9
Review
by Anthony Morris
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9
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It's
one of those not-quite, alternative-world futures where the machines
have risen, humanity has been destroyed, and only a small group of
literally rag-tag survivors - they're hand-sized rag dolls - remain in
the ruins.
How they were created, what they were created
for, and what their future is are all vital questions; they're just not
quite as vital as escaping from the bizarre half-skeleton, half-machine
monsters that roam the devastated landscape.
Director Shane
Acker's film (based on his own silent short film) is a little too dark
for small children and slightly too simplistic for adults, and the
voice acting from a variety of big Hollywood names doesn't quite fit
the gloomy and desperate mood of much of the film.
But once you get past that 9
is an atmospheric and compelling film that at times feels more like a
nightmare than something projected onto a screen, it's a joy.
The
numerous battles with the various machines that come after the
survivors are action cinema at its purest, and there are moments of
pure dread that most adult films would struggle to capture.
It's
flaws are enough to prevent it from being a real cinema classic, but if
you're willing to just go on a ride like no other then 9 is the film you're looking for.
4 out
of 5
9
Australian release: 10th December,
2010
Official
Site: 9
Cast: Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Jennifer Connelly
Director: Shane Acker
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