9 - seemingly dark, but gorgeously crafted animation

Shuchi Dubey

Hello Dear readers,

In the last blog I gave a review of one science fiction based movie and I am glad to get a good response on it. I mean “REALLY GLAD” [img_assist|nid=607|title=|desc=|link=none|align=|width=50|height=47]to know that there is so many curious science fiction fans that regularly check Kalkion. In my last blog I also mentioned about one of my real interest these days, animation. And today’s review is about an animation movie that I recently watched and would consider it to be one of the best-animated motion pictures of this year (If I may, I’ll say of this century). Since animation came into the bandwagon of motion picture we have seen tremendous growth of creativity in this section of movie making.

[img_assist|nid=604|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=left|width=92|height=75] So what’s new about the animation movie “9”. Well I would almost everything…I somehow got hooked after seeing the trailers of this movie. And believe me when I say it that this movie isn’t your regular “feel good”, “funny” and “aesthetically crafted” animations . In one word, it’s “dark”.[img_assist|nid=605|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=right|width=139|height=82] So if you are planning to take your kids for a science fiction-based animation movie…this is a BIG “no…no”. Why? As I said its dark, serious and kind of creepy…well atleast with the sound.

Ofcourse we have seen a lot of movie where world is coming to an end with the advent of machines. Some of the examples are “ the Terminator saga” (that I believe is still ongoing), “War of the Worlds” and so on… but this one is different because of the way its has been created. This is the first animation I have seen, where they are depicting “end of the world” scenario, that’s why its plot is dark and serious. There aren’t many (or should say hardly any) comical moments in the movie. As always, the voice actors have done a great job, the camera work is awesome and the plot never goes off course. Sounds’ promising isn’t it!!! So I will promise not to spill the beans… just check out the snippets and decide for yourself.[img_assist|nid=606|title=|desc=|link=popup|align=right|width=198|height=118]

Snippets of 9:

An animation about post-apocalyptic world where all humans are gone

Consists of 9 characters (which are totally a different kind of specie)

One of the character discover that they have a fair chance of survival against the world of machines

How will they fight the powerful machines and survive, is the way the movie will progress and end.

The resilient group of characters (voice actors) includes: 1 (Christopher Plummer), a domineering war veteran; 2 (Martin Landau), an aged inventor; 5 (John C. Reilly), a stalwart mechanic; 6 (Crispin Glover), a visionary and artist; 7 (Jennifer Connelly), a brave warrior and 9 (Elijah Wood), who displays leadership qualities that may help them to survive

Sound effects and special effects are comparable to an actual motion picture

Well-timed and well-paced story with a good amount of mystery that will keep you hooked till the end.

I don’t know how many of you are fans of Tim Burton’s animated movies before, but if “Corpse Bride” ring a bell, then maybe you can compare “9” with that. Except in Corpse Bride there were lighter moments too. If you are looking for an animation adventure with gorgeously dark, unique camera work, striking visual effects and a smart plot with a worthy message, then 9 a “MUST WATCH”!!!

Author:

Shuchi Dubey