9

(2009) Director Shane Acker (whose short subject this film is based on was the recipient of an Oscar nomination in 2006, while he was attending UCLA) has crafted a visually stunning post-apocalyptic vision in 9, the story of a world where humanity has all but been wiped out, and a lone, human-like rag doll - a faded "9" painted on his back - awakens alone in a room with the corpse of an older man nearby ... unaware of who or where he is until he meets a like fellow, 2, who implies that a device 9 holds in his zippered body may contain the key to saving mankind. The world of 9 is bleak, where machines meant to serve humans took over instead and annihilated most of the population - the leader of which here is The Beast, a one-eyed Goliath with metal, spider-like arms who can build its own soldiers, and needs the essences of 9 and his small band of new friends to finish its job. But for its bleak look and not-for-kids animated story, 9 remained, for me, a fascinating film to watch; it's imagery is riveting, each of the rag doll characters with his or her own personality and garnering full sympathy from me as a viewer - but more importantly, the world these characters inhabit might be sinister and even filled with despair, but also very much alive. Sure, the film doesn't tread a whole lot of new ground. But as this rag-tag team of rag dolls fights for a humankind that might not even deserve saving, potentially giving their own lives to the battle, the fact is you truly care about them and what happens. That alone makes 9 worth seeing. (rated PG-13)  8/10 stars