The mystery lives. As long as earth exists and imaginations soar, the fabled "lost continent" of Atlantis will remain in hearts, minds, books, movie screens and videos.
The latest effort to delve into the fantasy is Disney’s version called "Atlantis—The Lost Empire." The animation is typically Disney and excellent as usual. The voices truly make it fly, with the likes of James Garner, Michael J. Fox, Leonard Nimoy, Jim Varney and Don Novello ( aka "Father Guido Sarducci").
Funny thing is that in this version, Atlantis is really not lost or under water and it is perfectly clear that its inhabitants, yes, live inhabitants, do not want to be found.
The movie opens with a look at the disaster that displaced the continent. To describe it would be unfair, so we’ll just let it be a surprise for you and for all you are willing to take to a PG flick. Be forewarned that some of the moments are intense, e.g., explosions, eruptions, gunfire, references to those killed during the expedition to find Atlantis, dirty dealing, etc.—things seen everyday in the news.
Michael J. Fox is superb as the voice of Milo Thatch, whose grandfather was the first to discover the "Shepherd’s Journal", the key to the mystery of Atlantis. Milo is an over-educated bookworm, a charming fellow and boiler tender at a museum. He has tried for years to get the museum to provide funds so he can follow the dream of his grandfather, Thaddeus Thatch—to find the lost continent and uncover its secrets. He is rewarded by being laughed at and avoided. To the museum directors, he is but an expert in gibberish.
Enter Preston Whitmore, a rich, eccentric Howard Hughes type who knew and admired Milo’s grandfather, to the extent that he will fund the expedition. He already has assembled an assorted team of questionable "experts" to help Milo, such as "Sweet" the medical man, "Commander Roark", who is made real through James Garner’s voice and antics, "Audrey" the mechanic and "Cookie" the chuck wagon (yes, there is a chuck wagon) master who thinks that the four major food groups are beans, bacon, whiskey and lard.
The setting is 1914. The plot and the story line are well stretched and unbelievable. After all, this is Disney and we still don’t know that much more about Atlantis than was known when Plato first mentioned it in 360 B.C.
"Atlantis" is a charming little "rescue the princess" tale, complete with villains, a hero and guess what kind of ending.
Frankly, there is more fun in this one for adults than for the kids because of the voices and the things they say. Don’t worry, the "hard stuff" will go over their little heads and you’ll get to snicker without embarrassment. Besides, the kids will be wondering how those 1914 airplanes can fly like space ships and why doesn’t anyone get hurt when vehicles fall hundreds of feet? Remember, it’s Disney and it’s only animation.
As usual with Disney, there are some nice lines to take home with you and remember, such as "…our lives are remembered by the gifts we leave our children," and "…when you hit bottom, the only way to go is up."
Yes, there is a love story and a taste of the invented Atlantian language which you cannot read or understand. Finally, there is a character named Mrs. Packard who is unforgettable. She is the perennial switchboard operator and communications center for the expedition. It is her task in the movie to utter, several times, the greatest truth of all.
"We’re all gonna die."
ATLANTIS – The Lost Empire – BY RAY SMITH
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