AN UNDERRATED DISNEY CLASSIC IS GREAT FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Walt Disney Studios has been responsible for producing iconic animated films since 1923. With more than 100 years of success and hundreds of popular and well-beloved characters, this industry becomes bigger and bigger each day. Not only does Disney release several blockbusters each year, but people can also access their streaming platform, Disney+, to watch most of the content created by Disney, including its more recent acquisitions: Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar.

However, many viewers -- including Disney fans -- might be tired of the prototypical Disney film, mainly targeted at children. Movies with princesses or child protagonists are great, but sometimes, audiences crave more intricate plots, interesting character development, and mature jokes -- all without sacrificing quality time with their families. There's an outstanding Disney film released in 2001 that people tend to forget because it didn't do very well at the box office: Atlantis: The Lost Empire. While this outstanding Disney movie had impossible competition, it is the perfect watch for both adults and children. It contains great character development, extensive lore, steampunk sci-fi, historical elements, and hilarious jokes aimed at adults. However, it also has a wholesome plot for children, filled with exciting adventures, epic fight scenes, and a great love story.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is an Amazing Disney Movie for the Whole Family

While Atlantis: The Lost Empire didn't become one of the most iconic Disney films, it has managed a big cult following over the years. Unfortunately, Atlantis was a flop in 2001, only making $186.1 million at the box office, barely enough to cover its $120 million budget. The reason for Atlantis' flop could be that this movie didn't manage people's expectations at the time. A 2D film showcasing Disney's classic animation, Atlantis had to compete with CGI and 3D films that were very popular in the 2000s. Both Monsters Inc. and Shrek were released in the same year, for example. On top of that, Atlantis isn't as eye-catching and lighthearted as other Disney films, generally considered more wholesome and attractive for children.

However, despite its lack of timing, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is one of the best Disney animated films. The movie includes darker themes than Disney watchers are used to, leading to a more complex and insightful work. Atlantis revolves around the eponymous city. Set in 1914, Milo Thatch, a linguist and academic, has spent his entire life trying to find the lost city when he finally finds the sponsorship to travel to its location. Milo goes to Atlantis with a specialized crew of unlikely people, including criminals, a teenage engineer, a rough medic, and a terrible cook who serves as comic relief. Milo and the crew find the city of Atlantis and are surprised that a whole community is living there, including Kida, the princess and one of the main characters. The city, despite its advanced technology, had been swallowed by a giant wave thousands of years ago, separating itself from the rest of humanity. Atlantis: The Lost Empire reflects on colonialism, capitalism, greediness, and human nature as Milo and the crew learn about the lost empire and find themselves forced to make difficult choices.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire focuses on each of its characters, giving all of them time to blossom over the course of the film. Showcasing a diverse cast, including Latine, POC, and characters from different nationalities, Atlantis is a 2001 film that has aged well. Milo goes out of his shell as an academic and becomes more bold and courageous. The crew of outsiders become their own little family, as the film reflects on their lack of privilege. Most of the characters are nuanced, making difficult choices despite their living situation. Unlike other Disney films, people won't be as likely to recognize villains from heroes in Atlantis: The Lost Empire. Everyone in the movie has their own motivation, background, and interesting arcs, and the viewers can't help but engage in their stories. In this sense, Atlantis is a narrative jewel that will surely appeal to most audiences.

Is Atlantis: The Lost Empire Okay For Kids?

• Milo bleeds lightly in a couple of scenes.
• Apocalyptic scenes.
• Several massive fire weapons.
• There is alcohol and smoking.
• Some characters die outside the scenes.

Despite its darker tone and more introspect characters, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a great movie choice for kids. The movie includes both fantasy and science fiction elements that make it exciting for children. It follows Milo in several adventures, as he travels to find the city of Atlantis and as he meets the Atlanteans. There are plenty of epic sequences, action-packed scenes, and thrilling moments. While there are several jokes that only adults will fully get, the movie also includes a lot of funny moments for the entire family. More importantly, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is, at its core, a heartwarming story with a great message.

Strictly speaking, Atlantis: The Lost Empire is rated PG for some violent sequences, so it's up to the parents to decide if their children are up to watching this movie. There are a couple of scenes with blood and there's an older character who smokes throughout the film, but nothing serious. The characters are more mature than in other Disney movies, being all adult characters -- most of them with shady career choices --, but the dialogues are funny, wholesome, and aimed at younger audiences. This is why Atlantis: The Lost Empire is one of the best animated films for the whole family to watch together.

How Many Atlantis: The Lost Empire Movies are There?

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a full movie on its own, with the story completely closing at the end of the film. That being said, before the movie's release, Disney had planned a TV series with the same characters and lore called Team Atlantis. Because Atlantis: The Lost Empire was a flop at the box office, Disney ended up canceling the show. Instead, in 2003, they released a direct-to-video movie with the material from the first three episodes under the name Atlantis: Milo's Return.

Unfortunately, Milo's Return didn't match The Lost Empire's level of quality, and it is remembered as one of Disney's most disappointing sequels. In the movie, all the main characters return for other adventures. However, because it was supposed to be the first three episodes of a TV series, the stories feel unconnected and all over the place. On top of that, the animation failed to live up to the previous' standards, and the voice actors weren't the same as the ones featured in the previous film. It's clear that Disney didn't want to invest any more time or money in a project they decided was a failure. In fact, Disney also canceled a couple of projects surrounding Atlantis in their themed park. Atlantis: The Lost Empire was a movie with a lot of potential for sequels, theme parks, and collectibles, but alas, it was not meant to be.

What is Atlantis: The Lost Empire Based on?

The legend of Atlantis originates from the Greek philosopher Plato, whom Atlantis: The Lost Empire references on several occasions. In his writings Timaeus and Critias, Plato talks of a great city that dares to challenge Ancient Athens and earns the disfavor of the gods. Because of this, the city of Atlantis ends up dying underwater. Most people consider this city to be an allegory of Plato to discuss hubris, greed, and human society, a theme that continues to appear in most stories about the Lost City. Others believe Plato might have drawn inspiration from other older texts referencing an ancient flood.

In any case, Plato's writings have inspired many works of fiction about the city of Atlantis. This trend was initiated in the nineteenth century and has continued throughout history in literature, film, TV series, and even comics (particularly Aquaman's Atlantis), becoming one of the most iconic fictional locations. In Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Milo discovers that Plato's writings were real and that there's an actual lost empire. However, the movie adds some original technological and cultural elements to recreate the city of Atlantis.

2024-04-17T07:53:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd