Atlantis - The Lost Empire

"Atlantis" is an entertaining animated film about the nerdy young linguist Milo Thatch, who dreams of finding the fabled Atlantis. The trouble is he is the only one who does. Then one day things brighten up when he is introduced to the wealthy Preston Whitmore, who is willing to finance an expedition. At the same time he gives Milo an ancient book that can reveal the location of the lost empire.

Under the command of Commander Rourke, the expedition team sets off on what turns out to be a perilous journey. The expedition reaches its destination, but they are not welcome. A special understanding does, however, arise between Milo and the king's daughter Kida. What Milo does not know is that he has been deceived. So the problems are far from over.

"Atlantis" appeals to children and adults alike, though hardly to the very youngest, for this Disney film is rather more action-oriented than one is used to seeing from the family-friendly enterprise. Several scenes seem as if they were directly inspired by the Star Wars films, but one is also reminded of Jules Verne's "20.000 Leagues under the Sea". Nor are there any of the song numbers that usually interrupt the action, and the revolting 'Mole' is the closest you get to cute little animals. You will thus have to look long and hard for anything cutesy, and that is entirely to the film's advantage.