A ragdoll named 9 wakes up in the middle of a post-apocalyptic wasteland to find a group of numerically-named ragdolls like him. They live in fear for the mechanical monsters that destroyed humanity but 9 has the key to save them all.

The animation is indeed exciting. The character designs are wicked. The environment looks beautifully bleak. It’s a dark CG movie that is more suited for a mature audience that can understand the theme.

The plot probably wanted to focus more on the “fight or flight?” conflict: Live in fear of the soul-stealing monsters or find a way to stop them. The small cast of characters had different personalities, roles and opinions that affect their sense of teamwork.

However, with all the remnants of civilization scattered around, I’d want to feel sorry for the fate of the humans. By the middle of the movie, I was wondering what was left in that world that made it worth saving. The ending didn’t leave a satisfying resolution but that’s subjective. From what I watched, the movie just prolonged the 11-minute Academy Award-nominated film (also titled “9”) the story is based upon.

“9”’s story could have been better but the character development, visuals and settings make it worth a watch.

Yet, there are deadlier things that walk the streets of this city…

… When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Trese.”

A few months ago, I urged my friend and I to go to the Manila Book Fair ‘09 the moment I heard that I can preorder the latest volume of my favorite local comic there. After patiently waiting, the parcel greets me when I got home from school – a signed copy of Trese volume 3: Mass Murders!

Plus a free sketch of the most badass local comic heroine, Alexandra Trese, with her sidekicks, the Kambal.

Mass Murders is twice thicker than the first 2 volumes. Instead of being a compilation of case files, it’s a whole book featuring an origin story: Answering questions about Trese’s past and the Kambal, introducing key characters old and new, and forming new questions in the minds of fans.

It’s an exciting read and I’m definitely looking forward to volume 4. More power to Mr. Budjette Tan and Mr. Kajo Baldisimo.