Disney took a massive gamble in 2001. They ditched the Broadway-style musical numbers, threw away the talking animal sidekicks, and decided to lean hard into Mike Mignola’s comic book aesthetic. The result was Atlantis: The Lost Empire. It was a box office dud that felt like a punch to the gut for the studio at the time. But if you look at the Atlantis Disney movie characters today, you realize they were decades ahead of their time. They weren't just archetypes; they were a gritty, multinational, and surprisingly cynical group of mercenaries that looked nothing like the "standard" Disney lineup of the late nineties.
It’s honestly weird that we don't talk about them more.
Most Disney films from that era followed a very specific blueprint. You had the dreamer, the comic relief, and the villain who usually sang about their evil plans. Atlantis broke that. These characters felt like they had lives before the movie started. They had debts. They had traumatic pasts. They had actual, tangible motivations that weren't just "I want to see the world" or "I want to be king." They wanted a paycheck.
Milo Thatch: The Unlikely Hero Who Wasn't a Prince
Milo James Thatch is basically the heart of the whole operation, but he’s a weirdly specific kind of protagonist. He isn't a warrior. He’s a linguist and a cartographer. Voice actor Michael J. Fox brought this frantic, caffeinated energy to the role that made Milo feel grounded. He’s the guy who spends his days in a boiler room because the Smithsonian board members think he’s a total crackpot.
What makes Milo one of the most interesting Atlantis Disney movie characters is his lack of physical agency. He can’t fight. He’s clumsy. He’s the "key" to the expedition only because he can read a dead language. Throughout the film, his growth isn't about becoming a muscular hero; it’s about finding the moral backbone to stand up to the people he once idolized. He’s a nerd who stays a nerd, and that’s surprisingly refreshing even by 2026 standards.
The Mercenaries: A Study in Moral Grey Areas
The crew of the Ulysses wasn't a bunch of heroes. They were professionals. Commander Lyle Tiberius Rourke, voiced by the late James Garner, is the ultimate subversion of the "father figure" trope. He starts the movie as the dependable leader and ends it as a man willing to commit genocide for a big enough payday. It’s a cold transition.
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Then you have the specialists. This is where the character design really shines.
- Vinny Santorini: An Italian demolitions expert who found his calling after a flower shop explosion. He’s the king of deadpan delivery.
- Dr. Joshua Sweet: An African-American/Native American medic. This was a huge deal for representation in 2001, and his friendship with Milo is one of the few genuine bonds in the movie.
- Audrey Ramirez: The teenage mechanic who took over her father’s shop. She’s tough, cynical, and doesn't have time for Milo’s nonsense.
- Mrs. Packard: The chain-smoking communications officer who represents the "checked-out" employee in all of us.
These people are tired. They’ve seen war. They’ve seen things that would break a normal person. When they eventually decide to help Milo save Atlantis, it isn't out of some sudden burst of magical altruism. It’s because they realize that some things—like the survival of an entire culture—are more important than the money Rourke is offering. It’s a messy, human choice.
Kida and the Weight of a Dying Culture
Princess ‘Kida’ Kidagakash is often left out of the official "Disney Princess" lineup, which is a massive oversight. She’s over 8,000 years old. Think about that for a second. She has watched her civilization rot from the inside out for millennia. While Milo is fascinated by the history of Atlantis, Kida is mourning it. She’s forgotten how to read her own language. She’s desperate for a way to bring the light back to her people.
Her design was a departure too. She was athletic, fierce, and proactive. When the "Heart of Atlantis" chooses her, she doesn't just sit there; she becomes a literal vessel of ancient power. The tragedy of Kida is that she represents a culture that has lost its way, a theme that resonates deeply with audiences who feel disconnected from their own roots.
Why the Animation Style Changed Everything
You can't talk about these characters without mentioning Mike Mignola. The creator of Hellboy provided the production design, and it shows. The sharp angles, the heavy shadows, and the distinct silhouettes make every character instantly recognizable. In most Disney movies, characters have soft, rounded edges. In Atlantis, everyone looks like they could get cut on their own jawline.
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This visual style reinforces the grit. When the Ulysses is destroyed by the Leviathan in the first act, the stakes feel real because the world looks dangerous. The Atlantis Disney movie characters don't inhabit a fairy tale world; they inhabit a Jules Verne-inspired industrial nightmare that transitions into a bioluminescent tomb.
The Problem With the Villain's Motivation
If there’s one critique that sticks, it’s Rourke’s motivation. Some argue it’s too simple. He just wants money. But honestly? That’s more realistic than most Disney villains. He isn't trying to take over the world. He isn't cursed. He’s just a guy who knows that the "Heart of Atlantis" is worth a fortune on the black market. It’s corporate greed personified in a military uniform. It makes him terrifyingly grounded.
He treats the expedition like a business venture. When Milo tries to appeal to his humanity, Rourke basically laughs. He’s the dark mirror to Milo’s idealism.
The Lasting Legacy of the Crew
For a long time, Atlantis was the black sheep of the Disney family. It didn't sell toys. It didn't get a theme park ride (at least not a lasting one). But the internet changed that. Fan communities on platforms like Tumblr and Reddit kept the flame alive. They obsessed over the lore, the "Shepherd’s Journal," and the complex backstories of characters like Helga Sinclair—the ruthless second-in-command who deserved way more screen time than she got.
People relate to these characters because they feel like outcasts. Milo is the guy no one believes. Audrey is the girl in a "man’s job." Sweet is the man caught between two worlds. They are a family of choice, not of blood.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re revisiting Atlantis: The Lost Empire or looking to understand why these characters still hold weight, here is how you should engage with the material:
- Watch the "Director’s Cut" or Behind-the-Scenes: The making-of documentaries for Atlantis are legendary. They show how the team fought for the PG rating and the specific art style.
- Analyze the Dialogue: Pay attention to how the characters talk to each other. It’s snappy, fast-paced, and relies heavily on subtext—rare for an animated "kids" movie.
- Look for the Mignola Influence: Compare the character sketches to Hellboy comics. You’ll see how the use of negative space and angular anatomy defines the personalities of the cast.
- Explore the Lost Lore: There was a planned TV series (which eventually became the direct-to-video sequel Milo's Return) that would have expanded on the crew’s adventures. Investigating the "what could have been" adds a whole new layer to the experience.
The Atlantis Disney movie characters represent a moment when Disney was willing to be weird. They were willing to be dark. They were willing to tell a story about linguistics, geology, and the moral rot of colonialism. While it might not have the catchy songs of The Lion King, it has a soul that is arguably more complex and enduring.
Next time you’re scrolling through Disney+, skip the classics for a night. Head straight for the 1914 expedition. Meet Milo and his band of misfits again. You’ll probably find that they have a lot more to say than you remembered from when you were a kid.
To truly appreciate the depth of this film, your next step should be a focused re-watch where you ignore the plot and focus entirely on the background characters' reactions during key scenes. You'll notice the subtle storytelling in their body language that 2D animation rarely achieves today.