As futuristic fantasies go, “City of Ember” is a remarkably literal-minded film. Popular children’s book or not, it does not distinguish itself as a movie that sweeps us away or takes us on a magical journey.

It begins in an interesting fashion as we learn that 200 years before things went south, ancestors left a box of hope. But when it was lost along the way, all hope was abandoned as the universe we see was thrust into darkness by an energy crisis, barely kept in light by malfunctioning generators run by a paltry figure played by Martin Landau.

In a novel and amusing turnabout, Bill Murray shows up as the selfish mayor in a town whose last hope is the children, one of whom discovers the missing box in her home. So it is all left to recent graduates Linda Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, played by Saorsie Ronan and Harry Treadway. They are workers, busy bees assigned jobs at random. But as light dims and power is at a precious premium, there is no time to waste.

Interesting concept

Based on Jeanne Duprau’s book, it’s an interesting if not ingenious concept, a sort of Dr. Seuss-like tale turned topsy-turvy in what is essentially a doomsday scenario. In these days especially, with fears exacerbated by global warming and energy depletion, “City of Ember” depicts a situation closer to home that it was even a few weeks ago.

But as compelling and as relevant as the concept and story may seem on paper, the execution struck me as too dull and humdrum. Perhaps the creators were trying to avoid the specter of fear, but this is one movie that is not scary enough. In one aberration, the drama does present gigantic killer rodents. They come from nowhere and it seems to me that in the tradition of Mr. Poe, the quality of fear should not be tacked on with a scary animal. It needs to be an organic element of the movie itself.

As a cautionary fairy tale or futuristic parable, “City of Ember” has its moments of terror and delight. The pivotal word here is “moments.” I wonder whether this is a movie too afraid of itself; that is, a thriller too timid to scare a target audience of children.