 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
9
- Review Date: August 26, 2009
- PG-13
- Genre: Fantasy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Visually stunning but scary fantasy for older tweens and up.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this dark, futuristic Tim Burton-produced fantasy may be animated, but it's not meant for younger kids. Violence and scary scenes are prevalent throughout the film, with the main characters frequently battling killer robotic machines -- which are merciless as they pursue (and, in several cases, kill) their ragdoll-like prey in frightening ways. The robots also make alarming noises and often pop up out of the blue. Dead human bodies are shown briefly, but there's no gore. On the up side, despite the movie's ominous tone and frequent peril and violence, there's no language, drinking, consumerism, or sexual content.
What's the story?
Based on writer-director Shane Acker's 2005 Oscar-nominated short, 9 is set in a post-apocalyptic world where all that's left of humanity is a band of ragdoll-like beings created by an unnamed elderly scientist. When the final ragdoll, 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood), awakens, he sets off to explore his world. He stumbles upon another creature like him, 2 (Martin Landau), but they're quickly attacked by a mechanical beast, and 2 is taken. 9 joins up with the remaining ragdolls, who are split between those who want to confront the murderous machine to save 2 and those who want to hide from it. After 9 inadevertently powers up an even bigger machine, the group has no choice but to attempt to destroy the killer robot.
Is it any good?
Acker is a gifted filmmaker. The movie's visuals are breathtakingly crafted, and everything in a scene -- from the buttons and zippers on the ragdoll creatures' bodies to the stained-glass window in a deserted cathedral -- is amazingly detailed. The pacing is also just right. At only 79 minutes, the suspense is crisply edited, with a couple of moments earning audible gasps from the audience. Based on style alone, this is a brilliant, five-star film.
But story-wise, Acker falls a bit short. The plot is minimalist, and all of the characters -- aged and jaded leader 1 (Christopher Plummer), fiercely brave 7 (Jennifer Connelly), sweet but scared 5 (John C. Reilly), introverted artist 6 (Crispin Glover), and mute librarian twins 3 and 4 -- deserve more depth. We see 9 from his "birth," but the rest of the gang isn't nearly as strongly sewn together. Still, plot shortcomings aside, 9 is a must-see for its impressive, inventive animation.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's violence and scary scenes. Is it any less scary because humans aren't involved, or is it still intense?
What is the movie saying about technology? Is technology portrayed negatively in other films?
Who do you think the movie's intended audience is? Do you think young kids will want to see it?
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AGE
Well, first of all, in response to Seanachai's review, the ending did not mean that there would never be life again. If you noticed, the rain that splattered on the camera had green flecks. That was bacteria, meaning life would start again from scratch. Anyway, the movie. Amazing special effects, scary monsters, stressful situations (in a good way) and most of all, learning to not leave anyone behind. A great movie, but not for kids under the age of ten. There is definitely the stuff of nightmares in there, and gruesome deaths, even if the worst of it is robots. Several of 9's friends die and do not return, which kids may find upsetting. Anyway, that's all I'm going to say, I don't want to spoil the movie. In short, amazing. Take your kids if they're 10 or older.
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AGE
depressing but great movie about the end is powerful
i love this movie it is great but some intense imagrey
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AGE
lame and pointless. advertising is smoke and mirrors
this movie was incredibly lame and poorly written. i would have enjoyed it more if they had spent as much time writing the script as they did with all the tiny visual details. the machines were scary and creative but inapropriate for a younger audience which, if you're going to make an animated movie, children will naturally be drawn. (no pun intended) pointless and shabby. younger teens who are just looking for a visually pleasing film might like it, but if you enjoy a meaty film with a plot and ending that actually goes somewhere, take a pass. REMEMBER: tim burton did not direct this film, he produced it with three other people. the fact that they advertise it with his name all over it is unbelievably misleading.
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AGE
Heroic characters in a post-human world
Apparently human ambition and a power-hungry military will lead to doomsday technology that can and does destroy all life. All except for the ragdolls created by one now-deceased scientist to preserve the human spirit. The situation is more than grim; it is nightmarish.
We "awake" with 9 to a world littered with dead humans still covered with flesh (so the holocaust isn't long past). We learn with 9 that the only "beings" in this world are ragdolls, robots and other creations of technology. The message seems to be both a warning of apocalyptic horrors awaiting us and a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit (unfortunately with the actual human).
