9 – Blu-ray Review
The Film:
If anything, 9 is a stunningly animated film, as we could all attest to from the marketing campaign, and while it doesn’t move the bar higher on animation, like Pixar seems to do with each film, it is nonetheless one of most beautifully rendered CG cartoons outside of that Mouse House owned studio. I don’t want to sound unimpressed, as this level of work might get them noticed, but pretty pictures are a dime a dozen. A little effort, some money, you can have a gorgeous looking picture. But much like candy, after the sugar rush is gone, you feel a little sick for indulging on it so much. It’s empty calories, as my mom always told me, and I think that’s a superb metaphor for 9.
Now, a film can be just for fun, for entertainment, and that’s what mostly animated cartoons are for. While Pixar, Disney, and Miyazaki add some depth to their films, and in turn makes them timeless and possible classics, it isn’t a requirement. I can rattle off a number of animated films, that I thoroughly enjoy, that don’t have a lick of any depth or meaning. The key difference between those films and 9, is that 9 tries to add depth, but it’s all surface level, paper thin, mumbo-jumbo that makes 9 so damn aggravating, because it was so close to being so great.
I know the marketing team has been vague on what 9 really is, and good. I was ready for an adventure and something new, unique, and for the most part, 9 delivers. Shane Acker, the director, has a knack for staging some incredible action scenes, and they are thrilling.
But what 9 is, well, the best way I can say it, is that imagine if Tim Burton (and no people, he did not direct this), with all of his mannerisms and stylistic sensibilities, directed a version of the Book of Revelations, with the battle for life in the hands of puppets and robots, instead of man and the devils. The film has this paper thin subtext of religious hokum that is just as hard to swallow as a ferocious pit of fire and three-headed beasties. If anything, the Book of Revelations is a fine bit of imaginative storytelling, because that’s all it is. Every person on the planet, has a different view on the End of Days, and Acker’s take is just as interesting, but it doesn’t go too full-on, and contracts backwards on itself.
9 is using Christian theology, and that’s fine as Christianity has provided writers with 2,000 years of ample ideas for stories, but here it’s oddly handled, with this scientist who is clearly a man, creating life. A Dr. Frankenstein, so to speak, but he has grander goals that the Mary Shelley creation, who just wanted to be like God, here he wants to have humanity continue on (the film picks up after man is gone). This causes for some flip-flop ideas, as the point of humanity, in Christian terms, is to eventually end, going back to God. The scientist, a man, is a God to these puppets who wants life to continue. Whatever religion you follow, one thing is certain: man will most likely end life himself through war or famine, than a fateful Judgment Day. And in 9, that’s what happens, man ends himself. Sadly, that was our free will to do so, but why does this one little scientist, who is playing God, buck that idea, and think life should continue?
Besides this, a character called “1″ looks like a pope, “9″ itself is some sort of savior, and the very last scene evokes a sense of “9″ renewing life. Again, this is fine to have in a picture, but 9 doesn’t push it further to make itself an allegory, or at the very least, making it a deeper experience. It’s probably the need to appeal to a vast audience, but pick a side. Be a simple fun, animated film, or be something deeper, but choose, because at this point it is neither.
I know, I know, these are a lot of questions and ideas, but the film presents them. It’s all religious psycho-babble that doesn’t add depth, just a hollow attempt at a “meaning”. It’s frustrating, not because I disagree with the attempt of this, but the lack of really following through on it. I doubt that repeated viewings will unveil anything new or deeper. It really is just as hollow as those cloth characters. This failure is what hurts 9 because it is really worth seeing, just an empty experiment, much like the candy my mom warned me about eating before dinner. I think my analysis of the subtext might turn off some, but 9 is a really good attempt at originality. It came so close to be something special. Close, but no cigar.
The Blu-ray:
Audio/Video: It should be no surprise that the film looks absolutely gorgeous on high def. Universal has given us a rich looking film, crafted straight from the digital source. Colors are bright and bursting off the screen, clarity is high, and I can fully say that this presentation is better here, than it was theatrically.
The DTS track is all sorts of power. Rear speaker activity is constantly active, bass is deep, and directional elements in the action scenes make for a audiophile’s dream. Only slight downside, is vocals are a little low during some scenes, and that’s a but disappointing. Regardless, Universal has crafted yet another fine Blu-ray.
Commentary: Shane Acker appears here with his animation director and head story writer, and they deliver a furious, yet informative track. They talk all things 9; the story, character motivations, the world, and so on. You are going to have to look for this under Audio Options, but it’s a superb chat.
U-Control: This Picture-in-Picture feature is a solid effort, with plenty of interviews, footage from the recording sessions, art work, and more, making for a pretty good extra to wade through. Even if you chose this over the commentary, little is repeated.
The Original Short: Of course this as been online for a while, but it’s nice to have it included here. In SD, this is a wickedly good short. Better than the feature? Hmm, maybe. It also has an optional commentary with Acker.
The Long and Short of It: In HD, this excellent piece shows us how the short went from just that, to a feature film.
On Tour with Shane Acker: In HD, this quickly shows us what departments had a hand in helping in the final product.
The Look of 9: In HD, this 13 minute featurette is pretty engrossing as it takes us through the creation of the film and the world. Definately worth a look.
Acting Out: In HD, we get a quick chat with the animation team on how they had to make the digital characters act.
Some ho-hum Deleted Scenes and some BD-Live elements round out a stellar package of extras.
Conclusion: 9 is certainly a stunning film to look at, but as for the story, it is too incomplete for me to really rally around. The Universal Blu-ray is near perfect, with some solid extras.
The Film: Rating: 
The Blu-ray: Rating:
