Review : 9 (2009)

Via filmofilia.com

A rag doll wakes up in a world ravaged by the war between humans and machines. Now it has to fight back and save whatever is left of civilization.


A fairly simple story and a fairly simple treatment. But the depth given to the world created by the director/writer Shane Acker and screenwriter Pamela Pettler is mindblowing. And it all started with Shanes 2005 short film 9 which won an Oscar. And prompted him to convert that into a full length feature which runs for hardly 80 minutes. And as I have come to realize- Shorts being turned into a feature feel long most of the time. And this too feels a little long but the grandeur and the detailing and the excellent animation work leaves us spellbound. And with a little shortcomings in the story those things save the day for 9. 


One thing I liked about this movie was the sub text and all the things it said and wanted to say. Rarely does animation tackle dark themes. And show violence. But this is scary and is a teeny weeny bit violent. And its a dark movie. When your villain is like Hitler who uses the weapons of peace inappropriately its bound to throw up some uncomfortable questions and visuals. But it doesn't shy away from the telling the truth and in that process earns a PG 13 rating. Pretty bold for an animation movie. And I hope Tim Burton the producer must have been very happy. And really well done Shane. Looking forward to a horror from you ......

Via geekflavor.com

Elijah Woods Jennifer Connelly John Reilly Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau are the voices of the characters. And 9 is amazingly voiced by Woods. As is the work by other actors. And as for the rag figures they look cute and are small. But they do things which nearly can be impossible for people their size. And the director has seen flak for some illogical things he has shown. But its a sci-fi movie with a stern message. And he deals with it pretty well. The amount of work it must have taken to create this stuff cant be imagined. And everything is so detailed. The landscape, the post apocalyptic world, the scary creatures and machines, the scientist and the Hitler like villain and the rag dolls who names are numbers. Visually its in one word STUNNING. So detractors must see the bigger picture and realize that in the treatment lies the biggest surprise. A pleasant one.  So well done Acker N Team......


I have already said this. And i'LL SAY it again. This is a visual masterpiece. So the editing animation and camerawork can't be faulted. Plus a haunting musical score makes you know that this isn't made for kids.


HighTension Verdict: A PG 13 animation makes me happy. I am a sucker for dark movies and am happy to get one in animation. The message delivered through the visual grandeur can strike you or not. But the imagery is non escapable.  Go for this ride and I swear you won't come out disappointed. 


HighTension Meter: 8/10.

Best QUOTE:  "Sometimes fear is the appropriate response."