An international submarine expedition uncovers the world's most famous lost civilization, the technologically-advanced society of Atlantis, still kicking after a millennium in isolation. Although we follow the perspective of an eager young scholar, enlisted as a lingual interpreter, the men actually in charge of this voyage don't have the most altruistic of motives. Go figure, right?

Arriving immediately after the creative pinnacle of Disney's 1990s resurgence, _Atlantis_ has something of a bad reputation. It's not _Aladdin_ or _Beauty and the Beast_, and for that it's judged rather harshly. Not that such critiques are unfair: though it's well-stocked with colorful characters and a gorgeously intricate, stylized art direction (_Hellboy_ creator Mike Mignola's influence is readily evident here), the plot is too thin and those worldly supporting characters don't distinguish themselves beyond a simple, superficial level. I found Michael J. Fox distracting in the lead role, too. Some voice actors have the ability to tailor their performance to fit a character, but in this case it seems to go the other way around. Jim Varney, he of Ernest fame, fares better in a throwaway secondary role. In his case, sadly, the film was a posthumous release.

In a strictly visual sense, _Atlantis_ is delightful. The distinct shapes and colors, fluid motion and eclectic, versatile cast are a nice treat for the eyes, even if the occasional blend of CG and hand-drawn animation doesn't always come off without a hitch. From a storytelling perspective, though, it falls short. I kept waiting to be wowed, to find reasons to care, but it never happened. Little more than a thin, inoffensive Jules Verne imitation with a sparkling coat of paint.