Titan AE film review

certificate_PG

TITAN AE

The year is 3028 and Earth is under attack from a vicious alien race known as the Drej, merciless beings made of pure energy who despise mankind above all else in the universe.

Thankfully, the humans are prepared for the assault and manage to escape Earth before it explodes. Among those who leave in the nick of time are five-year-old Cale and his alien guardian Tek (voiced by Tone-Loc), separated from Cale's brave scientist father Sam Tucker (Ron Perlman) who must pilot Earth's greatest treasure, a ship christened the Titan, to safety on the other side of the galaxy.

Fourteen years later, Cale (Matt Damon) has grown up to be a rebellious loner working at Salvage Station Tau 14. He's reckless and always getting himself into trouble, and can barely contain his bitter resentment towards his father for abandoning him.

But redemption is just a light year away when Captain Korso (Bill Pullman) docks at Tau 14, hoping to recruit Cale for a dangerous mission. Korso plans to find Titan before the Drej and unleash whatever magical power is contained within the craft. His only guide is a map imprinted in Cale's hand.

Joined by beautiful navigator Akima (Drew Barrymore), dour first officer Preed(Nathan Lane), weapons expert Stith (Janeane Garofalo) and eccentric scientist Gune (John Leguizamo), Cale begins his quest to find the mysterious Titan, embarking on an incredible adventure to new and exciting planets which will eventually lead him to his father.

The detailed, digitally created backgrounds and hand-drawn characters are often at odds with one another - the former always crisp and clear, the latter looking sloppy and muted in comparison. The mismatches are especially evident during the numerous action sequences, which rely heavily on speed and edge of seat thrills.

A high stake game of hide-and-seek in a minefield of giant ice crystals is particularly striking, the two ships using their reflections to confuse one another. Titan AE has plenty of eye candy for its target audience - teenage boys - to chew on.

Unfortunately, the same care hasn't been taken with the screenplay which hastily sketches characters and their motives before launching into the next slam-bang fix. Cale is a sympathetic hero but his feelings towards his father are only given scant regard, and his romance with Akima is surprisingly problem-free. Within the space of 95 minutes, neither has much room to develop as an individual let alone a couple.