9 is a pet-project of up-and-coming director Shane Acker that is sure to be as personal as it is technically impressive. Based on his Oscar nominated short-film, it's set in a post-apocalyptic world devoid of humans, but there the similarities to Wall-E end. Produced by Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov – the man responsible for vampire fantasy Night Watch – the film oozes techno chic in each of its animated frames.
When 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood) meets a group of rag-doll creatures similar to himself, he discovers he is a natural leader. He offers assistance to his new companions, helping to defend them from a harsh, futuristic environment of garish insect-like beings. The voice cast also includes John C. Reilly, Martin Landau and Crispin Glover.
I apologise, we feel bad, but there's no trailer available. ~Ed.
A feature length version of his 2005 Oscar-nominated animated short of the same name, writer-director Acker's (an animator on The Return of the King) 9 boasts breathtaking animation and impressive sound design. The dark, dystopian visuals will excite fans of the Terminator and Matrix series, while also evoking memories of Coraline and Sid's room from the original Toy Story.
The film’s lack of a light touch, however, ensures this is not really a tale for littlies. Plotwise, 9 is a bit frayed around the edges with the mystery at the heart of the story surrounded by a succession of chase and fight sequences. There are some nice parallels to 1930s Germany in the backstory though (perhaps the film should have been called ‘Nein’), punctuated by the haunting use of Judy Garland's version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
Like its recently-released alphabetic namesake, 9 also boasts a fantastic cast. Christopher Plummer, John C Reilly, Elijah Wood and Martin Landau, are joined by Jennifer Connelly and Crispin Glover for what would be an indie-film lover's dream team. And they all imbue their sackboy-esque characters with distinctive personalities.
By James Croot, Flicks.co.nz
Great animation but couldnt get myself in to the storyline but worth a look for the animation alone
Great animated film very unusal but then come to expect that from anything to do with Tim Burton .Not one really for children not cutesy like Nemo or Wall E but like any Burton film dark and gloomy with tones of his other works thrown in still good to watch even if your not a big fan of burton
I won a copy of this movie in a competition. It was absolutely stunning visually; beautiful animation that consistently made me gasp. Nice world-building and interesting characters too. Sadly, the plot let it down. The story made little sense, moved too quickly and breezed by several gaping plot holes and conveniences without seeming to notice. Not enough to engage the heart and/or brain as well as the eyeballs, I'm afraid. Although I will say that 3, 4 and 6 were adorable. Worth a watch for the amazing visuals and endearing characters. Just don't expect a gripping story.
Only film in the last 20 years that I considered getting up and leaving, The novelty of the animations lasts about 30 seconds after that it's just a load of glove puppets wandering around a post apocalyptic landscape acting out some ludicrous and half baked plot line. Looks like an overblown animation from a film school graduate's last year project; and given this film they should have been thrown out with it.
Seen it before when it was showing in America, and I can assure you, this is a brilliant amazing film, with a story which is as unusual yet astonishing as Tim Burton-esque wolds go to. This one is not for the kiddies (coz I can assure you they'll get bored), but for those with open minds about the world, and how different people percieve them shown to you through the use of a unique and original medium. Lovable charcters, inticing story, and some sad yet amazing moments. Not to be missed.
The best reason to see it is simply because of the creativity of its visuals. They're entrancing.
The apocalyptic 9 offers innovative images of a broken Earth inhabited by woven warriors battling machines. But it’s more style than substance — this mechanical tale needs a human touch.
Now, like post-apocalyptic wombles or borrowers, the mites scurry and scamper about the wrecked landscape in a manner that I can only describe as uninteresting.
9 never adds up to much. It's a dark adult film that gives itself over to the chases and frights of a kiddie movie.
Every effort to expand the range of feature-length animation beyond the confines of cautious family fare is to be welcomed, and budding techno and fantasy geeks are likely to be intrigued and enthralled.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 25th Feb 2010.
Release date: February 25th 2010.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
