BLOG 1: Comparing 9, the short film, and the full-length movie
Hey Blogg, our group will be discussing the short version of the film "9" and the full-length version along with comparing both of them.
Short film version: None of our group members had ever seen this movie and seeing it for the first time it was different, unlike something we had ever seen before. First off, there was no dialogue throughout the whole film. This causes us to pay even more attention to what was happening throughout the film to better understand what was going on. For this specific short film, the plot was less obvious and required higher thinking skills as all that is given are the scenes. We understood the plot at the nearing the end of the movie. Our interpretation of the plot was that in a desolate setting that looked like a landfill site, the film begins with scenes of 9 crafting objects from scrap metal. As the title screen fades, 9 is found sitting around the remnants of a broken world, wiping a green glowing metal contraption. Lost in reflection, he gets a flashback revealing a time when he was accompanied by 5, another puppet-looking guy with only one eye. Together, they faced the constant threat of the Beast. In a moment of resourcefulness, 5 and 9 collaborated to obtain a lightbulb from an old lamp, which could be a key tool in their survival. The Beast soon caught up with them due to the green contraption acting as almost a tracker. Sadly it seems that 5 dies to protect 9 resulting in the loss of his soul, absorbed by the Beast. Seeing all this go down, 9 was able to escape with the green light still with him. Back in the present, 9 is alerted to the Beast's presence through the glowing light. Having his own source of light, he looks for a safe place to hide in a ruined building. The Beast, wanting to catch 9, activates a flashlight eye to see better in the darkness and goes after 9.Using a decoy 9 momentarily tricks the Beast, leading it into a trap. This leads to a cat and mouse chase between 9 and the Beast throughout the whole building. 9 continues to trap the Beast, ultimately causing the Beast to be defeated. After 9's victory, the green light the Beast had taken from 5 and the one 9 had found are joined together causing all the souls, 1 through 8, to reappear and go off into the distance. A nod of thankfulness by 5 is given to 9 which brings the film to a happy ending. In regards to the characters, 9 seems to be very clear and witty along with the hero of the film. The Beast is the typical brute villain of the plot, who when defeated restores peace within the film. Lastly, 5 seems to be an older puppet as one of his eyes is gone and his body seems to be in a bad state. Next, the directorial style seems to be very unique and different. We were very interested throughout the whole film as it keeps you on your toes which is from the style of the film. The typical conventions seen in short films were also seen in film 9. To start, there are usually few characters, and not a lot of character development due to the lack of time along with no time for deep back stories. These conventions are all followed in the short film 9. Obviously, the time frame for short films (5-30 minutes) was followed. Although this film was very well drawn out it seems like a beginner project due to its simplicity and straightforwardness. However, this is common in short films as they usually have lowered budgets so fancy things aren't in the picture.
Long film version:
"9" is a 2009 animated science-related film directed by Shane Acker, which stems from his award-winning short film called also "9". The movie is very interesting and a visually intriguing emotionally post-apocalyptic tale. The plot summary starts in a world devastated by war and a scientist creates nine ragdoll-like beings, each with a part of the scientist's soul. The story revolves around these ragdolls specifically number 9.
Comparison:
Obviously, the biggest difference is the story length. The short film is concise, focusing on a brief narrative that introduces the post-apocalyptic world and the ragdoll characters. The story is more symbolic and open to interpretation. The full-length version expands the story, providing a more detailed and complex narrative.
Next, Due to time constraints, character development in the short film is minimal. The ragdoll characters represent archetypes rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The extended version allows for a more in-depth exploration of each ragdoll's personality, history, and relationships. The characters have distinct arcs and experiences that contribute to the overall narrative.
In summary, while the short film and the feature-length version of "9" share core elements, the feature film expands on the narrative, character development, and world-building, providing a more comprehensive and detailed exploration of the post-apocalyptic universe crafted by Shane Acker. Each version offers a unique viewing experience, with the short film relying on symbolism and atmosphere, while the feature film provides a richer and more immersive storytelling experience.
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