Disney’s first attempt at capturing a more mature and male-skewing market than they had become known for since the early ‘90s was 2001’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire. It didn’t feature any songs outside of the closing credits, had more action and violence than was typical of Disney fare, and had a substantial number of onscreen deaths. The hope was that this could be used to capture the one market segment in which Disney was lacking: boys and young men. Unfortunately, it was not a success at the box office, and Disney has continued to struggle to reach this audience to this day, most recently betting on the purchase of Marvel and Lucasfilm to finally bring males back to the Mouse.
The film’s failure to perform financially shouldn’t be read as a creative failing of the film itself. The film is well directed and the plot is engaging and unique. The voice acting is strong, particularly from Michael J Fox in the lead role. The most stunning element, however, is the art. Set in the early 1900s, it is Jules Verne by way of Mike Mignola and is absolutely gorgeous, creating a world completely different from anything else Disney had attempted.
Though it did garner a direct to video sequel, Atlantis has been all but forgotten by the public at large, which really is a shame. It’s too intense for the youngest viewers, but it can serve as an excellent introduction to the worlds of science fiction and fantasy for those slightly older. With strong male and female characters, shades of morality, and plenty of excitement, there’s a lot here for adults to enjoy as well. Though it might be a little difficult to track down, it is definitely worth seeing.
Up next: Lilo and Stitch (2002)
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