9 **Theatrical Review**
9
PG-13
1 hour, 19 minutes
Starring: Elijah Wood, Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connolly, and Crispin Glover.
FINALLY! I can’t tell you how long I have been waiting for this film to hit theaters. Ever since I saw the trailer I was completely in love and this was one movie that I was actually looking forward to seeing.
9 tells the story of nine doll like creatures who have been given the spark of life while they try to survive in a post apocalyptic world. There is not a single living organism left on the whole planet, all that remains are these dolls and the machines the destroyed humanity.
Something as original as this film hasn’t been produced in a very long while. The vision itself is amazing. Surprisingly, it’s an animated film with a PG-13 rating and extremely action driven. Who says that cartoons are for kids? I did like this movie for all that it did provide, but overall I am disappointed because it could’ve been so much more.
There is a quote from the film that describes my sentiments perfectly, “We had such potential.”
The biggest problem that 9 suffered from was a severely under developed script. The movie felt like watching an outline that got made into a full length feature. The movie doesn’t even hit the 90 minutes mark. They had all the time in the world to develop something very strong. The trailer had such an strong emotional kick to it (thanks to Coheed and Cambria) that the film failed to bring out. The set up is great, but the overall explanation to the mystery of their creation is a little glossed over and lacking in importance and urgency to the characters.
The characters, although you grow to know and love them, are seemingly one dimensional. For characters that are surviving with no purpose in life in a destructive and dangerous world, you would think they would be a little more emotionally scarred. They would’ve established relationships of love and hate amongst their small group as well as good and bad histories. However, the movie doesn’t take nearly anytime with its characterization and simply moves onto the next plot point. I think that had they explored deeper into the relationships between the characters it would’ve have a much heavier impact on the audience and create a more memorable film.
Overall it’s fun to watch and certainly nothing you’ve ever seen before. I just wish that it had a little more kick to it. Unfortunately in a couple of years I think people will forget about this one.
2.5 out of 5
Reviews | The Maggie | 
September 10, 2009 12:59 pm
