9 (2009 animated film)

9
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Shane Acker
Screenplay by	Pamela Pettler
Story by	Shane Acker (original short) Ben Gluck (Supervisor)
Produced by	Tim Burton Timur Bekmambetov Jim Lemley Dana Ginsburg Jinko Gotoh
Starring	Elijah Wood John C. Reilly Jennifer Connelly Christopher Plummer Crispin Glover Martin Landau Fred Tatasciore
Edited by	Nick Kenway
Music by	Danny Elfman Deborah Lurie
Production companies	Relativity Media Starz Animation Tim Burton Productions
Distributed by	Focus Features
Release date	September 9, 2009 (2009-09-09)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	Template:Film US
Language	English
Budget	$30 million
Box office	$48,428,063

9 is a 2009 American computer-animated science fantasy adventure feature film directed by Shane Acker and produced by Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov. The film stars the voices of Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly, Jennifer Connelly, Crispin Glover, Fred Tatasciore, Martin Landau and Christopher Plummer. It is based on Acker's Academy Award-nominated 2005 short film of the same name. The screenplay for the film was written by Pamela Pettler, with casting by Mindy Marin, production design by Robert St. Pierre and Fred Warter, and art direction by Christophe Vacher.

Plot

The film opens with a scientist creating what appears to be a male ragdoll. He seems to transfer something into his creation, then dies immediately afterwards.

Sometime later, the ragdoll, 9, awakens. He finds an odd talisman, which he keeps inside his body. He looks off the edge of the table to find debris and the scientist's dead body on the floor. As he climbs and opens a window, he realizes he cannot speak as he tries to call to a being on the ground. He rushes to the outside world to find 2, a fellow lifeform, who installs a voice mechanism from a toy doll in 9, enabling him to speak. 9 shows 2 the talisman, which he seems to be delighted over. As 2 explains that there are more of their kind after 9 realizes they are not alone, the Cat Beast attacks. 9 hides in an empty soup can, while 2 attempts to fend it off, but to no avail as the Cat Beast takes the talisman and 2 off to parts unknown, and 9’s left shoulder is sliced severely. Despite his injury, 9 tries to follow the Cat Beast, but eventually passes out from the pain and exhaustion. Meanwhile, another lifeform, 5 watches from a high tower not too far away.

9 awakens again, being healed by 5 in his workshop. Just as he tries to explain what happened to 2, the leader, 1, and his bodyguard, 8, enter the room. 9 pleads that they must save 2, but 1 argues that there is no point. In the new area, a cathedral with a crashed plane embedded deeply in it. 1 reveals to 9 that when all of the others awoke, it was in a time of war, when machines turned against man and man struggled to survive. 9 continues to insist on finding 2, but 1's stubborn ways are not swayed. As they leave the room, 6 can be seen drawing a picture erratically. 5 and 9 head to the watchtower, where 9 shows 5 where 2 was taken; a large building of some sort. They decide to go forth and bring 2 back home. 5 finds his candle stick hat and wonders why he was out. After a while of going through sandy area to the building, they lose the map.

When they finally reach the large fortress, (in which another creation, only part of whom is seen finds their lost map) they find 2 in a birdcage, still alive. 9 notices the cat beast trying to clean away something and get out the strange device. But as they try to release him, the Cat Beast attacks and corners them. Suddenly, from out of the corner of 9's eye, a ninja strikes, blade in hand, cutting the Cat Beast’s head off. This ninja is revealed to be a female lifeform, 7, who had been gone for some time, and give 9 the lost map back. 9, exploring, finds something curious, which he believes to be where the talisman he found goes. He puts the talisman in place, but to the creations' dismay, the talisman glows green and sucks the soul out of 2, leaving him lifeless. Along with that, it awakens The Fabrication Machine, which they barely escape from. The Fabrication Machine constructs the Winged Beast to find and kill the last living creatures on the planet.

