Visual effects soar above thin storyline of '9'
Sara Carr
Issue date: 9/15/09 Section: Arts & Society
Number 7 (as voiced by Oscar-winner Jennifer Connelly) is often at the center of the fight as the lone female who is fearless in her resistance against the machines. The way they depict her cat-like reflexes (which sound ironic considering that these characters are made of average home supplies), is when the viewer forgets about the plot and gets lost in the intense action that feels more real than computer-generated.
The characters as well tend to carry the film as this little numbered colony consists of 9 who is loyal and compassionate, 7 who is brave, 5 (voiced by John C. Reilly) as a slightly squeamish sidekick, 1 who is the dictator overcome by fear, 8 who is a burly and comical brute, 6 who is deranged and obsessed with a symbol he draws constantly, and 3 and 4 who are archiving twins who know the history of the world and unlock many of the secrets of the machines. This dynamic bunch who are voiced by some of the best talent in Hollywood are a part of the glue that keeps the thinly written film from falling apart. Their interactions of joy, anger, and everything in between paired with the visuals come to the rescue.
"9" is flawed in its execution and yet it is still one of the most intriguing releases of recent memory. If this is the beginning of Shane Acker's career as a director, then this reviewer can't wait to see some of his more seasoned future work.
The characters as well tend to carry the film as this little numbered colony consists of 9 who is loyal and compassionate, 7 who is brave, 5 (voiced by John C. Reilly) as a slightly squeamish sidekick, 1 who is the dictator overcome by fear, 8 who is a burly and comical brute, 6 who is deranged and obsessed with a symbol he draws constantly, and 3 and 4 who are archiving twins who know the history of the world and unlock many of the secrets of the machines. This dynamic bunch who are voiced by some of the best talent in Hollywood are a part of the glue that keeps the thinly written film from falling apart. Their interactions of joy, anger, and everything in between paired with the visuals come to the rescue.
"9" is flawed in its execution and yet it is still one of the most intriguing releases of recent memory. If this is the beginning of Shane Acker's career as a director, then this reviewer can't wait to see some of his more seasoned future work.
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Andrew Gibbs
posted 1/30/10 @ 11:31 AM EST
Shane Acker's film 9, opens with a creepy sewing scene as the mad and soon to be dead scientist puts the finishing touches on Number 9, the last of his creations. (Continued…)
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