Posted by Darian Darqly on September 13, 2009

9

Categories: Featured Articles, reviews | 2 responses

Movie review by Darian Darqly

Tim Burton’s latest offering, as producer, is a total thrill ride! It’s a must see for all you little “darqlings” out there! 9 is a feast for the eyes, as well as, the imagination. It was written and directed by Shane Acker and gathers an all-star cast of voice talent: Elijah Wood, Christopher Plummer & Jennifer Connelly to name a few.

The film is not merely an eye-popping assault on the senses, it also packs a powerful moral punch wrapped in a dizzying array of spectacular characters and nightmarish creatures. However, the message of the film speaks without coming accross as preachy and without suffering any loss of plot. The story line is emotionally charged and refreshingly difficult to predict (though, of course, yours truly figured it out just in time for the crescendo ending).

I enjoyed the use of mystical symbolism that closely associated the main characters, 9 dolls affectionately known by the films creator as “stitchpunks,” with the aspects of the soul on the kabbalistic tree of life (don’t know if the association was purposeful or coincidental, but it was a fascinating comparison for me, nevertheless). One of the stitchpunks, “6,” reminded me of a Jewish Kabbalist. The material he’s made from even resembles the attire of a Jew from a WWII concentration camp and he encourages the others to return to “the source” (Kabbalah?). “6″ wears a symbolic key around his neck and seems to understand the mysteries that “1″ (who obviously represents the church by his papal dress, shuns as dark and forbidden science. The film does appear to wield some heavy handed commentary on the failures and abuses of Christianity (which I thoroughly appreciated).

The dank and dismal, post-apocalyptic setting made me feel right at home. 9 is adequately dark and even scary in parts (enough so that I wouldn’t recommend it for small children – unless they’re a Darqly or an Addams’ child). OK, I may have jumped once or twice, but don’t tell a soul! It is an animated film for adults! Cheers! I hope there are plenty more to follow.

I was also deliberate about seeing the film at 9-ish on 09/09/09. I give 9 three thumbs up; it made me feel like a twisted child again.