A few years back, rumors circulated that the next Indiana Jones flick might involve the lost city of Atlantis. After watching this latest Disney animated feature, it's easy to see how that movie might have worked. Of course, Atlantis the Lost Empire is essentially geared for families, whereas Indiana Jones might have a harder edge. Although, it should be noted that this film got a PG rating which is rare for Disney cartoons.

Atlantis tells the story of Milo (voiced by the likable Michael J. Fox), a sort of nerdy scholar who has dreams and aspirations of proving that the lost city of Atlantis exists. Convincing his colleagues and others in his life proves to be a difficult task. Milo has an opportunity to prove his theories when he is assisted by an eccentric billionaire, who also happens to be a close friend of Milo's deceased grandfather. With the aid of the enormous submarine Ulysses and a rag tag team of mercenaries, Milo sets out on the ultimate quest.

As I stated before, this film has an Indiana Jones vibe going. Even though Milo is hardly the adventurer type, the situations and subject matter do resemble the Spielberg/Lucas classics. This seems fitting being that Spielberg himself is a professed fan of Disney. But then aren't we all? In all honesty, I've been a bit disenchanted with some of the Disney cartoons of late. I didn't care for Pocahontas, Mulan or Hercules. I did like Hunchback of Norte Dame, and greatly admired it's edge. I also enjoyed The Emperor's New Groove and it's zany, loony toon style. Atlantis looked very appealing to me and while the film is a bit disappointing, I loved the animation and many of the fun sequences it offers.

Atlantis never really reaches that sense of scope it's going for. And while some of the characters are interesting we get annoying pests like Mole (a character that would even give Jar Jar Binks a run for his money.) I was also surprised at how dull moments in this picture were. And while Atlantis is edgier than some Disney predecessors, I found some of the comic relief quite stale. Still, this is more adult than many other animated features and benefits from the exclusion of intrusive musical numbers.

While I loved the look of Atlantis and marveled at many moments, I was never sucked in like I was in many Disney animated pictures of the past. Atlantis the Lost Empire is a good movie but I'd have to say that Shrek is the definitive animated film of the year.