Atlantis: The Lost Empire: My pick as best Disney animated film of the 2000's

[RegionsBeyond]

Now, mind you, this does not include Pixar films, but Disney studios produced and designed animated features.

And I expect more than a few out there will disagree: that's fine. Merely for me, Atlantis was fresh and something wholly different that Disney had never tried before: a sci-fi tale, not based on classic literature or a fairy tale, and in a more modern setting (1914 versus many 'timeless' or fairy tale type stories). I found the style, mixing kind of a film noir sensibility at points, a hearty helping of Jules Verne steampunk inventions and monster pulp, classic sci fi/hidden world style elements, a kind of Dirty Dozen style "specialists on a mission" plot and comic book style adventure (aided by designs by Mike Mignola), to be refreshing and a lot of fun. The music composed for the film was rather lovely and interesting, I found, and I always have fun rewatching this film. There are a few missteps (Corey Burton's Moliere as too broad comic relief among them) but for me, this was even better in tone and execution than Princess and The Frog (some good songs but uneven, loved Dr. Facilier) or Tangled (sweet and definitely in the classic fairy tale vein, but nothing very new) on the strength of vision and working within a genre I greatly enjoy.

Yet, I know my opinion is in the minority: the film had mixed reviews and didn't post at all blockbuster numbers or revenue for Disney, and it seems kind of off-handedly lumped into the category of 2000's "slump" Disney animated films along with Home On The Range, Treasure Planet, Chicken Little, etc. I merely think it is leaps above all those in being fun and re-watchable, and covering new territory for Disney in animated format. It is a slightly rougher film (death and explosions occur more frequently than in any other Disney animated feature and it has the 'monster parade' segment of various unlikely beasties) but I think those add to it's strength and originality. So, what is the consensus out there: am I alone in my love for this movie, or does it have other devotees?

[mickdaddy]

to be honest I have never seen it! I guess I should give it a go!

[JerrodDRagon]

well not much to say you liked this films over others....just what you think like some people like the Star Wars Prequels more than the Originals nothing you can do but with argue with them.

I'm sure the director of the movie is happy to hear he has at least one fan

[RegionsBeyond]

well not much to say you liked this films over others....just what you think like some people like the Star Wars Prequels more than the Originals nothing you can do but with argue with them.

I'm sure the director of the movie is happy to hear he has at least one fan

Ouch, heh All alone forever Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, for the record, also directed Hunchback of Notre Dame and Beauty and The Beast for Disney, so I rather think they have other fans

[theeighthpassenger]

I think they did some great design work for this film and it was a bold direction to go in. I rewatched it for the first time several months ago and unfortunately it wasnt nearly as fleshed out as I remembered but it did have some good stuff in there and I don't think its as bad as people make it out to be. Its a nice obscure film in Disney history.

[Coheteboy]

I'm a huge fan of Atlantis as well. It's not perfect but still a spectacle that only animation can deliver.

[yoyoflamingo]

Count me as a fan too. Though, I tend to favor Treasure Planet more...

[Coheteboy]

Count me as a fan too. Though, I tend to favor Treasure Planet more...

Story-wise, Treasure Planet is probably better executed. EVERYTHING ELSE... not as appealing.

[RegionsBeyond]

Good to know some other folks dig it as well, I agree it isn't perfect overall, but some stuff I really love more than anything in say, Tangled, for example. As for Treasure Planet....I don't recall walking way with any response other than "meh", but doubtless the bones of the story are strong, given Treasure Island is a classic and enduring story. What sold it short was the kind of trying too hard to be whacky characters for me, the little shapeshifting alien and Martin Short robot and trying to be "edgy" with the Hawkins character.

Oh well, all personal taste, and I just favor a solid, visually interesting and fun sci-fi picture with a few flaws over another fairy tale singing type of movie, as high quality as Disney can make them at times.

[Coheteboy]

I can't possibly compare Tangled with Atlantis. It was best described when it was released that they've been hanging out in Fantasyland too long. Atlantis was a trip into Adventureland and I really loved that about it.

Many folks critique it and say that the animation was bad. What an uninformed complaint! It's the design they didn't like.

Treasure Planet's design is something I fault heavily though. Everything was too jokey rather than "cool". The advertising tried hard to be something COOL but the movie itself was too jokey. It was a rough mix and just felt imbalanced. Character design on all the aliens too were not my taste.

[RegionsBeyond]

Many folks critique it and say that the animation was bad. What an uninformed complaint! It's the design they didn't like.

Agreed, I loved the style and animation of the various things like the Atlantean tech and the creatures and all...calling it bad animation, really don't see that. And yes, Treasure Planet was far too "jokey" as you observe: a lot more juvenile in tone, rather than serious, or taking the source material as intended. A lot of unnecessary "lightening" of the material.

[sir clinksalot]

I really enjoy Atlantis as well, but I have to go with Emperors New Groove followed by Meet The Robinson's. I haven't seen Tangled yet though.

[Coheteboy]

Haha I'm not gonna choose favorites but I love "Groove" as well.

"Meet the Robinsons" though.... was entertaining but a bit forgettable.

[yoyoflamingo]

Story-wise, Treasure Planet is probably better executed. EVERYTHING ELSE... not as appealing.

I think there is a stronger emotional connection too with Jim and Long John. However, Dr. Doppler is probably one of my least favorite Disney characters, ever.

Design wise - gotta agree with Atlantis having a much better aesthetic, and overall better characters.

And Emperors New Groove would def be up there too. And of course, the "Carnival of the Animals" segment of Fantasia 2000.

[RegionsBeyond]

I liked Meet the Robinsons ok when I saw it, the slow motion crazy Japanese movie segment is very odd, I was entertained....never felt like watching it again though. Kind of a mish mash of a bunch of things, I couldn't even tell you the plot right now. Not a fan, as it were, of Emperor...but to each their own naturally