 Tagline: (7) To Defend Us... The time is the too-near future. Powered and enabled by the invention known as the Great Machine, the world's machines have turned on mankind and sparked social unrest, decimating the human population before being largely shut down. But as our world fell to pieces, a mission began to salvage the legacy of civilization; a group of small creations was given the spark of life by a scientist in the final days of humanity, and they continue to exist post-apocalypse. With their group so few, these "stitchpunk" creations must summon individual strengths well beyond their own proportions in order to outwit and fight against still-functioning machines, one of which is a marauding mechanized beast. Storyline: In a world destroyed in a war between man and machine, a hand-stitched doll with the number 9 written on its back comes to life. The world he has awakened in is frightening, but he quickly learns that he is not alone and that there are others like him, also with a single digit written on their back. The first one he encounters is 2 who tells him something of what happened to the world. 2 is also thrilled with the disk 9 is carrying, one with three unique symbols on the front. 9 soon learns that the disk and some of the other dolls who are prepared to die for the good of humankind may be the last hope for man's salvation. Written by garykmcd Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Kenneth Brown, December 19, 2009 -- An animated future dystopia? Bizarre burlap dolls battling bestial machines in the shadows of post-apocalyptic ruins? The support of dark fairytale wunderkind Tim Burton and Russian madman Timur Bekmambetov? I cannot begin to convey how excited I was to see 9 after marveling at its first theatrical trailer. But I should have known months of mounting expectations would once again lead to disappointment. Its story wasn't the sprawling epic I had hoped for; its wasteland wasn't the mind-blowing, ashen wonderland its trailer promised; its characters weren't the complex survivors I had sketched out in my mind. I walked away disillusioned and disheartened. Thankfully, my second visit to 9's war-torn cityscape proved to be more rewarding. Its flaws were still apparent, as was its squandered potential, but the whole of the film was more satisfying. Based on writer/director Shane Acker's Oscar-nominated animated short of the same name, the film tells the tale of a family of diminutive dolls -- skeptic and self-proclaimed leader 1 (voiced by Christopher Plummer), sweet-natured scout 2 (Martin Landau), mute catalogers 3 and 4, kind-hearted inventor 5 (John C. Reilly), obsessed artist 6 (Crispin Glover), graceful rogue warrior 7 (Jennifer Connelly), and burly swordsman 8 (Fred Tatasciore) -- who are forced to contend with a vicious machine inadvertently reactivated by their newest member, 9 (Elijah Wood). Their very existence is a mystery, as is their purpose, and their understanding of the world in which they live is limited to their elders' firsthand accounts of the destruction of man. Some feel they should flee the vicinity and live out their lives in seclusion. Others feel it's their god-given duty to stay and fight, a responsibility their creator seems to have tasked them with. Now, inspired by 6's crazed scribblings and 9's determination, the dolls have to choose between remaining hidden or trying to stop the very machine that eradicated humanity in the first place. 9 is the sort of film that's grown on me with multiple viewings; the sort of film that will probably continue to do so. While I envisioned a grander story, I've come to realize Acker's smaller scope isn't necessarily a detriment. And while I expected more engaging characters, several third-act revelations about the dolls' creation make their rather one-note personalities far less distracting. If anything, the fact that the central conflict is one of the dolls' own doing remains the film's greatest weakness. It's more difficult to care about their plight when humanity is already extinct and their enemy has left no one for them to save. Self-preservation is never as powerful a theme as sacrificing oneself for the greater good. It doesn't help that the ending turns out to be such an expendable, tacked-on denouement. Having listened to the disc's elaborate commentary, I finally understand what the filmmakers were aiming to do, but the film's closing scenes are still some of its most jarring and nonsensical. Had Acker given his barren world more context from the outset, it might not require two viewings and an audio commentary to appreciate 9's finer qualities. However, because most animation fans won't give Acker more than one opportunity to win them over -- I doubt I would have watched it more than once if it weren't for this review -- many will simply declare 9 an underwhelming letdown and move on. As someone who initially despised the film but has since come to enjoy its haunting simplicity, I can tell you that would be a shame. 9's jaw-dropping animation is more immune to criticism. Everything from the expressive tin eyes of the film's fateful heroes to the cold, calculating sheen of its mechanical beasties exudes soul; every crumbling building, pile of rubble, and human corpse lends an intriguing bit of backstory Acker is all too willing to overlook. Inks splashes onto parchment, electricity crackles whenever the Scientist's machine bellows, scissored incisors rattle as a diving creature attacks, dust bristles as a warrior decapitates a lunging monster, thin stitches pull and tear as an arm is left tattered... it's all a wondrously dark and menacing sight to behold. Humans, though only seen in flashbacks, lack the polish and spirit of Acker's burlap warriors and devious bots, but little else falls short. Still, despite its beauty, 9 will continue to be a divisive oddity. Neither a groundbreaking gut-punch nor an utter waste, it will speak to a select few far more than others. A handful of boundary pushing images further limit its appeal, particularly since a few minor cuts would have earned it a more family-friendly PG-rating without affecting Acker's tone or atmosphere in the slightest. As it stands, 9 is worth watching -- in some cases worth watching more than once -- and should continue to welcome eager newcomers into its fold. 9 may not be the be-all, end-all animated future dystopian masterpiece I had hoped for, but it is a decent, potentially stirring tale all the same. Just be prepared to give it a second go if your first viewing doesn't turn out so well. By contrast, Universal's Blu-ray release is far easier to evaluate. With a near-perfect video transfer, a near-perfect DTS-HD Master Audio track, and a near-perfect supplemental package, the disc comes... you guessed it, close to perfection. The Blu-ray edition of 9 falls just shy of must-own or blind-buy status -- be sure to see the film before committing any serious cash to a purchase -- but fans will be more than pleased with the results. Cast Notes: Christopher Plummer (#1 [voice]), Martin Landau (#2 [voice]), John C. Reilly (#5 [voice]), Crispin Glover (#6 [voice]), Jennifer Connelly (#7 [voice]), Fred Tatasciore (#8 / Radio Announcer [voice]), Elijah Wood (#9 [voice]), Alan Oppenheimer (The Scientist [voice]), Tom Kane (Dictator [voice]), Helen Wilson (Newscaster [voice]). IMDb Rating (01/02/10): 7.0/10 from 15,461 users
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