Titan A.E.
for action violence, mild sensuality and brief language.
Reviewed by: Brandon Victorian
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | 10 to 25 |
| Genre: | Animation Sci-Fi |
| Length: | 1 hr. 35 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2000 |
| USA Release: |
| Featuring | John Leguizamo, Matt Damon, Bill Pullman, Drew Barrymore, Nathan Lane |
| Director |
Don Bluth and Gary Goldman |
| Producer | David Kirschner, Don Bluth and Gary Goldman |
| Distributor |
 20th Century Studios, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Studios, a division of The Walt Disney Company |
“Titan A.E.” (meaning “After Earth”) is a high-action sci-fi animated feature, created by the same folks who brought us “Anastasia”. But don’t let the format fool you. This is anything but a “kiddie flick.”
Set in the 29th century (the year 3028 exactly), Earth has been destroyed by an evil alien race called the Drej, leaving the human survivors as little more than refugees in the universe, on the brink of extinction. That is until new hope arises in the form of a young man named Cale, who carries literally in his hand, the hope for finding a new home world for humankind: directions to find his father’s ship, the Titan. The ensuing story revolves around a race against time in order for Cale and his comrades: Akima, a beautiful pilot, Korso, an ex-Earth soldier, and a trio of eccentric aliens to find where the ship is hidden, before the Drej find it first, or kill Cale in the process.
As for how good the movie is, the visuals are nothing short of awesome, as CGI and cel animation are beautifully blended to create the most stunning backdrops and panoramas, and the coolest-looking characters (the design for the Drej being especially remarkable) I have ever seen in a movie. However, the plot is rather simplistic (and not thin, as other critics have judged it to be), mixing in elements from a score of other sci-fi movies, more prominently “Star Wars” and “Star Trek,” just to name a couple. However, this simple plot proves to be an advantage, as not to confuse the majority crowd who will be seeing this movie: late adolescent to early and mid-teenagers.
From a Christian standpoint, I must admit that this movie, though animated, takes on a much more adult perspective than previous ones that I have seen. In short, “Titan A.E.” well earns its PG rating in content. Though not graphic in the extreme, it is admittedly fairly violent, with more blood than I’ve seen in most animated movies of recent years, mostly from laser guns (think “Star Wars”, but a touch more on the blood factor); however, it is not so gory as to be offensive to most, even Christians. Also, there is one scene on a medical table with VERY brief back nudity, and one slightly risque scene where Cale “walks in” on Akima after a shower, but without any nudity; whatever amount there would have been is quickly covered up by a towel. Aside from that, there was no foul or obscene language that I had heard, even though one of the reasons for ratings listed is mild profanity. On the whole, from a Christian standpoint, the movie wasn’t that offensive, but as stated before, was far more on the adult level than most animation created here in the U.S. usually is. There are Christians who would be offended by the content (which, except for the violence isn’t much), and if what I have listed does offend, then this movie probably isn’t for you. As a matter of fact, any children being taken to see this movie would do well to go with a parent, although admittedly, those 5 years below the age range I have recommended probably wouldn’t understand it.
Bottom line: the movie is fabulous (if just for the animation and visuals alone), but with a simplistic plot, and a rather mature theme for an animated movie. But overall, not too offensive. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but once again, if you are offended by content such as I have listed, then you would do well not to spend your money and regret it later.
[3/3½]
[3½/3]
(1) Not meant for kids, this is an adult animation.
(2) Parents need to advise their children in regards to the evolution’s “BIG BANG” theory
(3) “Titan A.E.” is NOTHING but a high-tech spoof of the Noah’s Ark + Adam and Eve, but the makers conveniently took away God’s credit
(4) Animation is good, but story is a crap. Come on Fox Entertainment, make your own story, don’t steal ideas from the Bible.
[3/3]
The worst parts, in terms of violence, are the Drej destroy human airships in the beginning, and they outright kill a cook in cold blood. My main solace with this is they make evil “play with food before eating it” violence look unattractive.
Preed’s traitorous ways ultimately lead to his end and the Drej meet a justified end. Joseph Korso repents of his selfishness and arrogance and sacrificed his life for the human race (not in a Christ-like way, just to be clear).
Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 3
The main character, Cale was VERY snobby in the beginning—which wasn’t good at all—but at the end he had a character change and was quite positive and helpful. This is a good lesson. And as for Corso, I assume that he felt sorry for what he did and thus helped them in the end. This is a very good lesson to learn. The only thing really bad about this film is that the beginning can be a bit jumpy and confusing (the middle and end are very simple to understand) AND the EVOLUTIONARY part of this film. I cheked out the Web site and they said the Drej was EVOLVED… and there is some hints to evolution in this film itself… which was NOT good of course. [4/5]
And the plot, while bold and action-packed, offers very little depth, until towards the end. Aside from the two main characters, the cast of the movie are cardboard cutouts.
Still, while the movie may not be perfect, it’s definitely worth the trip to the theater.
From a Christian perspective, the movie is pretty clean, almost could have been PG-13, because of the violence (bloody wounds and things of that sort), and mild sexual innuendos as well as occasional nudity (though it isn’t sex-related and is never actually seen). On the upside, there was absolutely no profanity in the film that I could catch, and not once is God’s name taken in vain. Teenagers will adore this film, but young children expecting a lighthearted Disney-style romp should stay far away.
[3/3½]
Violence is very heavy with plenty of explosions and laser blasting, but that’s to be expected in any sci-fi flick. While there is some blood, none of the violence is graphic… The only thing parents should be concerned about is the heavy level of violence. There are no spiritual issues ever discussed throughout the entire movie… [4/4½]
The ending had an evolutionary tone. I left feeling insulted by it, but challenged to defend my Christian belief in creation.
From a Christian perspective, beware of the movie’s subtle and odvious anti-creation tone. No sex or profanity. Action packed movie that can be used as an opener to discuss Creation and evolution with non-believers. Talk to your kids about creation and evolution after the movie. Use it as a tool to show how God’s love has saved us from a world like this. My five and ten year old nieces said they understood the movie. I asked them who created the world. The five year said, “God”. My Ratings: [1/5]