9 (2009)
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.
- Director:
- Shane Acker (feature debut)
- Writer:
- Shane AckerPamela Pettler
- Cast:
- Elijah WoodJohn C. ReillyJennifer ConnellyMartin LandauChristopher PlummerCrispin Glover
Reviews & comments
Wonderful but wierd
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
Charmed, but glad it was a freebie.
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...
Absolutley Brilliant
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...
Got the DVD from Amrica
I got the dvd when I was in amrica for christmas and new years (seeing as our dvd player can do all zones). I got some of my friends over to see it the other day and it was really good both visaly and story wise. The action was amazing. The film is quite short (1 hour 20 mins including credits) but fells nothing like it.
Variety
pressDesign aspects are arresting and the filmmaker's abilities are obvious, but the basic survival story remains slight, just as the general setting, no matter how artfully imagined, is by now pretty familiar.
Total Film
pressGreat material, credible producers, top voice talent and gorgeous visuals, stitched together to make a patchwork that’s less than the sum of its parts. Striking and ambitious, but worn at the seams.
The New York Times
pressEvery 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.
The Guardian
pressNow, 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.
Roger Ebert
pressThe best reason to see it is simply because of the creativity of its visuals. They're entrancing.
New Zealand Herald
press9 began life as a short film, winning creator Shane Acker, then a student at the University of California, a Student Academy Award for animation. Now, with the support of film-makers Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland, The Corpse Bride) and Timur Bekmambetov (Nightwatch) as producers, Acker's turned his post-apocalyptic adventure into a full length feature for sci-fi loving adults.
Hollywood Reporter
press9 never adds up to much. It's a dark adult film that gives itself over to the chases and frights of a kiddie movie.
Empire Magazine
pressThe 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.
Variety
pressDesign aspects are arresting and the filmmaker's abilities are obvious, but the basic survival story remains slight, just as the general setting, no matter how artfully imagined, is by now pretty familiar.
Total Film
pressGreat material, credible producers, top voice talent and gorgeous visuals, stitched together to make a patchwork that’s less than the sum of its parts. Striking and ambitious, but worn at the seams.
The New York Times
pressEvery 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.
The Guardian
pressNow, 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.
Roger Ebert
pressThe best reason to see it is simply because of the creativity of its visuals. They're entrancing.
New Zealand Herald
press9 began life as a short film, winning creator Shane Acker, then a student at the University of California, a Student Academy Award for animation. Now, with the support of film-makers Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland, The Corpse Bride) and Timur Bekmambetov (Nightwatch) as producers, Acker's turned his post-apocalyptic adventure into a full length feature for sci-fi loving adults.
Hollywood Reporter
press9 never adds up to much. It's a dark adult film that gives itself over to the chases and frights of a kiddie movie.
Empire Magazine
pressThe 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.
Wonderful but wierd
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
Charmed, but glad it was a freebie.
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...
Absolutley Brilliant
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...
Got the DVD from Amrica
I got the dvd when I was in amrica for christmas and new years (seeing as our dvd player can do all zones). I got some of my friends over to see it the other day and it was really good both visaly and story wise. The action was amazing. The film is quite short (1 hour 20 mins including credits) but fells nothing like it.
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