9 review
9 the new animated feature from director Shane Acker based on his screenplay with Pamela Pettler and produced by Tim Burton is a new as new and exciting a film as any you’re likely to see this month. Assuming of course you want to see an animated film for grown-up about rag-dolls come to life, filled with philosophical musings and action sequences. Set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic future the dolls battles mechanical monsters and find salivation. In the process they learn about their own creation and the fate of humanity.
The movie opens with the titular #9 being stitched together, his wooden hands put in place and given binuclear lenses for vision. His creator soon collapses daead and little #9 wakes up distressed, confused and unable to speak. He grabs a small, gold disc and nervously heads out into the big world. He soon meets another like him the kindly, old inventor #2 (Martin Landau) who helps him find his voice, Elijah Wood’s voice to be exact. #2 is quickly dragged away by the Beat into forbidden lands and #9 finds himself in hiding with other like him ruled over by the stern #1. #9 convinces the affable #5 (John C. Reilly) to help him on a rescue mission into the forbidden zone where they meet the few remaining dolls.
Once the setup is in place 9 really takes off with thrilling action sequences and providing back-story for this universe. As they try and research the Beast and find a way to save their brethren the dolls learn about the fall of man and rise of machines. Similar to The Matrix the events are rather predictable. However, instead of the heavy handed Neo is Jesus treatment, 9 goes in a different direction to explore the essence of humanity and what will become of Earth after we are gone.
While I appreciate the sci-fi philosophy the real reason to go see 9 is the stunning visuals. Based on Acker’s 2006 Oscar winning animated short the world is at once adorable and terrifying. With darkened skies, towering ruins and ravishing machines our little puppet heroes are dwarfed by all the surrounds them. The dolls themselves are cute and very expressive in the same way the Wall-E managed to be, saying so much with so little to work with. I am regretful I wasn’t able to view it in 3D because the sprawling action would have been very effective in that format.
9 does have some problems, mainly that the dialogue isn’t as interesting as the implications of the plot could have allowed it to be. I also wasn’t incredibly fond of the Girl Power! she-warrior #7 voiced by Jennifer Connelly. I am all for female empowerment, but her character didn’t really have any flaws our vulnerabilities like the others and it was just sort of annoying. Those complaints don’t make for a bad movie, just highlight some wasted potential. There are many sequences that completely work, I was enthralled by the scene set to Somewhere Over the Rainbow that contrasted sunny skies with lurking menace. While 9 is not perfect I did really enjoy watching it as a slightly more intelligent pop-corn flick. And I for one hope it starts a trend in visually ambitious, intellectual animation for adults.