This is one of those films which I like to put in a category I?ve always referred to as ?mature animation?. This genre has few films to it?s name but every one of them is good to watch. This film is no different.
This film was an adaptation of a short animated film made by director Shane Acker. However, many of the people who will have watched this film in cinemas or bought it on DVD will have mostly known it?s promotions from the inclusion of Tim Burton in the credits. Unfortunate really, as Acker has clearly put his heart and soul into this film and people will probably never recognise him for it as a result of this decision.
The film is set in what appears to be an alternate history version of Europe during sometime between the two world wars. We meet our hero, the titular 9, who appears to be a small rag-doll-like robot who has just woken for the first time. We see this world through his eyes and learn of it?s history as he sees it. This is a very good example of ?show, don?t tell? in storytelling.
As 9 explores his new world it is made clear to the audience that the human race has been made extinct. Eventually he comes across several more creatures like him and eventually they band together to try and fight off this strange machine creature which is hunting them. I would say more but that would give away too much of the plot.
The film has a very good voice cats and every one of the gives in a good performance. 9 himself is voiced by Elijah Wood and comes across as the naïve young hero well. There are many other famous voices in the cast such as Jennifer Connelley and John. C. Reilly. The best voice actors by far though are the two stars of stage and screen, Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer, who really put their all into their performances.
The visuals of this film are by far their highlight. Shane Acker has brilliantly created a realistic world with a real sense of history to it. Every time you see a ruined building or a torn poster on the wall you can get a real feel for what went on in the past in these places.
Speaking of the visuals, there are a number of images and event in the film which may take some people by surprise. There?s one particular moment near the beginning which caught me off-guard. When you see it, you will realise that this film is holding back nothing.
My only gripe with it is that I?m not sure what the intended audience for this film. The dark visuals and surprisingly mature occurrences would suggest an older audience, but when coupled with the somewhat simplistic story, that line tends to blur a bit.
I would strongly recommend this film for anyone and everyone. It has a solid voice cast, superb visual, an easy to follow story and does not look down on it?s audience?s intelligence.
Check it out.
This film was an adaptation of a short animated film made by director Shane Acker. However, many of the people who will have watched this film in cinemas or bought it on DVD will have mostly known it?s promotions from the inclusion of Tim Burton in the credits. Unfortunate really, as Acker has clearly put his heart and soul into this film and people will probably never recognise him for it as a result of this decision.
The film is set in what appears to be an alternate history version of Europe during sometime between the two world wars. We meet our hero, the titular 9, who appears to be a small rag-doll-like robot who has just woken for the first time. We see this world through his eyes and learn of it?s history as he sees it. This is a very good example of ?show, don?t tell? in storytelling.
As 9 explores his new world it is made clear to the audience that the human race has been made extinct. Eventually he comes across several more creatures like him and eventually they band together to try and fight off this strange machine creature which is hunting them. I would say more but that would give away too much of the plot.
The film has a very good voice cats and every one of the gives in a good performance. 9 himself is voiced by Elijah Wood and comes across as the naïve young hero well. There are many other famous voices in the cast such as Jennifer Connelley and John. C. Reilly. The best voice actors by far though are the two stars of stage and screen, Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer, who really put their all into their performances.
The visuals of this film are by far their highlight. Shane Acker has brilliantly created a realistic world with a real sense of history to it. Every time you see a ruined building or a torn poster on the wall you can get a real feel for what went on in the past in these places.
Speaking of the visuals, there are a number of images and event in the film which may take some people by surprise. There?s one particular moment near the beginning which caught me off-guard. When you see it, you will realise that this film is holding back nothing.
My only gripe with it is that I?m not sure what the intended audience for this film. The dark visuals and surprisingly mature occurrences would suggest an older audience, but when coupled with the somewhat simplistic story, that line tends to blur a bit.
I would strongly recommend this film for anyone and everyone. It has a solid voice cast, superb visual, an easy to follow story and does not look down on it?s audience?s intelligence.
Check it out.
