9
Posted on December 29, 2009 at 8:00 am
An award-winning animated student film has been turned into a full-length feature with intricately-designed visuals but a story-line that feels stuck together with chewing gum and Scotch tape. Tim Burton protege Shane Acker has proven a better student of the letter of his mentor’s work than the spirit. Burton’s films are macabre, even grotesque. His characters may be haunted (literally or metaphorically), tortured (ditto), or murderous (ditto again), but they are as rich and complex as his strikingly imaginative visuals. Acker permits his images to overwhelm the story and the result is a film that is too dark for children and too thin for anyone else.
9 is a little burlap rag doll (voice of Elijah Wood) come to life who finds eight other doll-creatures who appear to be the only sentient survivors of an apocalypse that has extinguished all living things on earth. They are being stalked by the same murderous machines that wiped out their human creators and the movie’s greatest strength is the design and operation of these contraptions. Indeed, it is impossible not to think that the film is more interested in them than it is in its ostensible heroes.
The story keeps getting in the way of our connecting to the earnest little figures whose quest is murky at first and then undermined by an unsatisfying conclusion. “9” only gets a 6.
I actually saw this film and enjoyed it for what it was-entertainment. Looking back at your review, and based on what I saw, I would say your comments are to the point and accurate. (Well, except for the one about it being too thin.) Since I don’t seem able to take any close critical looks at films I just rely on my feelings. With that said, I enjoyed it but did find several highs and lows throughout. I did find as I sat down to write my opinion, and thus having difficulties with my computer, wondering how far off is the possibility of a “take over,” because it sure seems that machines and mechanisms control a lot of our lives. In all, I would recommend seeing it just for enjoyment.
Great comment, Tim! I’m very glad you enjoyed the film.
omg this movie has death in it i totally can’t see it it might wreck my psyche omg omg
Seems like your psyche is pretty impervious, Bobbysixer, but thanks for all the comments!
9 was wonderful, but for the love of Pete, why are people taking their young children to this?1 Being animated means ignoring MPAA ratings? Seriously.
I’m with you, Netbug! Animation does not mean kid-friendly, as I have tried to make clear over and over. Thanks so much — your comment will be very helpful to parents who are looking for guidance.