9

*** Stars

9, based off the short film of the same name by its creator Shane Acker (a student at UCLA who received an Oscar nomination in 2006 for the short film), is one of the best visual experiences so far this year. Had the story been stronger, you would have been looking at one of the best films of the year. Still, Acker's feature film is a worthy spectacle about a group of rag-dolls (all named 1-9) trying to survive a post-apocalyptic setting from the technology and creatures humanity help create. The story focuses on the character 9 (voiced by Elijah Wood) who bands together with his own kind to understand the world's end, and what to do to ensure their safety. At many-a-times, 9's story feels like a video game's, but Acker's direction and visual wizardry demands the audience to see this film where it belongs, on the big screen. It's the only real way to experience it.