Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a huge fan of Tim Burton. Particularly, the work he has done with Johnny Depp. Yes, I realize this is a popular opinion to have these days, but the fact simply remains that they are a brilliant team. While 9 was not directed by Tim Burton, he was one of two producers – so still very much involved. Originally created as a short film with the same name, it’s a very interesting and very intelligent little movie which I enjoyed a lot. An animated thriller is not something you see every day, but this is an excellent example of a very high-quality one.
Plot Overview
9 takes place in an extremely post-apocalyptic world. We soon learn that there was a war between human and machine – and the machines won. Humanity has been wiped out and all that is left is one lingering, intelligent machine, and several other little beings. These creatures are tiny – no 
bigger than chess pieces. They are neither human nor machine, even they don’t understand what they are or why they’re there.
As they begin finding each other and trying to figure things out, they accidentally awaken something that has been long dormant. Something terrible, something that will cause inexplicable damage and destruction.
They must find out where they came from and what they are there for in order to stop it – all of humanity is at stake.
My Thoughts
This movie is not only entertaining and engaging but it truly captivates. It takes a good, hard look at technology, corruption, and our possible future if we let both of them continue to reign.
The characters are both cute and clever. They all have extremely distinct personalities and they all add a different level of value to the “team” effort that’s going on. There are certain characters that clash with each other and disagree quite strongly. And yet, in the end, they manage to work together, care about each other, and help each other out. It’s really a very interesting dynamic.
Beautiful Animation
The animation here is absolutely STUNNING. The little creatures are so intricately designed and the special effects, explosions, and pretty much every single visual aspect is just done so well. This movie is just as much a work of art as it is a film. The whole movie just had this gorgeous, dark, mystic feel about it, and it really spoke to the part of me that loves all things dark and creepy. The imagery was just beautiful.
The Message
I think the message here is strong. It’s a little fantastical, sure, but it rings true all the same. While the current advancements in technology are absolutely incredible and undoubtedly life-changing, we also can’t deny that it’s taking over our lives. The internet has become part of life, almost everyone has a smartphone. On a different level entirely, scientists are constantly working on artificial intelligence/robots and they’re making progress all the time. While the focus is technology, it does touch on political corruption, which is also running rampant in many parts of the world.
The world is dark and desolate, smart machines have literally wiped out humanity. In a way, we’re on that path.
It’s not all depressing though, there are some funny parts and some happier scenes – just enough to create a perfect balance.
Conclusion
It’s an exciting, suspenseful animation with cute, likable characters, a story with a message, and the perfect amount of Tim Burton flair. What’s not to like? If you’re an avid Tim Burton fan, I do suggest you check this one out. He didn’t direct this one, but you can still tell he was involved, and it’s a project he no doubt enjoyed being a part of.
Want to Watch?
It is available for purchase on Amazon:
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