22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes ... It Really Is That Good...., February 23, 2003
I saw this film in the theaters. I was a die-hard Besson fan from La Femme Nikita and The Big Blue -- two movies that got me into the film business. When I saw Atlantis in the theater I was one of five people in the audience. We were all awe-struck. Besson must've angered the head of the studio that released it because it vanished soon after. He had spent two years traveling the world (Besson's an avid diver and grew up in Greece where his parents were divers) and photographing the incredible images in this picture. I actually found a French VHS that i had for a while, then got a LaserDisc via Hong Kong, and people used to come to my house, watch it and beg me to tape it for them. Lucky divers around the world have a couple bootleg copies they were grateful to receive. So when my laserdisc player barfed, i could no longer watch it. So now its finally coming out on DVD. Well if you can't gather my opinion from what i've already written, not much more will help. If you're interested in the ocean -- or just want something to put on in the background to calm you down after a long day -- this is it. But watch Atlantis the first time very carefully. It's all about the last scene to find meaning in what Besson was getting at in this gorgeous visual underwater opera, and i think it's point is as poignant as the DVD's arrival is exciting.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding. Finally released on DVD!, February 22, 2003
I am so pleased to finally be able to watch this on DVD. I remember seeing the movie's origianl release in France in 1991 and being amazed by Luc Besson's brillant camera work and vision. Set, as usual, to Eric Serra's music, there is no comparable underwater film.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finally surfacing, February 17, 2003
At last. Long had I heard rumors of the magnificence of Luc Besson's ATLANTIS, but found nary a showing in the years since becoming enamored with the serene moments of Besson's THE BIG BLUE. [The DVD's release date] couldn't have arrived too soon.
ATLANTIS is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen with a French Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. English subtitles are optional for the opening prologue. Chapter-title cards display only in French, but a printed insert lists the chapter breaks in English. Also included are the trailers for this and one other Besson film. What's notably (and thankfully) NOT included is a voice-over narration beyond the prologue. Press Chapter Next to skip even that much, and move on to:
[1] premier jour / Start
[2] la lumière / The Light
[3] l'esprit / The Spirit
[4] le mouvement / The Movement
[5] le jeu / The Game
[6] la grāce / The Grace
[7] la nuit / The Night
[8] la foi / The Faith
[9] la tendresse / The Tenderness
[10] l'amour / The Love
[11] la haine / The Hatred
dernier jour
[12] la naissance / The Birth
ATLANTIS is a pleasure-piece of a documentary, marveling at and frolicking with the undersea creatures. No soapbox or proselytizing, Besson and company had a good time making the film and pass that right along. Eric Serra's score runs from typical, if familiar with his work, to stunning. The score gladly steps aside for the chattering of dolphins, penguins, and sealions, however. Sound editing and foley crews are allowed to shine, in fact, with some of the best humor (school's out and the manatee snicker come to mind). The little bumps against the camera are fun but don't distract from the majestic, operatic rays, rubbing shoulders with dolphin buddies, or thousands of little moments, such as the coral fans bowing in the "wind".
Of parental concern: No orcas toss any cute critters about. One reef-shark feeding frenzy, but very mild (tag, keepaway flavor). Close-ups of the great whites might be scary, and you could have a bit of fun explaining portions of L'amour (nothing graphic).
Credits roll with a pictoral cast list in French of the featured performers, beginning with les dauphins.
Highly recommended.
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