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Atlantis - The Lost Empire

Atlantis - The Lost Empire

List Price: $19.99
Your Price: $15.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A crashing bore.
Review: So Disney is resorting to flatulence and belches for humor now? Turn down the sub-woofer or you'll end up with a booming headache. All action and no story, poor character development. HATED IT!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Movie good - extras poor
Review: I liked the movie. The extras were OK but very childlike. It is possible to have extras that are aimed at children but don't patronize adults

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A new type of Disney film
Review: This not your usual Disney film, with all the music. The best thing about this movie has to be the aniamation, it's awesome.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Flawed, but entertainig flick from Disney.
Review: It seems as though Disney always takes hits whenever it tries to do something daring and different. In 1985, they attempted their first PG-rated animated film, THE BLACK CAULDRON, a flawed but enjoyable fantasy tale, and it received mixed reviews and dismal box office receipts. Sixteen years later, they produced their second PG-rated animated film, ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE, and, even though it has its fans, also received mixed reviews and disappointing results at the box office. This is unfortunate, because, in spite of its occasional shortcomings, ATLANTIS is an enjoyable action-adventure flick from Disney.

True, there is at least one obnoxious-and useless-character in the movie (Moliere), the pace sometimes slows down, and the storyline is a little unclear at times, but look at what the film has that is good! The animation is amazing as always, with a lot of imaginatively designed backgrounds and mechanical marvels, fast-paced, hang-on-to-the-edge-of-your-seat action sequences (mainly the climax), decent vocal work, and a score by James Newton Howard which, although not as magnificent as that in DINOSAUR, is adventurous and suits the tone of the story well. In many ways, this is also another groundbreaking achievement for Disney, perhaps not artistically but genre-wise. It charts a new direction for its films, with no animal sidekicks (unless you count the cat), and no songs (except for the lame, useless pop number over the credits), and concentrates more on action and storytelling. I applaud the experiment, even if I wish the spotty parts could have been cleaned up a bit, and I hope to see Disney attempt another film like this again. (They do, in fact, with the upcoming release of TREASURE PLANET.)

The biggest controversy surrounding this film is that it is a rip-off of the Anime series, NADIA: THE SECRET OF BLUE WATER. I say, such arguments are ridiculous. Despite showing some similarities (scantily clad heroine with a pendant, underwater city, submarine battles), both NADIA and ATLANTIS are quite different altogether. ... In addition, the creators of ATLANTIS were inspired by the SOURCE MATERIAL - Jules Verne's classic novels, such as 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA - in the same way that NADIA was inspired by such literary classics. I doubt that this argument will ever subside, as we all know how anti-Disney some Anime fans as well as Disney haters can be.

Whether ATLANTIS will escape from the scathing criticisms surrounding it is a mystery, but, stripped of its flaws and ridiculous comparisons, the film is a rather underrated Disney achievement that deserved better, in my opinion.

As far as the Collector's Edition DVD is concerned, it is quite amazing. The quality of the video is presented superbly in its 2.35:1 theatrical aspect ratio, and an awesome sounding Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround soundtrack. I don't have a 5.1 system, and my DVD player hasn't the option to play the DTS 5.1 track, but I'm sure it is great nevertheless. I haven't checked out all the extras as of yet, but the case does list plenty, from deleted scenes to making-of documentaries (a high-selling point for DVDs, in my opinion), and the motion menus are spectacular. If only they would get rid of the trailers at the beginning of the first disc, it would have been perfect, but otherwise, this is yet another wonderful DVD from Disney. (Far better than its earlier "efforts", no doubt.)

