We’ve gone over the Disney live-action remakes over the years with a great deal of pessimism and complaints. Created by Daniel Dreszler, Milo: The Voyage to Atlantis pays homage to the underrated Disney classic Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and thankfully without the help of the Walt Disney Company.
Daniel Dreszler plays Milo, an explorer who found the location of the mythical kingdom of Atlantis with the help of the Shepherd’s Journal, which was discovered by his grandfather, Thaddeus Thatch. We find Milo in the early stages of his presentation to “The Board” of the Museum of World Discoveries in hopes of seeking the funding and resources needed for the trip. In the middle of his presentation, Milo is interrupted by a phone call from “The Board,” informing him that his presentation, scheduled for weeks from now, has been moved to this afternoon. He rushes to the presentation, only to be told that his journey, like his grandfather’s state of mind, defies reality and that the request has already been denied.
“…Milo, an explorer who found the location of the mythical kingdom of Atlantis with the help of the Shepherd’s Journal…”
Milo: The Voyage to Atlantis is an ambitious project, to say the least. It aims to remake the Steampunk-inspired Atlantis and match the tone and visual style of the animated film. I’m all for any filmmaker telling a story that they love and, quite frankly, doing it better than Disney ever could.
Look at the short film; you’ll see that the Dreszler team knows what they’re doing regarding look, style, and production values. As a live-action series, Dreszler is able to slow the story down a bit to develop characters better, expand on the lore, and hit the important beats of the original tale. The film’s score is also on point, hitting every emotional beat for what appears to be a thrilling Saturday matinee serial thriller.
Milo: The Voyage to Atlantis is a refreshing tribute to a Disney gem that deserved more love. Daniel Dreszler’s passionate take on the story brings a polished and visually stunning world to life, capturing the spirit of the original while building upon its rich lore in just fifteen minutes. This homage is a testament to what creators can achieve when driven by genuine admiration and creativity—Disney, take notes!
"…Disney, take notes!"