Plot: What’s it about?
Forget one by one the everyday sounds. All these noises, all these symbols of a life that has become modern, urban. Forget the memories of our numerous generations. Forget everything you know. Dive. Dive a few million years earlier, when life, this wonderful idea…was about to become a reality. Welcome to the world of Atlantis. And with that, this magical experience begins and a band of dolphins guide us into the amazing aquatic realm. This is director Luc Besson’s Atlantis, his ode to the world he loves so much, the one he explored in his film The Big Blue, but not with this kind of attention to detail. With Atlantis, he is free from the limitations of storytelling, as the images alone keep us glued to the screen throughout. We watch as ocean lifeforms go through their motions, some quiet and serene, others violent and menacing. But all have a place in the circle of underwater life, a place where beauty is endless, even in the darkest depths. The waves sometimes crash, but often just float past, as the world below goes on without a hitch. You’ll see sea snakes, dolphins, whales, manta rays, and yes, sharks as they perform the tasks they were born to do, in order to keep the ways of the ocean intact. So prepare yourself for a journey into a place of never ending beauty, a place known as Atlantis.
If you love the incredible world that lies beneath the surface, then you should run, not walk, to add Atlantis to your movie collection. No, I don’t mean the Disney movie of the same name, but the Luc Besson helmed celebration of the underwater realm. Besson (Leon: The Professional, The Big Blue) is a skilled director of course and since he has an intense love of the water, he brings real passion to this project. This is not a typical documentary either, as Besson allows the sheer beauty of the underwater visuals to drive this piece. As such, we’re treated to a parade of stunning images, with the living creatures, plants, and even the water itself all in featured roles. I have numerous books loaded with images from the world’s oceans, but in Atlantis, those images come to life and of course, that adds to the depth of the visuals. Besson’s skilled direction immerses us in this gorgeous world, right from the start when some dolphins lead us into the experience. Atlantis is like taking a journey into another world, thanks to the amazing camerawork, music by Eric Serra, and the pure magic of the world under the waves. Even if this topic doesn’t interest you, this movie is so well crafted, its sure to more than entertain. As such, I am able to highly recommend Atlantis, especially to those who love the underwater world.
Video: How does it look?
Atlantis is presented in 2.40:1 anamorphic widescreen. As this movie is all about the visuals, even a mediocre transfer would be a total disappointment. But that’s not the case, as Columbia has supplied a terrific looking effort here. I was stunned by the black levels, which look as stark and accurate as possible, to be sure. I can’t remember the last time I saw such impressive, true blacks, especially in a catalog release. The colors all reside within a blue, sometimes greenish haze, but that’s intentional because of the picture’s setting. It is underwater after all, so the blues and greens tend to dominate the hues. I was pleased with the print also, as it looked clean and showed minimal defects to lessen the experience. All in all, a downright great visual presentation, made all the more impressive given this is a catalog release.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio here isn’t as impressive as expected, as a full surround option could have been much more effective. The elements still sound good and have some life, but aren’t as immersive as a new 5.1 treatment would allow. The sounds of the ocean come across in natural fashion, so you’ll be taken inside that world, at least to an extent. The lack of true 5.1 surround is evident at times, but this track does have some solid depth in most scenes. Serra’s musical score is superb and sounds great here also, so that adds some extra kick to the experience. So not quite as immersive as I would have liked, but still a more than solid soundtrack. The original French language is preserved, with optional English subtitles also included.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
