Ever since Pixar burst into the scene with their ’Toy Story’ back in 1996 animation with the help of computers.It has reached heights never known before in the history of cinema. Animated films have created a niche for themselves in the scheme of things breaking away the stereotypes attached with the genre. Gone are the days when they were only meant as feel good ’cartoons’ meant strictly for children. They are more live action targeting a larger audience. Now we see more famous actors and actresses proudly contributing their voices to animated characters. In fact the technology has advanced such that the characters on the drawing board have the physical characteristics of the voices behind them.
Don Bluth, the director who brought us animated greats like ’The Land Before Time’, ’An American Tale’ and ’Anastasia’ is back this summer with a high powered sci-fi action spectacular ’TITAN A.E’.
I walked into the movie expecting pure entertainment, well it was worth my every penny.
The year is 3028, a time where earth has been destroyed by this evil life force called the ’Drej’. Humans are scattered on refugee camps spread out in the far reaches of the universe living under the tyranny of this alien civilization.
But the future of mankind lies in the hands of Cale, a space refugee whose father had been killed by the Drej after the obliteration of earth. He had died leaving the key to the survival of humans. Namely a long lost yet powerful spaceship called the ’Titan’. It has the power to not only destroy the Drej but also create a whole new planet where humans could live on. Cale is assisted in this mission by a beautiful, headstrong girl Akima and Korso, a friend of his late father’s who shows him that the map to where the Titan is hidden.
Well this band of rebels set out to save the world and like any other Good versus Evil triumphant saga they just do with the usual twists and turns in the tale. ’Titan A.E’ is quite the typical live action sci-fi special effects extravaganza.
But it does stand out from others in the genre in a few ways. The live characters were evidently created on a manual drawing board before being transferred to its digital counterpart. It is an obvious observation considering the precision to bodily details that the animators have lent to them. The sequences in the film have been orchestrated in a rather slick manner; an exciting juxtaposition of traditional animation and computer generated images I mean for an hour and a half you are transferred into a futuristic visual roller coaster ride. So kudos for the special effects co-ordinator David Dozoretz.
As for the script, its been devised by none other than Joss Whedon, the creative screenwriter behind the hugely successful TV show ’Buffy The Vampire Slayer’. Of course Joss isn’t alone on this project, for he is assisted by Ben Edlund and John August.
The voice talents feature Matt Damon for Cale, Drew Barrymore for Akima and Bill Pullman for Korso. The supplementary characters boast of the talents of Nathan Lane (you know that guy as Timon in The Lion King) Hank Azaria (a regular in The Simpsons) Janeane Garafolo, Tone Loc. I couldn’t help but notice that Cale was quite the spitting image of Damon himself, so listening to his clear voice coming from a animated figure was easy.
Now for the best part; the music for the film supervised by music magnate Glen Ballard. He has gathered an ensemble of top rock artistes to blend their vocal talent with the live action of ’Titan A.E’. There are sequences in the film where the music adds more punch to the action like the scene with the ice crystals, an audiovisual treat. The soundtrack features noted names like ’Lit- Over My Head’, ’Bliss- Not Quite Paradise’, ’Jamiroquai- Everybody’s Going To The Moon’, ’Fun Lovin’ Criminals- Everything Under The Sun’, ’Luscious Jackson- Down to Earth’, ’Texas- Like Lovers (Holding On)’, Electrasy- Cosmic Castaway’. Another thing the theme music for the sequences showing the Drej, whether the battle scenes or on the Drej mother ship has been provided by the Tuvan Chanters; a group of people from Outer Mongolia.
Usually in an animated flick the music plays second fiddle. But not in ’Titan A.E’, the whole process would be incomplete with out the clangor of hardcore rock.
More than anything else ’Titan A.E’ is a story of innocence left behind and the coming of age not just for Cale but for the creation of New Earth. I give it sure-fire thumbs up because it does not disappoint the viewer with its feel of good effect.