7 takes them back to her hideout, where the mute twins, 3 and 4, seem overjoyed to see them all. After meeting and examining 9, the twins reveal more about the war and the background of the Chancellor using the Scientist’s B.R.A.I.N. machine to create machines of war. 9 asks the twins of the symbols on the talisman, which they know nothing about, but 5 proclaims that 6 might, as he always likes drawing them. 7 rebukes 9 for wanting to go back to 1, and she leaves them once more. 5 and 9 head for the first hideout to speak with 1 and 6, as the Fabrication Machine is shown creating a horrible monster, the Winged Beast. When the creations return and ask 6 about the symbols, he repeats the phrase “the source, back to the source!” 1 scolds the others and 9 finally confronts him, calling him a coward. Suddenly, the Winged Beast flies in and attacks, nearly killing many of the creations and setting their home on fire as 7 arrives. In the end, they outsmart the monster, sending it into a propeller to be destroyed. However, 7 is badly wounded in the process, but survives as 9 saves her from the Beast. As the six search for a resting area, a blimp-like machine called a Seeker retrieves the head of the Beast and returns it to the Fabrication Machine, which has made more than 600 Spiderbots. Outraged by the death of its creation, it attempts to outdo itself, with a new monster more foul and sinister.

When they reach a new resting spot at about three in the morning, and 7 is healed, and 8 is sent to guard the new hideout, and makes himself drunk with a magnet but comes face to face with some flashing blue eyes that hypnotize him. It is revealed that 1 sent 2 out into the Emptiness to die, because of all of his ideas. After an argument, including 7 nearly killing 1, 9 calling her off in time, 7 departs from the others, distraught. 1 heads off by himself, only to come face to face with what looks like 2. Before he can escape, the eyes emit a blinding blue light that seems to entrance 1, leaving him helpless as the other end of this creature opens to reveal itself: the Seamstress. 7 comes to his aid, finding it had taken 8 as well, and fights the creature unsuccessfully. Despite 9’s efforts to save her, she is lost to the Seamstress. The remaining lifeforms hold a small funeral for 2. Without 8 to protect him, 1 is finally swayed to strike against the machines and make them pay for what they did.

The lifeforms make a move on the citadel, 9 tells 5 to stay outside with the others while he sneaks into the factory, coming too late to save 8, who has his soul stolen into the machine. He lures the Seamstress away from the Fabrication Machine and tricks it, being able to rip it open to save 7 while the beast is pulled into some gears and shattered into several pieces. Meanwhile, on the outside, the other lifeforms find a petrol barrel and roll it into the lair of the machines, lighting it, just as 9 and 7 escape. After watching the building burn, they all rejoice, listening to “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on a record player, 7 thanking 9 for saving her life. However, 5 discovers the Fabrication Machine survived the blast as he becomes separated from the others after chasing an errant record. He runs back yelling to them, to no avail, as he has his soul taken too, much to 9’s dismay and horror. The rest of the creations make for a bridge, as the Machine chases them. 6 stops the group, proclaiming “they’re all inside” and to not destroy it. Before anyone can do anything, the Fabrication Machine grabs 6 and pulls him to the other side, sucking his life away as well and dropping his body into a chasm. 9 argues to 7 and 1 to listen to 6’s final words, but they insist they must destroy the Machine.

Devastated, 9 heeds 6’s words to “return to the first room,” to where he was born as the others try to destroy the monster. When he returns, he finds a box in the dead hand of the Scientist, which he opens to reveal a video of the Scientist explaining that the creations are each parts of his personality, how he made the Machine, and how they can use the talisman to protect the future. Upon this discovery, 9 returns to the others, as they struggle to attack the Machine. During a brief respite as they hide, 9 explains to them he will sacrifice himself to the Machine so 7 can steal back the talisman, teaching her, 1 and the twins the sequence to the talisman.

