Maim That Toon!

Titan A.E., made in Phoenix, brings new blood to movie animation

Comments (0) By Luke Y. Thompson Thursday, Jun 15 2000

While plot is clearly secondary in a movie of this type, there are some story holes and stylistic choices that cannot be ignored. Given that the script was cooked up by the usually quick-witted Edlund (The Tick), Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and John August (Go), its flaws are especially surprising. Did the dialogue during the film's first half have to be quite so expository? Would a turtle-faced alien really use the oh-so-'90s taunt "Who's your daddy?"

Let's not even begin to count nit-picky inconsistencies, the way Internet geeks undoubtedly will, because there are plenty of obvious, major ones to consider. If the Titan can defeat the Drej, why didn't it when they first attacked? Why would characters engaged in a highly covert discussion leave the door open and yell at one another when there are clearly people around who aren't supposed to overhear?

A rebellious teenager named Cale embarks on an adventure through space in Titan A.E., which awkwardly blends animation styles but impresses with its battle scenes.

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Rated PG

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None of this ultimately matters, really. Folks will go to Titan A.E. looking for summer escapism, and most of them will be pleased. Is it worth the goofy characters and weak story for the effects and action sequences? Absolutely. Go, have fun. Just don't expect the American equivalent of Ghost in the Shell or Princess Mononoke. Titan A.E. is merely a baby step toward revolutionizing animation, but, hey, as the Chinese say, that's how the journey of a thousand miles begins.