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TITAN A.E. (AFTER EARTH)
Sci-Fi Animated Adventure
Can One Teenager Save What Remains Of Mankind

The first surprising thing about TITAN A.E. is that this feature was directed by Don Bluth as his animated films have always been about down to earth family films such as ANASTASIA, THE PEBBLE AND THE PENGUIN, THE SECRET OF NIMH, THE LAND BEFORE TIME and AN AMERICAN TAIL. This film is not geared to children as much as it is to the teenage audience. It is suitable for families but it does have more violence in it than is usual for family fare. After all, the destruction of the entire human race, is the basic element of this feature. The story is basically an adventure in space as a ragtag group of humans and aliens try to save mankind from total extinction.

Before getting into the story itself, let me tell you about the graphics. They are incredible. The art is a combination of traditional cell animation and computer graphics. The blending of the two is excellent. It is easily comparable to the art in Walt Disney's TARZAN. Bluth did not scrimp on the animated effects, they are worth the price of admission alone. Of course without a good story all this artwork would be wasted. The story itself is a modernized version of a pulp sci-fi story. It is hard to tell the good guys from the bad which makes it interesting. I was well entertained and quite satisfied when the movie was over. More than I can say for STAR WARS EPISODE ONE.

"I am humanities last great hope!"
"I weep for the species."

The year is 3028 and man has gone to the stars and travelled the galaxies but they knew that they could always return home. Unfortunately somewhere along the way they really irked a race of powerful beings who saw man as a future threat to their security. The Drej want to destroy man for what reason I do not know. I never heard their reason in the film but I may have missed it. The Drej attack earth after many battles and in a matter of minutes mankind is doomed and spread to the stars. The Earth is totalled destroyed in a massive explosion. Many ships with their crews escape but along with them is a special ship, The Titan.

The Titan is mankinds only possibilty of redemption and survival.

The creator of the Titan places a symbol on his son's hand, a special symbol, then leaves his son in the care of a soldier to get him off world. Fifteen years later we meet up with the young 19 year old Kale (voice of Matt Damon) in space at Salvage Station Tau 14. He is despondent and cares very little except for day to day survival. He is still in the care of his old bodyguard. When his protector is killed and Kale is in trouble, he is rescued by Captain Joseph Korso (voice of Bill Pullman). They make a harrowing escape to Korso's ship, the Valkyrie. There Kale meets Preed (voice by Nathan Lane) a snide nasty alien who is Korso's main sidekick. He also meets Tek (Tone Loc), Gune (John Leguizamo), Stith (voiced by Janeane Garofalo) and most importantly he meets Akima (Drew Barrymore). He has an instant attraction to her but she finds Kale annoying.

They plan on using Kale to find The Titan and hopefully use it to save mankind. They just don't know how that will be accomplished. Help is not something easily come by as no one wants to take on the Drej. The Drej are energy being that look a bit like mechanical Predators. The Drej look very good on screen and they are somewhat intimidating. Why energy beings would need ships with all sorts of mechanical devices is a bit of a mystery but hey it is science fiction, so sit back and enjoy it.

They go to the planet Sessechanm where they receive help from a race of flying harpy type pteradactyls. The Drej show up and a cool battle takes place which involve some beautifully done exploding hydrogen tree globe plants. Kale and Akima are captured. THey work on getting the map off Kale's hand and plan on killing Akima. Here is where the two form a closer relationship. They escape and eventually come into contact with some interesting life forms called Wake Angels. They stop off at a human space colony called New Bangkok. Here they obtain fuel packets they desperately need to return to their quest. Where is Korso and his crew at this point. Well we won't spoil that part so we'll say little about the Valkyrie team. Eventually the Titan is found and it is in the midst of the incredible ice rings in the Andli Nebula. I am going to leave it here because the action gets fast and furious here. Sacrificesa are made and good old human heroism shines through. The ending is nothing less than spectacular.

Just to tease a bit here, for those who are unclear about what Titan is actually capable of, then think of the Star Trek Genesis project and you will know of what the Titan is capable of accomplishing. Kale's father left a legacy for the survival of mankind for The Titan carries genetic samples of every known earth organism, ready for development on a new planet. That is why the ending is so spectacular.

3044 AD AFTER EARTH a new beginning????

It will be a big shame that this film will not do as well as it should. Animated films have a hard time in North America unless they are Disney films. Too many adults and teenagers seem to feel that animation is for children only. That is too bad because this film deserves better. I am sure that it will do much better in Japan where animation is treated with a greater respect among all age groups.

If you are not prejudice towards this type film go to see it as soon as you can; sit back with a popcorn and drink in hand and enjoy. Oh yeah if people insist on yakking through the movie remember to only set your phaser to stun.