The Machine finds them and causes an explosion that sends the remaining creations into the open, throwing 7 violently into a wooden post and injuring 1. Despite 7’s desperate pleas, 9 says goodbye to her, and tries to sacrifice himself to the Machine. However, 1 pushes him to the ground, giving his life instead. Incensed, 9 manages to retrieve the talisman, and suck the Machine’s life out and save the five souls trapped inside. The Machine explodes, but seemingly crushes 9 to death beneath. 7 and the twins find his lifeless body and believe he is dead, but rejoice when he reawakens in 7’s arms.

The film closes with 9 releasing the spirits of 1, 2, 5, 6, and 8 from the talisman. After a goodbye to them, they fly into the sky above as 9, 7, and the twins look on. 7 asks what they should do now, and 9 replies, “I’m not sure, exactly. But this world is ours now. It’s what we make of it.” A rainstorm starts, and in each raindrop, there are a number of bioluminescent bacteria, echoing the rebirth of the organic world.

Cast and characters

• 9 (Elijah Wood) is the Scientist's humanity. He is the main protagonist of the film. He has the parts that make him good-hearted, thoughtful, and sincere. He is always willing to risk his life to save others, and is very intelligent. He embodies the Scientist’s bravery and courage. He seeks the truth in the history of the creations, and wishes to know the meaning of life. He often clashes with the fearful leader of the creations, from their enemies. 9 is very selfless and has a strong heart, even attempting to sacrifice his life, so 7 could retrieve the Talisman from the Machine and save the souls: along with 7 and the twins 3 and 4, he is a survivor. 9 forms a strong, almost brother-like bond with the Healer of the group, 5. 9 has a zipper on his body to fasten his skin. He is the second creation from the original short. 9 immediately becomes enamored with 7, attempting and failing to flirt with her, saving her life, and holding her hand at the end.

• 8 (Fred Tatasciore) is the bully from the Scientist's personality. He wields the two halves of a scissor as his weapon. He is a master of his weapons, but is the least intelligent of the group. He is given to inebriation, as shown by his affinity for magnets that reduce his mental capacities. This is the assumed reason that he rarely speaks. The muscle and enforcer of the group, 8 was created to help the others physically survive the dangerous, post-apocalyptic world. 8 isn't very clever and is easily deceived. 8 is especially susceptible to 1's doctrines, so he becomes 1's personal weapon for the film. He is prone to bully the others, especially 6 as shown in the Deleted Scenes, but is also protective of them (such as defending 9 from the Winged Beast's harpoon when it shoots 7). 8 is the second to die.

• 7 (Jennifer Connelly) is the warrior part of the Scientist's personality. She is the only female creation. A rebel and a loner, she is willing to take many risks for the good of her people. She is kind and caring for others, and is very protective towards 3 and 4. Near the end of the film, 7 shows her vulnerability, most notably when she believes 9 is crushed to death. Her canvas skin’s color has been bleached away by the sun, leaving her a moonstone-white; and she uses a blade mounted on a long staff for fighting. She wears a helmet made from a dead bird's skull as well as two bird feathers hanging down her back, covering up her briefly shown scar that covers her number. She was the first to reject 1's fearful teachings, and has spent the time leading up to the film in the wilderness fighting the Cat Beast on her own. Her skin is fastened together by stitching and a green button on her chest. Along with 9 and the twins, she is a survivor. As a hardened warrior, she hasn't let anyone into her heart for a long time, but she is gradually softened towards 9, eventually becoming a close friend and developing a special love for him.

• 6 (Crispin Glover) is the artistic portion of the Scientist's personality. He sees things that the others in the group don't see. 6's fingers are made of ink pen nibs, which he uses to draw. He is white, covered in faded black stripes; his hair is made of ropes and is ink-stained, like much of his body. His right eye is larger than his left, and wears a key around his neck, which he protects with his life, but no one knows what it truly unlocks (although the original suggestion is seen in the deleted scenes of the DVD). He repeatedly tells the group to go back to the source but the others don't understand him. 6 speaks in a confusing manner, so he is often ignored. He also acts somewhat like a child. 9 is the only one of the creations that believes in 6 and listens to what he says. 6 has prophetic visions of the past and future, channeling his visions through drawings to interpret them, which are accurate in predicting events and help solve mysteries that puzzle 9. The Scientist described him as being peculiar and unable to naturally fit in to his surroundings, judging from his expressive artwork that he sees the world differently from the other creations. He is the fourth to die.

