DVD reviews: 9

The words “Produced by Tim Burton” should be a dead giveaway that a film is likely to err on the side of creepy. Post-apocalyptic robot/doll cartoon 9 does nothing to break with convention.

Born of a 10-minute short, first time director Shane Acker has conjured into life a collection of odd little dolls, each individually numbered, that find themselves hiding in the ashes of civilisation. First among them is 9, who springs to life only to discover his creator laying dead.

9′s plot doesn’t waste any time getting into the action. Within moments of awakening, the talking burlap purses are waging war against robot cat skeletons and crashing through an outsized world in an attempt to deactivate a giant brain that’s after their souls (of course).

Character movement is roundly impressive – while the stylised sack-people look like toys, their motion is fluid and realistic. The world of 9 is also terrifyingly realised. Exploring its smoking and glowing-green ruins is definitely the film’s chief pleasure.

Apart from looking magic, sound design is also well put together. Metallic creaks and lurches are deep and the ever-present sound of wind rustling through the wasteland heightens the sense of place.

Elijah Wood provides his special brand of whiney shouting for our hero, at least once he finds his voice. 9 keeps excellent company, though, with the likes of John C Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer giving life to the other numbered homunculi.
The real shame is that 9 never gets beyond a great idea. Although every element displays real care and craft, in the end it has nothing to say. TG

Sound: 4

Vision: 4 1/2

Movie: 3 1/2