Rating: Summary: Historically Accurate, Family Fun! Review: I did not get to see this one in the theatre, but I wish I had! This is one of Disney's best in quite a while. The story is based somewhat on Leonard Nimoy's (the Atlantean King) research on Atlantis which was documented on The History Channel. My daughter(15) and I enjoyed it immensely. Michael J Fox is one of the greatest personification actors I've ever known (Chance, Homeward Bound I and II). James Garner's voice was a welcome surprise, and having Leonard Nimoy in the movie as well is fantastic. Parents should watch with their children, there is some violence toward the end. My only complaint is in the rendition of some of the characters. The fingernails are square (my daughter says that ears and fingernails are the bane of animators), and the grossly pronounced lips on the Black and Hispanic characters. All in all, it's great family fun!
Rating: Summary: Disney's modern classic Review: Much better than any direct video sequel and peter pan's return to neverland. I recommend this to the otaku. This is what animation is about. adventure,fantasy and great story telling. Japanese animation relies too heavily on sex and sex jokes, lecherous old guys. American animators better use this movie as a reference and a starting point to bring story into animation. Our only real chance to show Japan what we're made of. I know this story could use a little work in some areas. But the visuals are fantastic. Story is the bulk of this movie not drippy and pointless songs. or as any weightless disney advertisement would announce"ALL NEW SONGS!"
Rating: Summary: A nice surprise. Review: The family really liked this movie. It kind of slipped under the radar when in the theaters, leaving no preconceptions when we popped this in the dvd player. Maybe that completely blank slate is why "Atlantis" was caught us by surprise. Very nicely written, "Atlantis" cleverly tells a good story with intelligence, warmth and kindness that is all too infrequently found at the movies these days - whether targeted at kids or adults. Sure, a cynic could find a few standard character devices, but so what. Whatever forumlas followed here are done in service of a good story. If you like "Iron Giant", this is your kind of movie. "Atlantis" goes on the shelf as an above average addition to other Disney flicks. This is a smart, fun movie for all ages. While the story and writing must be given top billing, the voice work is very good as well. Remember Father Guido Sarducci from SNL? You'll hear Don Novello here as the demolition expert, Vinny. Michael J. Fox does a very nice job as Milo, the story lead. James Garner has an avuncular menace. I KNEW the voice of the Atlantean King while watching but just couldn't place him. It was an "of course!" head-slapper when Leonard Nimoy's name came along in the credits. Nice comic relief from the late Jim Varney as Cookie. It seemed only the "mole" character did not work that well for me. Pick this one up. You'll be happy to watch it with your kids and happy your kids are watching this as many other times as they wish. A solid 3 1/2 stars.
Rating: Summary: nice try for Disney Review: Thank you for getting rid of the two must-have lame cute wise-cracking sidekicks that every disney movies seems to have to have. It worked in Little Mermaid, but then got stale in a hurry. Overall I enjoyed this movie, I found the animation to be good and the storyline better than the other recent disneys. I didn't notice many incongruities, I was able to suspend my disbelief. This one only seemed faintly recycled, although the other reviewers will argue with that, I'm not up on every Japanese Anime movie or artist. I didn't go see this in the theatre, I gave that up after Pocahontas ... But I would consider owning this on DVD.
Rating: Summary: Lacked¿¿um¿ depth? Review: I've always been interested in the mystery of Atlantis. I guess my expectations for this movie were really high and were dashed by the wave of my sheer disappointment. The angular animation was interesting although it made all the characters seem even less real. Already they were severely lacking in character development and nothing they really said made them seem like great adventurers. Princess Kida is the most human and her relationship with Milo Thatch is cute and romantic. The rest of the characters were just plain boring. I lost interest quickly and then forced myself to watch this movie thinking at some point I would start to enjoy it. Ok, so near the end it was pretty spectacular. The first half was quite a trial of patience. What this movie needed was interesting facts, an intriguing plot and a script that included far more humorous moments. I think I only laughed once at something Mrs. Packard said and that was not really appropriate for children. For some reason, this lacked a soul as the story telling magic seems to have vanished. The animation is however quite amazing otherwise I would not have even written a review.
