Computer graphics have become a staple of modern cinema. Few movies are released without CGI, and many recent computer-animated films such as "Wall-E" (2008) and "Up" (2009) are favorites of our generation.
As a fan of this expanding medium, I find it disappointing that computer animation is never featured in action and horror movies. For this reason, it was a thrill to watch "9," which finally introduces the computer-animation genre to a more mature audience.
"9" is an absolutely gorgeous film full of suspense, and the animation makes it possible for the creators to include sequences that would be impractical with live action.
It is unfortunate, then, that the story itself doesn't captivate audiences as much as the visuals.
The film released Sept. 9 tells the story of a post-apocalyptic wasteland where all traces of humanity have been wiped out by a robotic army. The featured characters, nine mysterious rag dolls that were given life shortly before humanity perished, are tasked with ridding the world of their robotic enemies.
Many of the nine rag dolls fit into the stereotypical trope of an action-adventure, from the brilliant yet timid 5 to the brutish and bumbling 8. Seeing these characters unfold over the course of the story arc was one of the more charming elements of the narrative.
The rag dolls are voiced by an incredible cast, including Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly and Jennifer Connelly. While "9" was written and directed by Shane Acker, it also shows the artistic genius of Tim Burton, a producer on the film, and appropriately reflects his style.
Mere minutes into the film, viewers are treated to a chilling panoramic view of a ravaged wasteland. The image is incredibly detailed and quite beautiful, and truly capitalizes on the artistic capabilities of the medium. It also sets the tone of the movie as gloomy, surreal, and overall, terrifying.
Due to the family friendly reputation of computer animation, the elements of action and horror in "9" were very surprising. "9" is the third computer-animated film to ever receive a PG-13 rating, and rightfully so the film is downright frightening. Even fans of the horror genre will find themselves jumping at some of the movie's more terrifying moments.
Do not let the computer-animation trick you into expecting a delightfully joyous kiddie flick these rag dolls pack a serious punch. That's partly why I enjoyed the film so much.
In addition to delivering a legitimately scary experience, the movie also contains sequences of truly thrilling action. Other computer-animated movies have attempted to portray exhilarating action sequences before most notably "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" (2001) which failed to deliver realistic action and was less-than-successful at the box office. Luckily, the sequences in "9" are fluid and natural despite the fact that the fighters are rag dolls.
"9" is a great ride, due to both spectacular visuals and thrilling action. Still, the story disappoints. The narrative starts out strong, as do most narratives of post-apocalypticism, but begins to drag towards the end of the film, concluding with an unsatisfying finale. Audiences are left dumbfounded and disappointed by the movie's substandard attempt to explain the origins of our rag doll heroes. For a story based heavily on technology and robotics, it is disillusioning to see a major plot twist accounted for merely by inexplicable dark magic.
Despite these shortcomings, the film is a fantastic work. It truly is a triumph that after such a lame conclusion, I still left the theater feeling satisfied.
The visuals are exquisite, the characters are genuine and the action is non-stop.
