The West Side of the Kingdom
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The film Atlantis is wonderful, and according to my little sisters (hey, don’t take my word for it), is "way better than Tomb Raider!" It’s a fascinating adventure filled with mystery, thrills, a somewhat surprising amount of animated violence and a cast of fantastic characters. It’s not at all a typical Disney flick, which I think is good for the company.

Most people on LaughingPlace.com are huge Disney enthusiasts, so chances are, if you’re reading this column, you’ve already seen the film; there is no need to go into it in great detail (there are some awesome reviews and thoughts all over this site about the movie for you to read). If you haven’t yet seen Atlantis, get out and see it this evening!

Tab’s screenplay (written four years ago) is a masterful blend of storytelling and artistic vision. That foundation allowed Disney animators to take the written word and transform it into a spectacle that even Tab couldn’t have imagined when he signed off on the film and turned it over to the powers that be in Burbank. I’ve congratulated him personally and publicly, both in written pieces as well as a note in Atlantean that is currently on the main page of ThemeParkAdventure.com. Transcribed, it reads, "Congratulations Tab! TPA is with you all the way! Now, take us to Atlantis!"

The big question that is on enthusiasts’ minds these days is whether or not Atlantis is a strong enough film to encourage the management of the Disneyland Resort to transform the defunct Submarine Voyage into a brand new, E-Ticket experience based on the movie; God knows, there is more than enough material there to create a really spectacular adventure.

While there is nothing concrete at this point, I have heard that some Disney executives don’t necessarily feel that Atlantis is strong enough to base a major attraction on at Disneyland. That is really unfortunate, considering that Tomorrowland is bleeding out of control at this point with the loss of the Rocket Rods. Word is that Disneyland management has also recently turned down the proposal of a new, roller coaster-based ride system that was to replace the Rods. Right now, Tomorrowland is a lose-lose situation for everyone involved, from Imagineers to Disneyland guests. Atlantis would make one heck of a great attraction; it just doesn’t look like that is going to happen at this point. I wish I had better news to report; perhaps something will change and we will get the Subs back in some form or another. At this point, I wouldn’t hold your breath, however. It seems that the executives making creative decisions about Disneyland’s future are worse than the dreaded Leviathan in Atlantis.

Atlantis is not for small children. There are no cute song and dance numbers and the action is quite intense. People tend to think that if something’s animated, it must be for kids. Here’s a hint: Don’t rent them Heavy Metal or Fritz The Cat, folks. Atlantis proves that with a great screenplay, awesome animators and a wonderful wall of talent, Disney can produce animated films that are both fun and intelligent for a larger target audience than just small kids. Going head-to-head with any other film so far this year, I feel that Atlantis truly delivers. It’s exciting for me as a Disney fan as well as a friend of Tab’s to see this film come out so well.

I look forward to Tab’s next projects, and am absolutely ready to interview him again for LaughingPlace.com! Brother Bear is well underway, and people inside Disney say it could be the best the company has produced in years. My bet is that they are right, given the success of Tarzan and now Atlantis.

As I draw this month’s column to a close, I applaud both writers - Randall Wallace and Tab Murphy - on jobs very well done. I know that some out there will not agree with me, and that’s perfectly fine; everyone has their likes and dislikes. This writer however, feels that both men did wonderful jobs and deserve full recognition. Disney’s delivered two great films within several weeks that have pleased millions of movie goers across the United States. It’s great to see the company turning out quality productions as opposed to churning out general fluff and forgettable films simply to meet a production quota.

I’d rather see Disney and other companies take their time on films, resulting in great experiences like these. The success of a film company doesn’t depend on how many movies it can make in a year; it depends on how well those films are made and if they will be watched and remembered for generations to come. Take a look at Lucasfilm, Ltd. You know when they are coming out with a film and it usually is an "event" of sorts (by the way, the Phantom Menace DVD comes out on October 16, 2001, if you haven’t heard already - it will feature a second disc packed with extras). In my opinion, each Disney film should be an event. It used to be; why shouldn’t it be now?

Pearl Harbor and Atlantis in my opinion, are movie-going events. While completely different, they represent the true magic of film making and artistry. Whether it’s a Japanese Zero or a lost kingdom brought to life on the screen, it’s the job of the movie makers to do it well. And they did.

A solemn salute to the men and women of Pearl Harbor. I am thankful that I do not know the horror of such an attack, nor do I know first-hand the sound of death hammering the not-too-distant horizon. I do know pride in my country and do know what it is like to lose friends and loved ones violently. My heart breaks each time I hear stories such as the one my grandfather relayed to me about James Whitman’s older brother, struck down in his youth while in the cockpit of his plane that Sunday morning so long ago.

Thank you for making it this far through my personal thoughts and reflections; I know that it is a weird combination this month. Hopefully, you will go away with something and will come back again in a few weeks for more.

Whatever you do, live each day with pride and adventure and teach your younger brothers, sisters and children about the past so that we can proceed safely into the future.

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Related Links

• Rick West's LaughingPlace.com interview with Atlantis screenwriter Tab Murphy
• LaughingPlace.com Toon Talk Review of Pearl Harbor
• LaughingPlace.com Toon Talk Review of Atlantis: The Lost Empire

-- Rick West

-- Posted June 20, 2001
©2001 Theme Park Adventure Magazine and LaughingPlace.com. All rights reserved.