The Michael J. Fox Database :: DVD Review :: Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Text on Back of Package

Set your course for the ultimate undersea adventure of discovery and amazement in this state-of-the-art 2-Disc DVD Collector's Edition. Begin your journey by exploring the action-and-effects-packed 2D/3D animated feature and awe-inspring extras on Disc One. Navigate through stunning, never-before-seen-bonus features on Disc Two using one of three exclusive viewing modes, an historic first from Disney! Loaded to capacity with technical wizardry, this special Collector's Edition of Atlantis: The Lost Empire sets a course as one of Disney's most exciting DVD creations ever. The journey awaits!

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HOME :: DVD REVIEWS :: ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE

GENERAL DISC INFORMATION

DISTRIBUTOR :: Disney/Buena Vista
CASE TYPE :: Amray (Double Size)
BOOKLET :: Three page fold-out with detailed chapter listings for both discs.
RUNNING TIME :: 1 hour 36 minutes
ASPECT RATIO :: 2:35:1 - Anamorphic Widescreen
SOUND MIX :: DTS 5.1 Surround Sound; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound; THX-Certified
SPOKEN LANGUAGES :: English and French
CAPTIONS/SUB-TITLES :: English
MENUS :: Animated with dialogue and music
NAVIGATION :: Very Good
PICTURE QUALITY :: Excellent

SPECIAL FEATURES

DISC ONE
SNEAK PEEKS
--Beauty and the Beast
--Disney DVD
--Tron
--Schoolhouse Rock
--The Hunchback of Notre Dame II
--101 Dalmatians 2
--Cinderella II: Dreams Come True
AUDIO COMMENTARY
VISUAL COMMENTARY
DISNEYPEDIA: ATLANTIS, FACT OR FICTION
DVD ROM FEATURES

DISC TWO
HISTORY
--1.The Journey Begins
--2. Creating Mythology
--3. History of the Shepherd's Journal
--4. Shepherd's Journal Designs
--5. How to Speak Atlantean
STORY AND EDITORIAL
--1. Finding the Story
--2. Deleted Scenes
----a. The Viking Prologue (animated)
----b. The Squid Bats (storyboards)
----c. The Lava Whales (storyboards)
----d. The Land Beast (storyboards)
--3.The Original Treatment
ART DIRECTION
--1. Designing Atlantis
--2. Galleries
----a. Washington D.C.
----b. The Mothership
----c. Aboard the Ulysses
----d. The Road to Atlantis
----e. The City
----f. The King's Chamber
----g. The Crystal Chamber
----h. Mike Mignola Designs
--3. Art Direction Style Guide
ANIMATION PRODUCTION
--1. The Voices of Atlantis
--2. Creating the Characters
--3. Setting the Scene
--4. Color Script Gallery
--5. Layouts and Backgrounds
--6. The Characters
--The Whitmore Expedition
----a. MILO
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
------4. Production Progression
----b. ROURKE
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
----c. DR. SWEET
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
----d. VINNY
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
----e. HELGA
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
----f. AUDREY
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
----g. PACKARD
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
----h. MOLIERRE
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
----i. COOKIE
------1. Dossier File
------2. Design
------3. Animation Tests
----j. PRESTON WHITMORE
----k. MISCELLANEOUS Characters
--THE ATLANTEANS
----a. KIDA
------1. Design
------2. Animation Tests
----b. KING NEDAKH
----c. MISCELLANEOUS Atlanteans
DIGITAL PRODUCTION
--1. Digital Production
--2. Digital Production Tests
--3. Vehicles
----a. The Ulysses
----b. Sub-pods
----c. Aqua-Evac
----d. The Digger
----e. Troop Transport
----f. Cookie's Chuck Wagon
----g. The Tinder Box
----h. The Tanker and the Gyro-Evac
----i. Whitmore's Wing
----j. Miscellaneous Vehicles
----k. The Atlantean Armada
----l. Vehicle Size Comparison
--4. Characters
----a. The Leviathan
----b. Stone Giants
----c. Digital Extras
MUSIC AND SOUNDS
PUBLICITY
--1. Trailer #1
--2. Trailer #2
--3. Trailer #3
--4. Trailer #4
--5. Print Campaign
ATLANTIS FOUND

WEBMASTER'S REVIEW :: WARNING -- POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Disney stays true to form with it's release of "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" Collector's Edition. As with all of their 2-Disc special edition DVDs, this set is filled to the gills with extra features.

This was one film that I think was unjustly ignored when released. The animation was beautiful, the production design unique yet nostaligic and the film in general was pretty exciting. It certainly had it's flaws (I'm still not convinced all that equipment would fit in that one vessel), but all in all it was good enteratainment.

Fortunately, it seems that Atlantis is getting some of the recognition it deserved now that it has been released to DVD and VHS.

The print quality of the film is flawless. In fact, it's better on DVD than it was in the theater because many theaters will use bulbs that are dimmer than they should be to save a few bucks. The Leviathan scene is much more exciting when you can actually see the thing.

One of my personal favorite features are all the concept designs for characters, vehicles and the city of Atlantis. Many of these designs were drawn by Mike Mignola, famous for his comic book character "Hellboy."

I will close, reminding those that aren't interested in all of these wonderful behind the scenes features, Disney released a 'regular' version of this film on DVD. Fortunately, it contains the widescreen version as well as the (evil) pan & scan version.