• 5 (John C. Reilly) is the Healer part of the Scientist's personality. He takes the parts that he has and makes them work together. Most often this means that he fixes the injuries that the other creations have gotten while fighting the Machine and its minions. 5 is also caring, nurturing, and the loyal, big-hearted "common man" who always tries to play the peacemaker. He is a diligent worker, a meek spirit, and a devoted friend to his people. He becomes 9’s best friend and they share a strong bond with one another. He is missing his left eye, which he lost during the War of the Machines, instead wearing a leather plate, but says having only one eye is actually useful to him because it allows him to focus on one thing at a time. The Scientist remarked that 5 was the first of his creations not to run off or explore the workshop; 5 was very trusting of the Scientist. He has two buttons on his front to fasten his skin. 5 is the third to die. He is one of the characters from the original short.

• 3 and 4 are twins, and the Historians of the group. They are unable to speak, instead using flickering lights in their eyes to communicate with each other and 4 can project images from his/her (whatever the crap they are?!) eyes for the other members of the group. They instinctively run and hide at the sight of danger. Both wear hoods because they are made of garden gloves and have a cape-like empty thumb hanging from their backs. They are both very scholarly, voraciously cataloging everything they can see and find, recording and building a massive database of the world that surrounds them and the history that led up to their creation. They are very playful and intelligent. After the Scientist created them, they playfully romped around his workshop and read all of his books. They treat 7 as an elder sister and a protector. They are both somewhat smaller than the others, with the exception of 6, and can only be told apart by their numbers. They, along with 9 and 7, are the survivors of the film.

• 2 (Martin Landau) is the creative portion of the Scientist's personality. He is the oldest of the creations in terms of physicality. He is a kind, delicate old inventor. He is fascinated by garbage, and loves to explore the wastelands and look for parts for his inventions. He is not in very good shape, always walking with a cane, and can only see with a lorgnette attached to his stovepipe top hat. The Scientist wrote that after 2's creation, 2 began tinkering with the loose parts of the Scientist's workshop. He is an explorer who embodies the Scientist's strong creative spirit. He is virtually fearless, and possesses an inquisitive personality. He is a teacher to 5, whom with he shares a special bond. He is also the very first one to befriend 9. 2's leather skin is fastened with many knotted strings. Shane Acker affectionately describes him as a “salty old dog.” He is the first to die.

• 1 (Christopher Plummer) is the cowardly portion of the Scientist's personality. He is extremely clever and sly, but also domineering, irritable, quick-tempered, and slow, if not reluctant, to trust 9 and his own ideas. The Scientist described 1 as struggling out of his hands after his creation, and being stubborn and defiant. 1 wants to protect the group, but he can understand the world only through strict rules that end up causing harm. He ostensibly sent 2 out to scout but he really sent him out to die. 1 wears a cylinder-shaped hat that has a one pence coin attached to it with rubber bands, as well as a red cape fastened with a red-purple gemstone. He carries a broken pen topped with a cog that has a small bell attached to it which he uses as a scepter. 1's strong belief that fighting is futile leads him to avoid taking risks, which hurts the group at multiple times throughout the film. 1 is the most tragic of the characters in the film because he is a veteran of many wars and wants the best for the group, but his fearful nature prevents him from effectively helping the others until he sacrifices himself. Number 1's skin is fastened by many metal snaps. The old soldier shows much more courage when he preempts 9’s self-sacrifice, giving his soul instead – he is the last one to die.

• The Scientist (Alan Oppenheimer), who invented the nine creations in an attempt to thwart for the corrupt and warlike B.R.A.I.N., hoping that they would continue the spark of life. Each of his creations contains a portion of the Scientist's soul, embodying his qualities and his flaws. He used the talisman to transfer his soul and supply each with life. At the beginning of the film, one of the first things 9 comes across is the Scientist's lifeless body sprawled on the floor, frightening him.

