Animation World's Biggest Injustice Is the Fact That This Gem Has 48% on RT – It Deserves All 100%

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Disney's animated movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire. If you haven't seen it since childhood or missed it entirely, now is the time to correct that mistake.

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is a project that still feels fresh, bold, and incredibly captivating.

Here's why the movie deserves much higher praise and continues to captivate us a quarter of a century later.

What Is 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' About?

Milo Thatch, a young linguist, works in the boiler room of a Washington museum while dreaming of making great discoveries. No one takes him seriously until a mysterious stranger, a colleague of his late explorer grandfather, comes to visit him one day.

Milo gets the chance to join an expedition searching for the lost continent of Atlantis. Along with a team of mercenaries and scientists, he dives into the depths of the ocean, faces dangers, and ultimately finds the mythical continent.

However, his greatest challenge lies ahead. The inhabitants of Atlantis are keeping a secret, and the expedition members' true goals turn out to be far from scientific.

'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' Has That Authentic Spirit of Adventure That You Don't See Very Often

If you loved Jules Verne and adventure movies as a child, you will love Atlantis. Milo Thatch is a much more believable hero than Indiana Jones, who somehow managed to lecture while wielding a whip.

Milo is a quiet linguist and the most outlandish member of the expedition, but his dream and obsession drive the plot.

Atlantis doesn't shy away from dark tones – a significant portion of the crew dies during the voyage. Yes, they are faceless secondary characters, but it's rare in animation to see entire groups killed off.

The atmosphere of tension and danger in Atlantis: The Lost Empire remains intense until the very end.

'Atlantis' Is Not Just a Kids' Movie – It's a Brilliantly Written Story About Moral Choices

In Atlantis, every character is ambiguous. The Atlanteans are responsible for their own misfortunes, and the visiting explorers reveal their worst sides. At the center of it all is Milo, who must make a difficult moral choice.

Visually, the film is unique as well. Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy, designed the characters. The angular, rugged characters contrast with the stunningly detailed backgrounds and natural settings.

The supporting cast is also exceptional: the cynical, chain-smoking communications specialist, Vinny, the demolition expert and former flower seller, the mad chef, the geologist nicknamed Mole, and the charming mechanic.

Rarely does an animated movie have so many memorable characters. Atlantis flopped at the box office and received low ratings, but time has put everything in its place.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire'?

• Atlantis: The Lost Empire has 48% from critics and 55% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.9/10.

• On Letterboxd, Atlantis: The Lost Empire scored 3.8/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire'?

Atlantis: The Lost Empire is available to stream on Disney+.