Product Details

• Actors: Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover, Martin Landau, Alan Oppenheimer, Christopher Plummer
• Directors: Shane Acker
• Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: December 29, 2009
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002UOMH00
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #860 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #24 in	Movies & TV > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Fantasy Adventures
  #44 in	Movies & TV > Animation > Science Fiction
  #70 in	Movies & TV > Animation > Feature Films

• For more information about "9" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Nine small rag dolls, stitched together from burlap and clock workings and lenses, are all that stands in the way of the world being overtaken by the Machines. Actually, as 9 begins, it looks like the Machines have already had their way with Earth: this is one of those post-apocalyptic landscapes without life, hope, or sunlight. Clearly 9 director Shane Acker is willing to make an animated film that doesn't soar with Disney colors or Pixar cheer--in fact, main characters are killed off before the movie's halfway through. Our hero is 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood), so dubbed for the number on his back; after awakening to very confused consciousness, he bumps into other puppet survivors, such as the imperious 1 (Christopher Plummer), the warrior-like 7 (Jennifer Connelly), and the one-eyed comic sidekick 5 (John C. Reilly). They do battle with the Machines in a relentless (and eventually monotonous) series of battles, and the exploding hardware and endless warfare has a tendency to crowd out whatever character development might have been set up in the opening minutes. No question the movie's design is impressive, and the characters have a wonderfully expressive quality at first. But at some point it seems the Machines have taken over the moviemaking here, with tedious results. --Robert Horton

Product Description

From visionary filmmakers Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas) and Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) and Academy Award®-nominated director Shane Acker comes this visually stunning and original epic adventure. In the final days of humanity, a dedicated scientist gives the spark of life to nine of his creations. The world has turned into an unrecognizable landscape of machines and spare parts, but this group of nine finds that if they band together, their small community might just be able to change the course of history. Featuring the voice talents of Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly and Crispin Glover, it’s a thrilling, suspenseful story critics call “richly imaginative.” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie. Nevermind the People Who Got Bored and Felt 9 Was Rushed or Anti-Climactic., November 8, 2009

By	Damon Smith "MrCoffin23" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

WARNING: I'm about to spoil a message at the ending of the movie, 9. I've moved my old review hear because the theatrical release site got deleted.

The scene when the souls of 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 leave to the sky and burst into the clouds to make it rain, you would see omoebas forming from the inside of the rain drops. That simply is telling you 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8 are starting evolution and life all over again. Its an amusing scene to watch and intriguing. Makes you think for yourself.

9 is visually stunning. Its a post-apocalyptic world of machines turning against humanity and slowly killing every human being on the planet. One scientist is left to create 9 rag dolls. The machines (B.R.A.I.N., stands for Binary Reactive Artifcially Intelligent Neurocircuit) were originally created by humanity to serve peace and protect them but the government forced the Scientists to let them use it for war, and that eventually went beyond B.R.A.I.N.'s limits and the machines turned against them slowly killing every human being on the planet, leaving the last Scientist to transfer his life force into 9 rag dolls to save humanity from total extinction (Scientist's voiced by Alan Oppemheimer).

A Talisman is a device the Scientist (voiced by Alan Oppemheimer) created so that it would collect the souls (spirits, or alive energy) from the stitchpunks (rag dolls). Its the device that has those 3 cryptic symbols on it and it glows green if there are souls traped inside. The scientist explains to 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood) how the talisman works in this movie. I hope this explains a little more about what is going on in 9.

