9 (2009)

So once again machines have destroyed human life on earth and everything is a barren wasteland. A small robotic doll named 9 wakes up next to an old dude's dead body. He takes an important-looking talisman-thing and walks around until he meets 2, who gives him a voice box and promises to take him to the other dolls in hiding. Unfortunately 2 is attacked and taken away by a vicious animalistic robot. 9 meets up with 1 (the leader), 5 (the timid one), 6 (the crazy one who's always drawing symbols), and 8 (the gruff bodyguard) and implores them to save 2, but 1 is committed to keeping everyone safe and hidden from the monster.

9 and 5 go out on their own to find him, only for 9 to accidentally awaken a terrifying machine that exists only to create other terrifying machines. With the help of the daredevil (and female, or at least as female as a robot doll can be) 7 and silent but knowledgeable twins 3 and 4, 9 endeavors to correct his mistake and save what's left of sentient beings on Earth, as well as discover just what happened to the human race. And who's that dead old guy?

9 could have been so awesome, if it could get a handle on itself. It takes a played-out concept and attempts to make it different, adding an edge of steampunk design and Horcruxian soul splitting. It looks beautiful, with a faded color palette and great details in the textiles and sets. The crazy robots the big machine invents to hunt down the dolls are awesome and freaky as hell. The dolls themselves look ok, but aren't as diversified as they could be. Also their construction confuses me- what kind of robot needs to breathe?

A big problem 9 has is its intended audience: who the hell are they? With its downer of a premise and scary robots, it's decidedly not for children despite its animated medium. But it's way too simple in its story and characters to be engaging for adults. I have no idea who would fully enjoy this movie. I am not one of those people. Though there were things I liked about it, for the most part I was just frustrated the whole time because it could be so much better than it is. Also it's kind of boring. Come on filmmakers, let's make an intelligent and inventive animated science-fiction film.

2.5/5

Here's the silent short it's based on. Pretty good stuff.

9 Shane Acker Short
by FrFKmeron