Atlantis: The Lost Empire

• Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
• June 3, 2001 (El Capitan Theatre) / June 15, 2001 (United States)

Voice Cast

• Milo James Thatch-Michael J. Fox
• Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke-James Garner
• Kidagakash “Kida” Nedakh-Cree Summer
• Vincenzo “Vinny” Santorini-Don Novello
• Dr. Joshua Strongbear Sweet-Phil Morris
• Lieutenant Helga Katrina Sinclair-Claudia Christian
• Audrey Rocio Ramirez-Jacqueline Obradors
• Wilhelmina Bertha Packard-Florence Stanley
• Preston B. Whitmore-John Mahoney
• Jebidiah Allardyce “Cookie” Farnsworth-Jim Varney
• Gaetan “Mole” Molière-Corey Burton
• Kashekim Nedakh-Leonard Nimoy
• Fenton Q. Harcourt-David Ogden Stiers

In 1914 a young linguist gains possession of an ancient book which is a guide to the ancient lost city of Atlantis.

Back in the day Disney demonstrated some real imagination. The Lost Empire takes elements of Jules Verne and mixes it with a distinct visual style that allows it to stand out among other Disney presentations. That may also explain that while it has a strong fanbase it is not as well embraced as the likes of Snow White or Robin Hood. Disney has a formula and feel it generally follows and this eschews that which may estrange it from those who generally praise Disney. It’s not cute animals and bouncy and fun songs. It’s a family-friendly adventure film. I think then and now Disney doesn’t know quite what to do with something like that.

The movie starts with a prologue explaining exactly how Atlantis was lost. Not surprising there but unusual for Disney is the clear implication of those allowed to die to save the many. While not uncommon for a parent/parents to die off screen, people locked outside of a shield facing certain death at a crashing wave on screen is different.

This promises and delivers something amazing and fascinating. It’s a grand adventure. It’s equal parts steampunk and alternate history and so very exciting. And the animation is beautiful. There are so many small details. Little touches that make this a much deeper and real place.

What is very noticeable on Blu-ray is that the lines are not solid rock but rather more like a pencil drawing. An artistic choice that I’m not sure is very noticeable on lower detail medium.

We have a talented cast bringing the characters to life. And you need talent to do voice work effectively. The whole actor is not there to communicate the character. You need to convey most everything with voice alone with the animators communicating the rest.

Going off on a tangent but I don’t see Disney making their characters look like the actors voicing them anymore. At one point the assorted characters were often mimicked to one extent or another the appearance of whatever human was bring them to life. At least when they had a celebrity doing it. Here if you know who the voice actors are, you can certainly see the similarities.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is equally exciting and funny. For example the character of Wilhelmina is a particular standout and feels like she is off in her own movie with little time or concern for what she finds herself in the middle of often have a borderline gossipy conversation with a never heard friend. She is a clear reference to the comedic switchboard operator which is something of a bygone era.

They enlisted Marc “Klingon Language” Okrand to craft an Atlantean language. Okrand appears to have served as the visual inspiration for Thatch. Point is they put a great deal of effort into making this very real. They gave the environment a great deal of thought.

Milo is a hopeful hero who embraces the story he finds himself experiencing. He proceeds with pure intentions and if there is a lesson in this movie it is that doing the right thing will inspire others. These are not characters with interchangeable personalities and equivalent dialogue. They’re all unique in their own way. Some are comedically quirky while others are very personable. They each bring something different to the table and contribute to the film.

They packed a great deal into The Lost Empire and that is to the film’s disservice. It rushes to solve the issues of the film. Maybe remove one of the difficulties that needed to be overcome like either the mercenary plot or the implied stagnation and slow death of the Atlantean culture. An hour and a half is not enough to do both.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a great film with action and adventure and a rich world. If you haven’t taken this Disney movie in you most certainly should.