• The Chancellor (Tom Kane), is a cruel and evil man. He was responsible for causing the Fabrication Machine to turn against humanity, and as a result, lead to his downfall

• Radio announcer (Fred Tatasciore) is the typical announcer who gives the daily news.

• Newscaster (Helen Wilson) is a newscaster who releases news pertaining to the world and its nations.

• The Cat Beast, part cat and part monkey, is the first machine that 9 encounters. It has a cat skull and a red mechanical eye in its left socket and a light bulb in its right, which it uses to see in the dark. In the short film upon which the movie is based, the Cat Beast was the main antagonist. It kidnapped 2 but was destroyed by 7.

• The Fabrication Machine/B.R.A.I.N. (Binary Reactive Artificially Intelligent Neurocircuit) is the machine that built all the machines in the film and the main antagonist of the movie. It killed 2, 8, 5, 6, and 1 but was destroyed by 9.

• The Winged Beast is pterodactyl-like machine that has knives and scissors for a mouth and a harpoon on the end of its tail. It's the only machine destroyed by 5 and 6.

• The Seamstress is a snake-spider-like robot that has 2's corpse on its tail. It flashes light through 2's eyes to hypnotize its victims, then wraps them in red thread to bind them. It kidnaps 7 and 8, but is destroyed by 9.

• Seekers: large aerial hot-air balloon like machines with searchlights and alarms to scout around the factory.

• Spiderbots: small tarantula like robots that are made by the machine to repopulate the humanless world. They chase 9 and 7 as they escape the factory.

• Steel Bethomoths: large two legged machines similar to the tripods from "War of the Worlds". They are fast, and use machine guns. They also launch capsules that excrete toxic gas. As said by 1, the gas kills all life, including bacteria.

Production

9 was directed by Shane Acker, who also wrote the story based on his previous short film by the same title. Pamela Pettler and Ben Gluck wrote the script. It was produced in part by Tim Burton, Timur Bekmambetov and Jim Lemley, and released on September 9, 2009. Animation began in Luxembourg at Attitude Studio, but subsequently moved to Starz Animation in Toronto, Canada. The film was released by Focus Features. Originally, TriStar Pictures was going to release the film with Focus Features but dropped out to distribute Planet 51.

Director Shane Acker at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con International

Music

While the surviving creations are celebrating, "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland plays on a vinyl record.

"Welcome Home" by Coheed and Cambria plays in the trailer for the film, with minor censoring. The trailer also features an excerpt from "The Captain" by The Knife.

It released the soundtrack CD which was only available on iTunes before the movie was released. It includes the themes created by Danny Elfman, Deborah Lurie's score and "Welcome Home".

Track listing

All music is composed by Danny Elfman and Deborah Lurie with soundtrack, except "Welcome Home" (lyrics by Claudio Sanchez, music by Coheed and Cambria)

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Introduction"	1:42
2.	"Finding Answers"	1:48
3.	"Sanctuary"	2:12
4.	"Winged Beast"	4:28
5.	"Reunion/Searching For Two"	2:12
6.	"The Machines"	0:58
7.	"Out There"	2:42
8.	"Twins"	1:36
9.	"Slaying the Beast"	1:21
10.	"Return of the Machines"	2:47
11.	"Burial"	1:24
12.	"Reawakening"	3:10
13.	"The Aftermath"	1:41
14.	"Confrontation"	1:53
15.	"The Seamstress"	2:05
16.	"Return to the Workshop"	1:54
17.	"The Purpose"	5:20
18.	"Release"	4:00
19.	"Welcome Home" (performed by Coheed and Cambria)	6:15

Marketing

On December 25, 2008, a trailer was released on Apple.com, featuring The Knife's "The Captain" and Coheed and Cambria's "Welcome Home".

