Renee w., 13 and Lynn b. of our Hollywood Preview crew, went to a screening of a new animated action-adventure film.. Here's the scoop on:

ATLANTIS: THE LOST EMPIRE

This story starts out in 1914 with a desperate young man named Milo Thatch who is very bright but, since people think he's a little crazy, they don't listen to his "nutty" theories about lost civilizations. He has to tend the boiler in a huge natural history building. His real love is cartography (maps) and ancient languages. He's decoded an ancient message to find the "Shepherd's Journal". What is the Shepherd's Journal you ask? The key to finding the lost city of Atlantis.

An old friend of Milo's grandfather has found the journal. And now because Milo is the only one who can understand Atlantian, he wants Milo to help find Atlantis. Because It's been his dream for ages, Milo accepts. With high tech submarines and the whole project funded by the millionaire, Milo and a team of fun characters head off to find the lost empire of Atlantis.

After battle with a huge "leviathan" (a mechanical monster that looks a little like a giant lobster), Milo and his group of adventurers find the ruins of Atlantis deep in an underwater volcano. The people are still alive! They have a healing touch that comes from a giant crystal. This is the source of all their power. Milo meets Princess Kida and falls hard. Later, he learns that some of his fellow adventurers are not as kindly as he thought. He and Kida have several adventures as they fight an unexpected enemy to save Atlantis and its people.

This fun-filled adventure is for movie goers of all ages. You'll be laughing, cheering, and awe-inspired for the whole film. This is not a musical film like Lion King but more an adventure like the Indiana Jones films. The action sequences are fast and really exciting and the city of Atlantis is so beautiful. The characters are funny and what is really cool for girls is that all the women in the film are really strong. Princess Kida is a responsible leader who will be Queen, Helga is pretty hot but she's also in charge of giving orders on the submarine. Audrey is the Latina master mechanic who makes sure all the equipment runs smoothly. (Click here for our Ladies of Atlantis interview!)

Renee says: I thought that Atlantis: The Lost Empire was a pretty good film and a lot of fun to watch with my family. Take your friends and crush along too.

Directed by	Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
Screenplay by	Tab Murphy
Starring the voices of:	MIchael J. Fox as Milo Thatch
	Cree Summer as Princess Kida
	James Garner as Commander Rourke
	Leonard Nimoy as The King of Atlantis
	Claudia Christian as Helga
	Don Novello as Vinny Santorini
	Jacqueline Obradors as Audrey