Rating: Summary: good family movie Review: The Story is well written and scripted. Michael J. Fox is excellent one of his best performances. I highly reccomend this DVD. I really liked the animation as well
Rating: Summary: Could Have Been Great Review: 'Atlantis - The Lost Empire' takes several steps in the right direction for Disney, but not enough. I'll explain why in a bit... Milo (voice of Michael J. Fox) believes he knows the location of the lost city of Atlantis, if he could only finance a voyage. His dream comes true when he (with a little help) leads an expedition to discover the ancient city. (Sort of an Indiana Jones Under the Sea, if you will.) That's basically all there is to the plot. Not complicated, but full of potential. Disney has made some really good moves with 'Atlantis.' First of all, the film contains no musical numbers. I like Disney songs as much as the next person, but was glad none were included here. Also, the film has no cute little furry creatures for comic relief or "cutesy" moments. Thank you, Disney. The animation is first-rate, especially the battle scenes and the ending of the film. Very well done, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, the plot does have several holes that other have mentioned. I don't even mind that. What I do mind are idiotic characters that are included for comic relief (The cook and the "Mole" specifically). And why, WHY does the main character have to be a bumbling hero that somehow conquers all and saves the day? When is Disney going to decide one way or another whether they are making a film for kids or for adults? Of course, Disney wants to appeal to mass audiences. Okay. If you must have it both ways, look at how "the other guys" are combining kid and adult fare with success in the form of 'Shrek' and 'Monsters, Inc.' Disney has always been on the cutting edge of animation. That distinction is being threatened by Pixar. If Disney continues to crank out animation with the same formula stories, their audiences will indeed become as hidden as Atlantis.
Rating: Summary: The Best thing about it? The cookies! Review: When Atlantis: The Lost Empire came out they issued a variety of products to commemorate its opening. The best of these, in my humble opinion, were the cookies. You know what I'm talking about: Those sandwich cookies with the soft, gooey, aquamarine insides. Absolutely delicious. The movie itself was trite and predictable. I never did understand why the Evil American Soldiers of Fortune ran around in gas masks ("Hey, guys! Do you see anyone throwing gas bombs around here? Well, Duuh...") nor how the Atlantean survivors - most of whom were adults at the time of the catastrophe - forgot how to read and write their own language yet could understand modern English w/o difficulty. But for the cookies I'll bump it up from 2 stars to 3. I really wish they'd reissue those cookies someday.
Rating: Summary: Lost Forever-Disney Tries hard to be a Japanese Anime flick Review: I cannot believe how upset I was after seeing this movie. There were references of silly spaceships flying by like they try and be Star Wars. All the characters do not match each other in the style of animation or in the "characterisation" as a group. This has to be one of the worst 2001 animations I have seen. No one here has made any reference to the Japanese Animation Nadia which was made in the 70's. We have the same characters pop up in this movie and it's hard NOT to say it is a rip off. Like The Lion King which was stolen from a 60's Japanese Animation by the same artist as Astro Boy, Disney is once again copied the far east and managed to flop twice over. BAD STORY, BaD PLOT and made no reference whatsoever to Atlantis in a indepth way. They made the Atlantians look stupid yet their technology was a million fold more advanced than humans. It was like Indiana Jones without a mission. Atlantis also attempted too much to be funny and at times punch lines were met with silence from the audience...yeepee Disney is getting worse and worse. Back to seeing Japanese Anime again.
Rating: Summary: What happened to Disney? Review: I'm not saying I dislike this style of animation, but this isn't anything like the Disney I, and all of my friends adore. The music is basically all background music and very little seems specially made for the movie. Disney movies have been going downhill for a while, but this really hit rock bottom. The last good movie was Road to Eldarado, what happened to the wonderful songs? Fabulous animation? Lion King, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan or even Road to Eldarado, those are the real Disney classics. I don't want to be too harsh, this was a good movie, just I miss the old Disney, and this isn't it. The characters are funny, though a bit stereotypical, and the plots a bit predictable and bland, and it's a decent movie, but just don't expect the usual Disney charm.
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