R E V I E W S

Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)

Voices: Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Claudia Christian, Jim Varney
Director: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
Rating: PG

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Review Posted: 6.16.01

Rating: 2.5/4

By Angelo.

Disney has been putting out an animation film almost every year since “Beauty and the Beast” graced into theaters back in 1991. I have enjoyed everything they have had to offer since then, with great and entertaining films such as “Aladdin”, “The Lion King” and “Toy Story”, however,
“Atlantis” will be the first Disney animation in a decade that I will not recommend for I was terribly disappointed at such a lackluster film.

Milo Thatch (voiced by Michael J. Fox) is a bright young explorer following the footsteps of his adventuring grandfather. Like his older counterpart, Milo’s dreams of discovering the fabled sunken city of Atlantis seem to be
heading nowhere when even his museum bosses laugh at his theories of its existence. However, one day, he gets a hold of a crucial journal that may lead him to the location of the underwater legend. So he sets out with a team of varying expertise and continues where his grandfather left off, but
little did Milo know that pinpointing the exact location of the city is the least of his problems.

Disney is usually associated with having the best animation movies around in terms of visuals, but “Atlantis” does not do anything for their reputation. The film looked like it was something from a Saturday morning cartoon. Images and backgrounds do not have enough details, and they just end up looking all too common. I thought “Aladdin”, which was released almost nine years ago, looked a lot better.  Although there are some astonishing underwater scenes, they come too sporadically.

The adventure sense of the movie was respectable, but that just seems to be innate when telling a tale of Atlantis.  It has all the elements a good adventure film hopes for – fabled sea monsters, high-speed chases and legendary discoveries – but “Atlantis” is just going through the motions. I just didn’t feel it was magical enough to be memorable.

A borderline annoying supporting cast heavily bogs down the spirit of adventure. They are a bunch of stereotypes that add nothing to the film, except maybe for the old phone operator who remained quite amusing all throughout the movie with her sarcastic interjections. Otherwise, they are
lame attempts to spice up a story and consequently fall flat.

If it weren’t for Milo’s charm and benevolence, the film would not work at all. He is the only character, besides the Atlantians, who I found to be remotely interesting. Most of his scenes are effective and one truly cares for his plight.  Milo carries the film and elevates it from utter banality.

“Atlantis” might be enjoyed by a younger crowd, but will prove to be dull for adults. The city of Atlantis was not the only thing that was lost, for, during the film’s duration, “Atlantis” lost my sense of wonderment and awe.

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