I admired the heroic ragdolls who embodied much of what's best about humanity. They forgave one another's mistakes and shortcomings, tolerated differences, repaired one another's injuries, saved one another from destruction, and, in the end, sacrificed so that other's could live.
Adorable heroes, horrible villains (the machines), nearly non-stop violence and bloodless death on a bleak landscape of urban ruin. And, in the end, we're left in a ragdoll world without hope of any real life. Bit of a downer.
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AGE
Definitely not for kids.
This is WAY too dark for children 9 and younger. The premise here is that humans have all been killed in this dystopic vision of the future where killer machines have taken over. There is an oppressive sense of doom and fear throughout the movie and in my mind it would leave lasting psychological scars on elementary school children. Just because kids see violence and scary stuff all too often in today's culture is no reason to fill their heads with a vision that is difficult for them to mentally bear. I will not let my 7 and 9 year old see this until they're 12 or older. That being said, I completely enjoyed it as an adult and was amazed at how much humanity the animators were able to create in the rag dolls. I highly recommend seeing this yourself first before taking your children.
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AGE
Visually Dominant, but Ultimately Confusing.
This is a good film. Good visuals, good action... but that's it. The most dangerous problem here is the plot holes. You could literally fall into the plot holes becuase they're so big. That's all I have to say about this short, poorly-written film. Thanks for reading. -Movie Man
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AGE
Dark,short and loud
From K:I saw this movie with my 3 BFFFS about 1 1/2 hours ago. I guess it was good but it was dark loud and kinda disturbing. One of my BFFFS had to give me hand signals to look if there were violence and there was A LOT.
From B:
I luved this movie!The visual effects were amazing.It was kinda scary though,and it was SO short!But overall it's a great movie.
From A:
the movie could have gone alot longer.
it was also alot like wall-e for the teen set
From D:
Well, I am 13 years old and I thought this movie was great. I am not scared easily so this movie did not bother me, but it probably will to some people. The effects were mind-blowing, the plot was great but kind of dark and the characters set a good example. Overall, I thought the movie was good but it may be disturbing for some younger kids.
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AGE
***CONTAINS SPOILERS***At first you see dead bodies, (including that of a baby on a little bike meant for infants, a mother with a child in her lap, and a scientist lying pale on the floor), and the first time the life is sucked out of someone, it is very disturbing and sad. But once you get used to the scariness, the movie is absolutley incredible. It's an ingenious creation. Not for sensitive people. There was an adult woman in the seat next to me who started crying, then a boy who was at least 7 sitting in the front seat, who walked out of the theater saying how awesome the movie was. And he was right, 9 is an awesome movie. You cant miss it.
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AGE
Creative, violent, an entertaining 90 minutes.
It is very creative and has interesting characters that have a heart. It is a mixture of machines and animals and uniquely combines antiques with futuristic concepts. It will appeal to adults and pre-teens. However, the plot was a bit lacking - it is all machines against creatures, violent from start to finish. My 12 year old son understood the plot better than I did.
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AGE
Short, but enjoyable and breathtakingly offbeat.
I give this movie props in the first place for just showing us that animated 3d movies don't all have to be about cute characters dancing around in happy situations. This movie's dark, gritty, and solemn tone is refreshing to see, and yet it is still appropriate for most preteens. However, being a dark movie, it's ending is not exactly the happiest, and some younger preteens might be confused by its complex post-apocalyptic setting. Action is bloodless, but the few corpse shown have a creepy realistic look to them, and some of the robots have frightening shrieks and looks as well. The worst the violence gets to is a man being gunned down by a machine gun, but you only see the body fall to the ground. Most characters still manage to have a little cute quality to them, and are lovable throughout the short movie. However, remember this is not a "happy" film, you will probably enjoy it, but the ending might just leave you with tears if your a sensitive type. All in all, I absolutely loved it. Not perfect, as the plot feels a bit rushed, but good enough to be one of my favorites. A must for those 11 and up who want some action in an animated movie.
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| Studio: | Focus Features |
| Director: | Shane Acker |
| Cast: | Christopher Plummer, Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Run time: | 79 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 9, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | December 29, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | violence and scary images. |
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