1 (voiced by Christopher Plummer)
2 (voiced by Martin Landau)
3 & 4 are unable to speak so there is no voice overs for these characters.
5 (voiced by John C. Reilly)
6 (voiced by Crispin Glover)
7 (voiced by Jennifer Connelly. The only female of the 9 rag-dolls)
8 (voiced by Fred Tatasciore)
9 (voiced by Elijah Wood)
Director: Shane Acker
Producers: Tim Burton
Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted)
Written By: Shane Acker (Original Story)
Pamela Pettler
Ben Gluck

9 the movie might be a little too short for some people. Its run-time is approx 80 minutes. Although all the visuals are well crafted and unique then other filmaking's vision of the extinction of humanity. The machines are well made as well and can be too scary for children ages 7 and up (or maybe not, I have underestimated children because some of them do enjoy these half scary and action/PG-13 movies and 9 is actually a fairly clean movie). There are good reasons for 9 to be rated PG-13. Its rated PG-13 for Violence and Scary Images. Its rated 12A in the U.K. by BBFC for Moderate Sustained Threat. Overall, 9 the movie is amazing to me and can be amazing for other people if they like these post-apocalypic/extinction futuristic movies. Personally, I am giving 9 a full price. Its exciting, amusing and it will make you think for yourself near the ending of this film. 9 is not boring at all, I don't understand whats all the complaining about. Yea, so what if there was an attraction with 7 (Jennifer Connelly) and 9 (Elijah Wood), Honestly, I don't care. Yes, they don't have private parts. I don't think they were meant to. The ending of this movie fits well together if thats you understand what Omoebas are. If you don't like movies that make you think, you are better off not seeing this. I thought 9 was one of the best movies of the year, the visuals of the crafted machines and what would happen if humanity become extinct visuals is amazing to watch alone. Full price movie all the way.

I almost forgot to say something else. The reason why all these Stitchpunk characters has no background stories is because they were just born in this movie. The only background story is the Scientist who gave life to the 9 stitchpunks and when the machines turn against humanity, that was it. If you don't understand, then you just don't get it. Not my problem. Watch the ending of this movie carefully without any high expectations because I think thats the biggest downfall of the audience and what leads them into hating the movie. Its not anti-climactic at all, people were simply expecting the movie to satisfy what they wanted to see from it. 9 is still a fantastic film as it is. But I am not truely forcing ANYBODY to understand this film. I can understand if its not really your cup of tea. I did like it a lot better when I was learning all the emotions of the 9 stitchpunks because it made the movie look more original and fun that way. The message at the end was not so harsh or disturbing. It was actually more interesting. Again, people just expected way too much from Shane Acker's latest creation. Again, 9 was an excellent film. If you are looking for something with a lot of background stories, then you should skip this movie completely because everyone who had the same expectations end up hating the movie. Though if you are looking for an original post-apocalypic film about the extinction of humanity that has no limits or rules, then 9 is for you.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Awsome! Dark atmospheric fantasy!, November 8, 2009

By	N. Williams - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Finally a big budget animated movie for grown ups! I saw this movie twice in the theaters and I wish I had gone to see it once more. Simple story that makes you think and also leaves you to wonder. Each character serves a purpose and you immediately become immersed in the dark forbidding setting. The eerie setting and chilling creatures are unsettling and fascinating. This is a visually mesmerizing and thought provoking film that may not appeal to all audiences but certainly appealed to this movie goer!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Shane Acker's Animated Film is Original And an Exercise in Oddity..., September 11, 2009

By	Woopak "The THRILL" (Where Dark Asian Knights Dwell) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: 9 [Theatrical Release] (Theatrical Release)

Based on the award-winning short film by Shane Acker, the CGI-animated full-length feature film "9" intends to expand on its myth and story. Acker himself takes the helm as director in this film co-produced by Tim Burton along with Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted). When I first saw the trailer for "9", I was blown away. I tempered my expectations when I went into the theater and did watch the film with an open mind. The film is a visually stunning piece with superb set designs and fluid animation whose style may have been inspired by traditional stop-motion animation.

In unknown time and place, a curious doll-like creature with the number "9" (Elijah Wood) on its back awakens to find his supposed creator (voiced by Alan Oppenheimer) dead. "9" has awakened in a barren world, this world is now a wasteland, destroyed by war; a war waged between humans and machines. "9" discovers that he is not alone, stumbling across a similar creature called "2" (Martin Landau) who also gets kidnapped by a mechanical monster. "9" then discovers that he is a "stitch punk" and there are more of his kind being led by "1" (Christopher Plummer). "9" sets out to rescue "2" but instead awakens an evil with the use of a talisman that may doom them all. It is now up to "9" and his brethren to try to discover the truth behind their creation....

"9" is the last created "stitch punk" and he is the final piece of the puzzle in the "9" mythos. These creatures are miniature creations that resemble a sack held together by either leather strings, metal snaps, buttons, zippers, or shoe strings. They have camera-like eyes and instant access to their innards. The characters in "9" are well thought out, # 1 is the supposed leader and the cautious kind--whose sensibilities are all about preservation. # 2 is the explorer and the inventor. # 3 and 4 are twins who are also mute, they keep the history of mankind. # 5 (John C. Reilly) is a healer and a skilled mechanic. # 6 (Crispin Glover) has near-psychic abilities who channels his visions through his drawings. # 7 (Jennifer Connelly) is a warrior and # 8 is the bodyguard of # 1, strong and fierce, yet innocent in a way. # 9 is the curious, selfless protagonist of the film. There is something relevant in the number "9", one can say that they are different "characters" or potentials of mankind. Acker definitely intended the film to revolve around the creatures in creating this world so full of obstacles that this miniaturized creatures can take advantage of with their size. Acker's keenness and passion for his creations are the film's highlights; the film is a stunning work of visual marvel and storytelling. It is a grand display of idiosyncrasy.

The world that the "stitch punks" live in is pretty barren with nothing else left living. While the characters can indeed be enthralling, Acker does lose his way a little in the film's direction. When you think about the plot in "9"; it makes very little sense. I found it hard to believe that `stitch punks' #'s 1-8 never had the chance to try and figure out their reasons of being. # 7 also points out that there is a battle but none were visible, save one mechanical beast, which was by the way dispatched so easily. No other machines were shown up until the `awakening' was brought into bear. I also found it hard to believe that there are no other surviving `organisms'; war is indeed horror but insects would always survive. Details were left out, giving the viewer several plot gaps to fill in.

The `stitch punks' characterization seem to be presented as they know what to do, but they don't know what and why they are there for. I found hard to buy into the fact that these creatures were designed as the `hope for the future' when they obviously were just contented to exist until events triggered by "9" managed to set things in motion. Time (and the passage of) needed to be more specific in the film to give the film's plot needed credibility. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered such as; why did it take so long for "9" to come along? How did the professor survive all those years? How many years have passed? The film's final act attempts to explain everything that also gives a sense of the mystical but it doesn't match its past groundwork. If they were meant to reignite the earth, then other things that you factor in such as the `mechanical monster-maker' would serve no purpose (can't discuss without spoiling the movie). The film is all about belief, philosophy and destiny with no viable application or expediency.

The animation-work in "9" is nicely executed. The colors, set designs are no means something really groundbreaking but I did appreciate its style. It does convey a mood that matches the film's tone. The film is also quite action-packed that action lovers will no doubt be entertained. The designs of the mechanical beasts were good, they mimic things that can be just freaky. The world of "9" is meticulously crafted. The film is a sci-fi mystery until things start to get moving, and the film becomes an actioner with plenty of swift although a bit repetitive movements. "7's" moves become redundant after awhile.

"9" isn't exactly a bad film but the film does feel too short and would have benefited to be much longer. Acker's storytelling had a lot of things going for it, but it just curiously stopped short in its execution and never realizes its journey. The `stitch punks' were involved in a mystery that had some compelling things going for it but they just weren't allowed to move around the depths of its core. Acker does rely too much on theatrics and never allows the viewer for a `nesting` stage to augment the wonder. The film is an average CGI-generated flick that may please those who like special-effects blockbusters but will turn off those who look for an intricate storyline. I appreciate brainless entertainment, but "9" pretends to have something deeper and ends up not fulfilling its promise. But "9" has its originality and vision. It is conscious that it is mighty eccentric and interesting; too bad the resolution is unsatisfying.

Recommended with caution, Rent it first [3 Stars= Good, Flawed But with Redeeming Qualities]