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Disney Does It Again!
Review: Wow this is nothing more then a weak clone of Fushigi na Umi no Nadia (Nadia of the Myterious Sea) aka Secret of Blue Water. Much like Kimba the White Lion Disney must use another studios idea to make money. Of course Disey's never heard of Gainax or so they claim but have interest in Hayao Miyazaki so how can that be? I read that Nadia was based on an idea Miyazaki had for a project. So what anime clasic will disney use next? Evangelion (naw to deep) Escaflowne (I would like to see what Sunrise would do) no it'll be the Otaku no Video that would be so....Idon't even want to think about that one.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Different, Not Original, but Good all the same
Review: If you're looking for the standard "happy, happy" Disney feature, this is not it. The story is dark, and set in the backdrop of WWI. The only other Disney feature it can even be compared to is "The Black Cauldron". For SNL fans, there is a character who seems to be a rendition of Father Guido Sarduci that is quite humourous at times. There are no musical numbers, just beautiful instrumentals that do not take away from the flow of the film. The animation is amazing and quite vivid.

The only downfall is that the film is a blatant rip of of "Secrets of Blue Water" a little known japanime series. The film also seems to be heavily influenced by "Stargate" the movie. Although this bothered me at first, the film has grown on me and is now one of my most valued of Disney animations. I'd recommend it to an older audience, as there are many subtle things that a younger group would miss (soldiers in the background in WWI uniforms and gas masks, MANY suttle deaths, etc.).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I Really Enjoyed This Disney Video
Review: ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE is a good animated feature from Disney. It has great images and music by James Newton Howard. The film is divided into 3 parts. First the main character Milo Thatch presents the introduction of the quest for finding Atlantis. Secondly a team is gathered and the trek begins. In the third act Atlantis is found but the key to its secrets must be unveiled and this sequence is as beautiful as it is stunning. I thought there was a deliberate look and feel to each of these sequences. In the first set of sequences we get a sense of intrigue, as our appetites are wet for the unknown. This is all set against a background of warmth and complacency, which will be offset by the adventures that follow. This was a technique used in JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH with James Mason. The second set of sequences takes place in a dark cavernous underworld that really sets up the introduction into the third. In the third set of sequences we are introduced to Atlantis. Atlantis juxtaposed to the dark browns of the underworld is a contrast with its pallid yet beautiful blues and greens. The world of Atlantis is a mysterious and esoterically tranquil looking creation. James Newton Howard scores his finest pieces for these sequences. The payoff of this film is the discovery of Atlantis and the reminder that man has responsibility for preserving nature and peace from his own ego and weapons of destruction. This is one of the best Disney videos I have seen in a while. They did a great job transferring this widescreen film to full-frame for video. The images are vibrant and colorful and the surround is terrific. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend this great video.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: One of Disney's worst animated films
Review: My six year old son says this is the worst movie he has ever seen, and he HAS seen them all. His quote, "I would rather have a hundred spankings than see this movie ever again!" I thought the film really deteriorated after the expedition to Atlantis began. The plot became quite convoluted and the humor was not particularly funny.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Give it a chance
Review: When I 1st saw this film, I was a little shocked the amimation is not the flawless type used in most of Disney's movies but it uses a quirky anime style similar to that used in Hercules.
By far the best thing about this movie are its characters, my favourite has to be Mrs Packard she brought comic relief in all the right places.
Unlike the more popular of Disney's classics it doesn't have any cute animals or amazin music to bring in masses of fans but it is a funny,action packed film ,But even if you only hire it don't just watch it once,because the more you watch it ,the more you'll love it. It only get's better!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Atlantis
Review: Disney has always had trouble doing action based stories (see Black Cauldron), but I think this movie steps up to the plate nicely and it may not hit a home run but it sure was a great try. The story is solid and the animation it top notch, however the pacing is a bit off and the producers (in a effort to walk the line between a kids film and an adults film) miss out on a lot of character development, that should have been there. The visuals were stunning and on par with what the company would have done in Walt's care (see 20,000 Leagues), but again I feel they missed the boat (no pun intended) by destroying the sub so early in the movie. The sub was a key element in the story and should have been handled as such, much like the Enterprise in a Star Trek film. Outside of these few gripes I must say the film was great and I'm looking forward to Treasure Planet (Disney's next animated adventure) to see it they can not just get on base but knock the ball out of the park.
On a side note the 2-Disce Collector's set was a great surprise. If I had to say anything negative about the set it would be that there is too much great stuff to go through, I've had the disc for some time now and have yet to see all that is included:) Disney just keeps making their Discs better and better.


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