In association with

Atlantis - The Lost Empire [2001]
from Walt Disney Home Video
starring Michael J. Fox, Jim Varney, Corey Burton, Claudia Christian, James Garner
directed by Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Features:

• Animated
• PAL

Editorial Review:

The Disney Studio was built on innovation in animation, so it seems ironic that Atlantis is both a bold departure and highly derivative, borrowing heavily from anime, video games and graphic novels. Instead of songs and fuzzy little animals, the artists offer an action-adventure set in 1914: nerdy linguist Milo Thatch (Michael J Fox) believes he's found the location of the legendary Lost Continent. An eccentric zillionaire sends Milo out to test his hypothesis with an anachronistic crew that includes tough Puerto Rican mechanic Audrey (Jacqueline Obradors), demolition expert Vinnie (Don Novello), and butt-kicking blonde adventurer Helga (Claudia Christian). When they find Atlantis, its culture is dying because the people can no longer read the runes that explain their mysterious power source--but Milo can. Nasty Commander Rourke (James Garner) attempts to steal that power source, leading to the requisite all-out battle. Atlantis offers some nifty battle scenes, including an attack on a Jules Verne-esque submarine by a giant robotic trilobites and fishlike flying cars. But the film suffers from major story problems. If Princess Kida (Cree Summer) remembers her civilisation at its height, why can't she read the runes? Why doesn't Milo's crew notice that the Atlanteans live for centuries? The angular designs are based on the work of comic book artist Mike Mignola (Hellboy), and the artists struggle with the characters' stubby hands, skinny limbs and pointed jaws. The result is a film that will appeal more to 10-year-old boys than to family audiences. --Charles Solomon, Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

• the worst ever Disney animation!!!
  I wanted to give 0 stars, but it didn't work, this is why I give one!! But it doesn't deserve it!!!
  This is simply the worst I have ever seen from Disney and in general in the cartoon section!!
  The movie is set in the early 20th century, but the characters act like they would be from the 21st century!! They are also not nicely drawn and the whole story is so horrible, you better watch it yourself to understand what I talk about!!
  This is a DVD I have seen only once and happily will sell... more info

• Is this really a Disney movie?
  In recent reviews, I have questioned a great deal about the values and qualities of modern Disney movies. I am a little baffled in whether I am watching a typical Disney animation at all.
  I remember the good old disney classics that I really enjoyed watching for its endless humour and cherfulness. Unfortunately, Atlantis- The Lost Empire paints a different picture. It is sinister and darker, with the Disney magic totally abscence. The characters are gloomy and seldomly smile.
  On certain fronts it... more info

• A bit more thoughtful than your usual Disney
  I liked this. But it's not saccharine-sweet, the square-cut animation is distinctive (but I think adds to the attempt to firmly place the film historically) and it requires some leaps of faith to buy-in to the sci-fi stuff about Atlantis' crystal. I do think the makers pushed Disney's boundaries and ought to be supported for trying to do somethig a bit different with the brand. The other reviews on this page raise some intereting points, but come on guys - it's only a movie!! It would indeed have been... more info

• Interesting stuff
  It was with some trepidation I purchased "Atlantis". It is preceded by its own bad reputation, of course, and, after a recent negative experience featuring "Brother Bear" and the repeated phrase, "Why, God, why?" I wasn't sure if I wanted to subject myself to a similar disheartening Disney experience. Surprisingly, "Atlantis" is...not all that bad. Of course, the decision to set the film in 1914 is frankly bizarre (the only real explanation I can come up with is to tie it in with other adventure stories... more info

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