The legendary sunken city of Atlantis is vividly brought to life in Disney's newest animated film "Atlantis, The Lost Empire."
Milo Thatch (voiced by Michael J. Fox), a historian and the film's main character, is an Atlantis buff. Milo knows every possible tidbit of info about the place - he even knows how to read and speak their deader-than-Latin language. After Mr. Whitmore, an eccentric billionaire, calls on Milo to become the linguist for a crew soon setting sail for Atlantis, the fantastic journey begins.
Breathtaking action sequences contribute to the overall energy of the film. In one scene the Atlantis voyager narrowly escapes the wrath of the part-lobster, part-machine leviathan vessel, which guards the entrance to Atlantis.
This entire scene pulls you into the action and has you vigorously dodging and twisting in your theater chair in a futile effort to steer the on-screen action. The amazing detail and fluidity of such action scenes allow you to disregard the fact that the figures are mere drawings and experience the action as if it were real. Vibrant colors and texture depth as well give "Atlantis" an authentic feel, as if legend has truly come to life. Towering moss-covered monuments and waterfalls of the deepest turquoise help make the island's landscape one of the most pleasing aspects of the film.
But while in Atlantis, there are not many scenes showcasing this magnificent beauty nor is much explained about the island's civilization. There is very little exploration of the 8,800-year-old culture, something which would seemingly be near the top of any contemporary explorers' to-do list. The little that is displayed of the long-lost empire simply leaves you wanting more.
But even though the background scenery and action are sensational, the film's figure animation is reminiscent of after-school cartoons. Their choppy and blocky rendering is an unfortunate letdown that detracts from the overall quality of the film.
While the film is certainly able to entertain all age groups, "Atlantis" is targeted more toward the younger viewers. The story is very simplistic, functioning wholly to take the viewers to the submerged paradise as soon as possible with very little character development in the interim.
With spectacular scenery, a tailor-made happy ending and the ever-present Disney charm, this movie is a good excuse to take the little ones out for a night basking in the warm glow of the silver screen.
