I do like a vast majority of Golden Films' resume. There are a small handful that I dislike, but most I really love and in regards to about or 7 of them love. The Legend of Atlantis is not one of Golden Films' finest, like Thumbelina, The Little Mermaid, Pinocchio and The Night Before Christmas, nor is it one of their worst, like Tarzan of the Apes, The Jungle King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Anatasia. There is some stiff character animation here and there especially with the winged creature right at the end, and while Beliel is not a bad villain being well voiced and decently animated his motives are ones that we have seen many times before and it's only in the climax where he really poses as a genuine threat. However, the animation on the whole is bright, colourful and clean, with Atlantis looking like a sort of Utopia. The music is very 80s in feel but its mystical feel really works wonderfully with everything else and doesn't overshadow the dialogue too much, so it didn't make me miss too much the classical music choices that delighted me in other Golden Films animations. The dialogue succeeds in making everything likable and giving the right amounts of power when needed- the climax especially- and does so without talking down and preaching too much to the audience. The story is equally fine, the romantic elements between Elan and Terra are genuinely sweet and the climax is very thrilling. Don't look for accuracy, The Legend of Atlantis doesn't have it and nor did I expect it to seeing as I have always found this particular legend very interpretative. Elan is a headstrong and likable, not to mention beautiful, heroine, qualities that I always relate to in female characters, and Terra is dashing and caring with not too generic a character design. The animal friends are a sign of political correctness, but they are amusing and don't harm the basic meaning of the story. The voice acting is not much different from previous Golden Films animations, but it does its job, and better than you'd expect as well. So overall, charming and well done, definitely worth the viewing. 8/10 Bethany Cox
