9

Rating

Director

Shane Acker

Screenplay

Pamela Pettler, Shane Acker

Length

79 min.

Starring

Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly, Crispin Glover, Jennifer Connelly, Fred Tatasciore, Elijah Wood, Alan Oppenheimer

MPAA Rating

PG-13 for violence and scary images.

Review

There was a time in world history when workers were afraid that machines, newly invented and entirely foreign to their ways of life, were thought to be the potential end of civilization. 9 taps into that historical frame of reference and tells a sort of what-if story about what might have happened had automatons gained sentience.

Technology was their friend and a scientist (voiced interestingly enough by Alan Oppenheimer who shares a common name with the creator of the atomic bomb) was certain that his new machines would revolutionize the world, but their ability to think turned them against human civilization. They annihilated every remnant of society, leaving behind a wasteland.

But, the scientist, knowing where he had gone wrong began constructing animatronic puppets that would not only have the ability to think and act, but would house a small portion of his mind, helping control their actions and lead them on an assault against the very machines he created.

Based on the short film director Shane Acker received an Academy Award for, 9 expands the concept to feature length hoping to recapture the exhilaration and relevance the original possessed. Unfortunately, either because of his own hubris or thanks to studio pressure or the co-writing pen of Pamela Pettler, the story transformed into your garden variety animated, sci-fi adventure that lacked a certain humanity that it was supposed to represent.

The film, although an enjoyable one, features a number of voice performances that barely surpass the weak characterizations inherent in big studio productions like Ice Age or Monsters vs. Aliens. There’s an admirable attempt in many scenes to create something more than just a stylish visual and entertaining adventure. There is a notable, though flawed attempt to make a statement against artificial intelligence and warn future generations about the danger of trying to create emotion in something inherently emotionless.

Unfortunately, this kind of adventure might have held more relevance had it been released in the 1980s or even as far back as the 1950s when society was concerned about the evaporation of jobs due to automated replacements. While it’s still an issue for many people, the thought of replacement by a machine is far less prevalent than concern over just a general reduction in workforce, automatons or not.

The timeliness and effectiveness of films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers or Blade Runner was due to the global environment into which they were released. The Communist infiltration concerns of the Cold War or the threat of dark, insidious corporations gaining control of our lives, is what made these films great. Even watching them in retrospect, you can see the period of history influencing the direction of the film. 9 doesn’t have comparable events to draw parallels to. Instead, we’re forced to try to remember a period of our history that few have experienced outside of a textbooks. There is no external influence to act as impetus to the motives and execution of the film.

While it may not be everything it needs to be in terms of societal implications or real world relevance, it remains a visually stunning adventure film that entertains suitably well. While I would have liked more depth and conviction than I got, a sort of half-hearted attempt at pertinence, at least the journey is enjoyable enough.

Review Written

January 10, 2010