|
|
| ENTRY | about | bridgecenter | thoughtnami | datadock | bridgeware | forum | Toon Zone |
Titan A.E.
Genre: Sci-fi adventure
Producers: 20th Century Fox/Don Bluth/Gary Goldman/David Kirschner Directors: Don Bluth and Gary Goldman Medium: American 2D animation with 3D effects The Skinny: A reluctant young man who posesses a genetically encoded map to a spaceship that could save the human race begins a journey with a motley crew to search for the mysterious vessel. Think: Outlaw Star with a couple of drops of Star Wars Where Found: In greater video stores/retail outlets near you courtesy of 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Pros: Great film, great extras, still stands out in American animation excellence
My Take: The A.E. in the title Titan A.E. means "after Earth." In the first moments of the film, we are witnesses to the invasion that destroyed our planet in the year 3028. A vicious, alien race known as the Drej were responsible for the destruction that killed numerous of people. Those that did survive became regarded as lowly, second-rate citizens in the galaxy community. One of those that survived was a young boy by the name of Cale. Within him was the key to salvaging the human race as well as creating a new planet. Unfortunately, he didn't know it at the time. Fifteen years A.E., Cale learns that within him was a map to a legendary space vessel, the Titan. However, when the Drej gets word that the one with the secret is still alive, they create a new mission: Find the boy and the key, and destroy the Titan before he recreates the Earth. Fortunately Cale finds solace with the motley crew of the Valkyrie, a crew that includes a friend of his father and a beautiful mechanic named Akima. Little did they know that there was a traitor within their midsts determined to prevent Cale from creating a new world. When I first saw this film, I told myself, "This is a legitimate action-animation film from an American company. And it's really, really good. Too bad it's not going to do well." I was correct on all points. It's an excellently-produced American action-animation film. However, due to the fact that most Americans weren't prepared for a film of this magnitude, it didn't do well in box-offices. Despite that, Titan A.E. is an awesome ride! Not only do you have an excellent screenplay from the creators of The Tick and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Ben Edlund and Joss Whedon, respectively), but you also have great talents behind the scenes like Don Bluth, a Disney animation vet who created the unique animated games Dragon's Lair and Space Ace (both of which became animated series courtesy of Ruby-Spears), An American Tail and The Land Before Time (though not involved in the endless sequels of that franchise) as well as produced The Secret of NIMH, The Pebble and the Penguin, and Anastasia, and actors you would never consider as voice artists like Matt Damon, Bill Pullman, and Drew Barrymore. The animation of Titan A.E. is phenominal, using both state-of-the-art computer animation as well as Don Bluth's signature character designs with a slight hint of anime influences, one of the first American-made productions to embrace the feel of anime. The story and the soundtrack seems to mesh with one another creating a smooth blend. The extras on the DVD are awesome, which isn't surprising because 20th Century Fox Entertainment is one of the best producers of DVDs. Though people might have missed it in its theatrical run, you have to check out this animated masterpiece, one of the first animated film classics of this decade.
Jeff Harris |