Review: 9

Sack Attack

We are fortunate enough now that not all animated films aspire to the clean cut, family friendly standard that most people associate with Disney, even while Pixar is gradually trying to change that. This isn't to say that all animated films should automatically start being hard edge adult films. All that is being said is that when animated films are given the freedom to aspire beyond a specific, age defined demographic, what can usually emerge is an interesting story that is populated by much heavier and darker themes. Such is with this film, which does indeed carry that dark tone. However, it may still need to borrow a bit from some of the lighter films in terms of telling a decent narrative.

The world of 9 is a somber, abandoned, and apocalyptic one where the human race has been totally eradicated following a deadly war with a machine uprising (sound familiar?). All that remains are a group of living rag dolls each named by a number. 9, voiced by Elijah Wood, has just awoken to the devastation and bands together with the rest of the group to try to take down the vicious machines who steals the souls of the group. The highlights of the group include the stern leader 1 (Christopher Plummer), the eager explorer 5 (John C. Reilly) and the ostracized but vicious warrior 7 (Jennifer Connelly).

Shane Acker's original, Oscar nominated short wasn't a great spectacle by any means. However, what it was able to do so well was immediately implant you into a horrific world and be energized by the entire surroundings, and that included not a single breath of dialogue. That only goes so far in a feature length film, and at seventy-nine minutes, the films never gives a moment to really develop the surroundings or the characters. Its bleak, war time tone and dark subject matter would give fodder to even more interesting characters, and it would have been beneficial to explore those territories and allow the film to become a real achievement. Instead, Pamela Pettler's screenplay rushes the action and never lets us revel in the scenery or character development.

However, Acker does provide a credible job at giving us a dark world that is very captivating. While the story doesn't really give true enough credit, Acker still allows the scenery to become a magnificent portrait drenched in a green tinted pallet with a rusted overtone. He also stages some very placed action sequences that can really ramp up the excitement. In between those scenes, it is always a welcomed pleasure to observe a wide shot of the barren and destructive wasteland before it is automatically replaced by another action set piece or obligatory plot point reveal.

The voice acting is only okay, and it is never memorable. Wood has the lead, but his lines are so stale that he fails to make an impact. The same is said for Connelly, Reilly and other voice actor Cripin Glover. The only one who comes close to making an impression is Plummer, who is able to make a presence whenever his stern orator of a voice pierces the soundtrack. Still, all the voice talent is seemingly wasted, which makes a strong case for the film to have retained its atmosphere or stunning visuals, a pulsating sound design and absolutely no talking.

Even with the major faults of the story, I still found many elements to take solace in. Acker in the end still provides a film that keeps you interested during its entire, short duration and you will more than likely be invested in these characters' plight and surrounding areas, even when the screenplay seems less interested in doing so. The reason why some lighter animated films still dominate is because of their great attention to story detail. Some darker films can still be as good as their lighter counterparts, but they have to realize where it starts first. *** / ****; GRADE: B