Page 153

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire Director Gary Trousdale Producer Don Hahn Cast Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer

By Ad-Lib When was the last time you could actually take the whole family for a movie and not listen to a budding movie critic on the way home? Help is here and this time as Disney`s latest foray into the world of adventure features called Atlantis: The Lost Empire. And in true Disney style, it`s very good viewing for the whole family. In the early part of the century, Milo Thatch (Voice of Michael J. Fox) is a young cartographer and a nerdy linguist who is infatuated by the idea of Atlantis, which was also the fancy of his grandfather. After his request for an expedition being turned down, he takes matters into his own hands and persuades a group of mercenaries headed by Commander Rourke to join him. As they set off in search of the lost city, they encounter a sea animal that destroys their ship and are washed up in what seems to be the inside of a mountain. Milo gets to know the team better that consist of demolitions expert Vinny, Teenage mechanic Audrey, Physician Sweet, a excavation junkie called Mole and a chain smoking switchboard operator with a very grim view of "The End." They have a close call in the mountain where after a fire Milo gets to meet Princess Kida (voice of Cree Summer) who uses a mysterious blue crystal to heal him. Milo and the team reach Atlantis which is a magical land where everyone is happy and lives by the century. Milo is thrilled but this is where the Rourke now starts to show his sinister side. Kida endears herself to the nerdy Milo who has mastered the art of reading ancient Atlantean. He tries his hand at a flying crystal powered pod that looks like a fish and eventually gets to the reason that he is there in the first place, and that is to find out the powerhouse behind Atlantis. Rourke takes control of the situation in true mercenary style and tries to steal the power source thereby jeopardising the whole colony. Milo wins the loyalty of Rourke`s team though and uses them to get back Kida who was transformed into a spirit and kidnapped by the Commander. Kida is eventually brought back to her human form and she and Milo share the fruits of the Empire of Atlantis which is now back to its former glory. And Rourke`s team is now rich and famous back home. All`s well that end`s well. The animation is just fabulous. Disney has used a much more realistic approach to portraying human emotions and actions as well. In fact you forget that you are actually watching animation. Designs have been superbly done and almost seem real. There are hardly any parts of this movie that can put you to sleep unlike other Disney works. The humour is of course the real treat-in typical Disney style told at light speed and extremely funny. Atlantis: The Lost Empire is an easy 7 out of 10. Enjoyable viewing for the whole family.