Colonel Graff, while Ben Kingsley plays Ender’s sagely trainer. Kingsley continues to disappear into his roles, and this time it’s no different despite playing a half-Maori.

But it’s the children who deserve the kudos as the soul of the movie: Hailee Steinfield as Petra Arkanian leads the rest of the cast with assured maturity.

Beyond the performances, the great space battles that form part of Ender’s training are eye-poppingly beautiful and offer enough tactical nous to help those who prefer their battles to go beyond blasters blazing. The zero gravity battles during the children’s training scenes are also fun; they showcase Ender’s ability to think of the box, despite some surprising solutions.

It’s been a while since we saw space battles on such a massive scale on the big screen, and Ender’s Game delivers in spades. The film could have done more in exploring the morals of sending children into war, but there’s enough to chew on in the midst of all the gripping action and Butterfield’s compelling performance.

(PG, 114mins)