Comparing 9, the Short, and 9, the Full-Length Movie

 Hey Blog!

    Today I will be taking a deep dive into 9, both the short and full length, to do research before my project. I hope you all enjoy!

    Shane Acker’s 9 was originally a short film in 2005 that later became a full-length movie in 2009. Both versions take place in a post-apocalyptic world where small ragdoll creatures, each named after numbers, try to survive. Although both films have the same plot, the differences between the short and full-length films are evident. So, throughout the rest of this blog I will compare the two! 

    The short film 9 is about ten minutes, with a minimal narrative. Although it is short, the film still possesses an urgent tone. It revolves around a living doll, 9, and his quests to find other survivors. Due to the dystopian genre, the film is visually dark and has decayed machinery props. The film is almost silent, with minimal dialogue and sound, so that way the audience may use their imagination.         

    Due to it being a short film, there is not much room for character development. 9, the main character is a determined soul whose main goal is to protect others. With little dialogue, the viewer must use visual cues to understand the relationships and goals of the characters, however this is a pro of the short film, allowing the audience to infer the message. The interactions are typically conveyed through body language and facial expressions.     

    The film uses special effects effectively, leaving a lasting impact after the mere ten minutes. These effects help set the dystopian theme with memorable character designs such as... 

    The short is rather slow paced with moments of reflection during all the action. By focusing on the current moment, the setting establishes the world and emotional stakes, instead of taking time to make the plot do so. They short also does not delve into characters backstories, leading to a less fleshed-out narrative. 

         

    Four y ears later, 9 was adapted into a full-length film. Acker expanded and developed the plot in a way that the short version couldn't. This film explores the backstory around the characters and how the post-apocalyptic world came to be. The plot still revolves around 9’s journey to find other survivors and fight the machine, however the expansion allows for deeper relationships among the characters. 

    There is much more character development in the expanded version. All the different characters have their own personalities. This deeper exploration allows for more emotional arcs, especially when the characters deal with betrayal. However now, other characters feel less developed like 1, 2, and 8. 

    The special effects in the full-length film are more polished compared to the short. The action sequences are more elaborate with massive battles. The world as a whole is also more detailed with massive machines and bare landscapes. 

    Overall the full-length film is a more typical animated film with a beginning, middle, and end structure. The films' themes are also more developed and the battle between the creations and creators is explored in more detail. However, this takes away some of the interpretation from the audience. 

 

    The short film does a better job at possesing mystery. The atmosphere is more haunting, with less dialogue the audience has more chance to interpret the film. All of the uncertainty leads to a more compelling film. 

    However, the full-length film has a more satisfying narrative. The charecter development and exploration of themes allows for a more engaging story for a wider audience. 

    So, the short film does a better job in creating a haunting mood while the full-length adaptation is more developed. The short films “less is more” attitude is a major strength while the full length allows for a more conventional, satisfying experience. 

    

I have decided that the short film is better. It is more compelling because of the little storytelling visuals that leave a longer impact on me. The overall mystery is very engaging and enjoyable to me, compared to the full-length version. I just like the whole vibe! 

Thank you all for reading... talk to you soon!