Titan
A.E. creates amazing moments in
the sophisticated animation used to relate a sci-fi story about humanity
struggling to find a home after Earth had been destroyed by an
overwhelmingly superior alien species. We were absorbed in the visual
effects with no sense that we were watching a "cartoon". Matt
Damon captures the mood well in the lead role of Cale, and witty and
engaging voice portrayals elevated many of the peripheral comic
characters.
That said, however, we were ultimately
disenchanted because the human dimension and story dynamics are
unconvincing and implausible. Science fiction tales require acceptance
of gadgets and devices that defy our understanding, as in Star Trek
and Star Wars. In many ways, Titan A.E. borrows heavily
from these two modern exemplars of the genre. However, with Star Wars
and Star Trek, we always accepted and identified with the
personality and political forces that shaped the characters.
A major flaw of the story is built into
the antagonistic Drej, who are made of energy, but sport the appearance
of metallic praying mantises. Though menacing enough in their wavering,
booming voices, the Drej have no personality and no clear motive for
such relentless pursuit of human destruction. Why the Earthlings have
become a threat is never sufficiently developed. Furthermore, the Drej
speak in a fictional foreign tongue requiring subtitles, burdensome
enough for an adult audience. We wince in imagining the adults craning
their necks to read the subtitles to the young ones.
An even greater disappointment comes in
the role of Korso and his unbelievable character twists. We need not
spoil the surprises, but with Korso, one of the most important rules of
fantasy is broken. A sci-fi story can get away with a lot of amazing,
reality defying aspects and shape-shifting characters, but once the
world is set, changing human nature and personality dynamics destroys
the power and flow of drama. Korso’s character does just that.
The movie opens with the destruction of
Earth by the Drej. Cale’s father must separate from Cale in order to
save Titan, a secret project and the apparent cause for the Drej attack.
Years later, Cale is a teenage space junk salvage operator on a station
where humans are little respected. Onto the scene comes Korso (ably
voiced by Bill Pullman), an old friend of Cale’s Dad’s. Korso
reveals the map imbedded in the ring Cale’s father gave Cale before
they left Earth. The map shows where the father hid Titan, but it can
only be read on Cale’s finger. Cale is reluctant to join Korso’s
mission, but he finds no other alternative when the angular Drej
fighters appear. Once on Korso’s ship, Cale is immediately drawn to
the beautiful Akima (Drew Barrymore), who, as a strong and super
competent young woman, serves as an important imaginary horizon for
girls.
The expected romance between Cale and
Akima is kept at the PG level, but in making it clean and lean, we are
given too little subtext and tension in their relationship. Just because
a story does not use the easy emotional pop of extended physical
intimacy and interconnection does not mean that real power shouldn’t
simmer beneath the surface. We are surprised that Joss Whedon of WB TV’s
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and one of our
favorite story creators let so much of the relationship dynamics slip
by.
Overall, Titan A.E. is a safe bet
for those looking for summer entertainment aimed at the kiddies. Comic
and visual thrills abound and there is plenty of real and pseudo science
to entice and fascinate.