The trailer featured several machines up against the protagonists: the Cat Beast, a cat-like ambush predator that appeared in the original short film; The Winged Beast, a pterodactyl-like machine with movable blades in its mouth; the Seamstress, a hypnotic serpent; Walkers, large two-legged machines armed with a machine gun and poison gas missiles which can kill in a matter of seconds; the Fabrication Machine, a cyclopic, spider-like machine with many multi-jointed arms; and Seekers, aerial machines with searchlights. Later trailers also reveal the existence of several small spider-like machines.

Part of the film's marketing strategy was its release date of September 9, 2009 ("9/9/09").

9 is the second animated feature film to be released by Focus Features, the first being Coraline, written & directed by Henry Selick and based on the book by Neil Gaiman. The trailer for 9 preceded Coraline when it was shown in theaters and released on DVD.

A second trailer for 9 first appeared on G4's Attack of the Show. It is an extensive trailer which includes a bit of the background story behind the existence of the creations.

In April 2009, the film's "Scientist" began making journal entries on a Facebook page called "9 Scientist", including essays about each of his nine creations. The "9 Scientist" Facebook page seemingly references events leading up to the release of the film.

A viral campaign promotional website for 9 was launched. It shed some light upon the background of the 9 world.

Since the work of The Scientist is ultimately responsible for the destruction of mankind, it is of some note that the actor who plays this role, Alan Oppenheimer is the cousin of scientist Robert Oppenheimer, the "Father of the Atomic Bomb".

The film was rated PG-13 for "violence and scary images".

NECA Toys released collectible action figures of 9 and 1.

Video game

Shortly before the film's release, SkyZone released a mobile game adaptation entitled 9: The Mobile Game for the iPhone and iPod Touch. The plot is similar to the movie's plot, with minor differences. It received mixed reviews.

Reception

Critical reaction

9 has received mixed reviews, with critics highly praising its visuals, but criticizing its average voice acting, character development and pacing. Based on 174 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an overall "Rotten" approval rating of 57% from critics, with the Top Critics ranking it slightly lower, giving it a "Rotten" rating of 50% and the film having an average score of 5/10. On Metacritic, it currently holds a score of 60 out of 100 indicating mixed or average reviews. The general sentiment by critics is that the film is "long on imaginative design but less substantial in narrative." Variety's Todd McCarthy says "In the end, the picture's impact derives mostly from its design and assured execution."

Box office

Its opening weekend landed it at #2 behind I Can Do Bad All By Myself with approximately $10,740,446 and $15,160,926 for its 5-day opening. As of November 29, 2009, the film has grossed US$48,428,063 worldwide.

Awards and nominations

• Honored with the Winsor McCay Award [for career achievement] (producer Tim Burton)

Awards

Award	Category	Recipient(s)	Outcome
Annie Awards
	Best Animated Effects in a Feature Production	Alexander Feigin	Nominated
	Best Production Design in a Feature Production	Christophe Vacher	Nominated
Producers Guild of America Awards	Producer of the Year in Animated Motion Picture		Nominated
Visual Effects Society Awards	Outstanding Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture	Ken Duncan, Jinko Gotoh, Daryl Graham, Joe Ksander	Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association	Best Animated Film		Nominated

Home release

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 29, 2009, just three-and-a-half months after the film's theatrical release. The DVD and Blu-ray contained special features such as the director Shane Acker's original 2005 short film of the same name, cast interviews, and commentary by the filmmakers. Currently no plans for a sequel have been made, but possibilities have been mentioned via the film's DVD commentary. Also, Shane Acker has mentioned the possibility in several interviews.

See also

• List of American films of 2009
• 9 (2005 film) - The original short film on which 9 is based.
• Homunculus
• Rag doll
• Little Big Planet

External links

• Official website
• 9 at IMDb
• 9 at Box Office Mojo
• 9 at Rotten Tomatoes
• The Scientist's Laboratory
• 9 picture gallery
• Shane Acker's official website
• 9 wiki