DTW Movie Review – Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Director: Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise

Starring: voices of Michael J. Fox, James Garner,
Claudia Christian, Corey Burton, Leonard Nimoy

Running Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Theatrical Release: June 15, 2001

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Plot Summary

The dreams of a wanna-be scientist named Milo Thatch (voiced by Michael J Fox) come true when a lost book pertaining to the culture of the ancient city of Atlantis surfaces. A friend of Milo’s grandfather sends Milo with a large team of explorers to find the city and unlock the mysteries of the legendary myth.

Film Review

Disney’s been testing the audience as of late with last year’s super off-the-wall (but delightful) The Emperor’s New Groove and now with the action/adventure Atlantis: The Lost Empire. This fantasy adventure film isn’t much more than your basic action film simply illustrated as opposed to acted out in live action. Its audience is geared more towards the younger crowd, but has enough to please the older crowd as well. Any problems? Oh, yeah…

The fantasy of the Atlantis story tends to get more outrageous, in a spiritual sense, as the story progresses. As a unique story with an interesting plot and fun characters, the movie excels. On a more spiritual, true-to-life account, there are many dangerous elements here.

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We find out that a “deity” is what keeps the Atlantis population alive (who have incidentally lived for thousands of years– they also make reference to “the gods”). Crystals have special healing powers and also are the people’s source of power, life, and energy. The story places much emphasis on these crystals.

God is made reference to a couple times in a positive light. Milo also quotes the book of Job, at one point, in a positive manor. However, that is about the extent of the references to Christian beliefs. The rest is fantasy and pretty much New Age. Personally, it didn’t ruin my experience of the film because I know the truth and that this fantasy/adventure film is meant to be taken as such and is just an entertaining piece of fiction. However, if this material would be offensive to you or something you wouldn’t want to confuse your child with, I suggest not seeing. If necessary, you could always pull your child aside before you go into the theater and make it clear to them that the film they’re about to see is completely false and none of the magical elements are true.

With that said, the rest of the film’s elements are pretty good. The movie mixes just enough of a youthful focus with a serious action side and some down-right funny comic relief. However, the film is far from being the best animated Disney film. Some plot elements are indeed too contrived while the film tends to move at a pace that leaves several of the characters (if not all) too flat and underdeveloped. Although not anywhere the complete miss that Titan A.E ended up being, Atlantis does indeed fall a little short of being the super hit it boasts and makes you expect it to be. If you do see it, just remember that the absolute highlight of the film is Vinny the demolitions expert.

So all in all, I thought the movie was still pretty enjoyable. Disney might have some work to do before they perfect the animated adventure genre, but Atlantis is a decent start.