9

Watching the Tim Burton produced “9” is like watching a videogame. The product was developed back in 2005 as a short, animated and dialogue-free segment that managed to snag an Academy Award nomination. Now, developed for the big screen as a feature length motion picture, director Shane Acker and writer Pamela Pettler have flooded the concept with humorless, senseless and dull elements that couldn’t please the viewer for ten minutes let alone 79 minutes.

The movie is undoubtedly similar to “Wall-E” which centered on a robot in a post-apocalyptic world with the entire human population having died out. The likeable Wall-E, alone for what seemed like an eternity, runs into drop-dead gorgeous robot (at least to the mechanical character). “9” is nearly the exact story, except in place of a robot we have a rag doll named 9. Voiced by Elijah Wood, the doll awakens shortly after the death of his inventor to discover the entire human race as been wiped out by giant and violent mechanical creatures. He takes it upon himself to lead the search for the source of his life force hoping to ensure the survival of civilization’s legacy.

The computer-generated animation is magnificent, but that’s about the only aspect of “9” that’s truly engrossing. Considering this flick was already in production during the release of “Wall-E”, it’s by no means a copycat, however, having already seen Disney’s product, there aren’t many surprises to behold in Acker’s picture. Nevertheless, had I’d seen “9” first, I doubt my opinion toward the film would differ. It’s almost irritating to watch as the movie’s central argument has absolutely no impact on the viewer.

The characters are lifeless. These should be unique and charming little dolls, however, the viewer is practically forced to hope the protagonists kill them off so the movie can finally be over with. There’s nothing endearing about them, with the interaction between them being far from engaging.

Acker has developed an hour and twenty minute period of depression. It’s so gloomy that taking a few anti-depression pills prior to viewing “9” may not be such a bad idea. The viewer has nothing to root for and that’s the biggest problem the picture runs into. It’s simply a repetitive cycle of run and chase scenes that lead to a dead end every time.

I’m very disappointed with the outcome of “9”. With Tim Burton being producer and the film’s cast consisting of talent like Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly, this should have been an engrossing work of art. Instead, it’s an utter letdown that feels like a nightmare.