'9' 9：末世決戰

Drawing comparisons to “Wall-E,” with similar scenes of a desolate earth, the machines are the only life-like remnants that remain. But with producers Tim Burton (“Corpse Bride,” “Sweeney Todd”) and Timur Bekmambetov (“Wanted”) also involved, the production line is more suited to older audiences, despite the familiar plot.

This time it's not about the environment or any other underlying political propaganda for the kids. Here it's about how human creativity got the better of man and eradicated life on earth. Destruction came at the hands of “The Great Machine” or Brain as it was known — an eight-legged robot hell-bent on annihilating humanity.

Like in last year's “Wall-E,” however, “9” is the last piece of the puzzle. When the tiny fabric doll wakes up, it discovers a weird object in amongst the apocalyptic wasteland in which he finds himself.

Mystified as to his very existence, 9, played by Elijah Wood, soon discovers others like him. First there's 2 (Martin Landau), who fixes his broken voice and introduces him to the rest of their community led by the authoritative but cowardly 1 (Christopher Plummer). But before 9 can get fully acquainted, 2 is kidnapped by a machine, and 9 convinces the others to help rescue him, but the weird object he found earlier has unexpected consequences. Soon it's all just 6's and 7's for the tiny rag-dolls, the world around them is in chaos; humans are gone, only robots remain.

Also starring John C Reilly (5), Crispin Glover (6), Jennifer Connelly (7) and Fred Tatasciore (8), the movie doesn't drag as the scenes are well-paced keeping viewer attention high. The main interest lies in the interesting characters of the number-dolls. Each character differs greatly, and yet they all have their own strengths, and band together in unison against Brain. The animation is stylized, and vivid. It really stands out for its detail orientated scenes of destruction and ruin. The scenes are rich, dark and foreboding, and with the dolls each showing forms of human empathy as they confront their demons, it adds quite a powerful contrast to the imagery.

Although this story is the seen-it-before type and being somewhat less complex than one might desire, nevertheless “9” is stimulating to watch as the story is as intriguing as the visuals are impressive. Acker's attention to detail lift's the film and keeps viewers interests high all the way to the end.

Unfortunately, the story eventually fizzes out. Having sizzled throughout with epic rag-doll heroism, it somewhat abruptly draws to a neat close as the little band discovers its purpose.

This spiritualism seems strange and tacked on, and whilst this animation is certainly not aimed at nor suited to kids, the question is, who is it suited to? The film doesn't have a clearly-defined audience: It's neither too violent to be an action film, nor too futuristic to be sci-fi. While “Wall-E” glossed over humanistic emotions and even had the character fall in love, “9” shows the dark as well as the light sides of human feelings. An altogether interesting film, probably more suited to fans of Tim Burton animations, yet notably different. If you want something new, check it out. It won't disappoint.

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