9 (B)

Starring the voices of: Elijah Wood, Jennifer Connelly, Martin Landau, Christopher Plummer, John C. Reilly and Crispin Glover

Story: The time is the too-near future. Powered and enabled by the invention known as the Great Machine, the world’s machines have turned on mankind and sparked social unrest, decimating the human population before being largely shut down. But as our world fell to pieces, a mission began to salvage the legacy of civilization; a group of small creations was given the spark of life by a scientist in the final days of humanity, and they continue to exist post-apocalypse. With their group so few, these “stitchpunk” creations must summon individual strengths well beyond their own proportions in order to outwit and fight against still-functioning machines, one of which is a marauding mechanized beast. While showcasing a stunning “steampunk”-styled visual brilliance, 9 dynamically explores the will to live, the power of community and how one soul can change the world. (Focus Features)

Rated: PG-13

Bottom Line: The look, feel and animation of this dark-so-don’t-bring-your-young-kids film are all captivating – worth every penny spent on a full-priced ticket. The story, however, could have benefitted from the same amount of creativity. I’m giving 9 a 7.