Atlas: The Animated Movie
A Tale of Perseverance
Introduction:
Atlas is about Jill Randel and how his whole life is changed when the Greek God Atlas, who holds up the sky, chooses him to become “The Man of Might”. Giving him super powers to help show the world what true strength looks like. Despite some outdated stereotypes (Due to it being written in the mid 1900s) I thought that it was a fun story with a good and profound message about what it means to be strong.
Atlas the Animated Movie is a passion project made by the film maker and youtuber Austin McConnell. He spent four years writing, animating, and producing it on his own. The fact that it has been finished and released is a true example of perseverance and dedication.
This whole idea to make this independent movie came from Austin recognizing everyone’s obsession with superhero movies. So he decided he’d dive into superheroes whose copyrights had expired to make his bargain bin hero cinematic universe (Later it’d be called Super-Zeroes) his goal with this project was to show that with the tools available today anyone can make something they love. With the ups and downs in this project I believe that he really has shown that it is possible to pursue your creative dreams with the tools we have access to.
What’s Inspiring about ‘Atlas the Animated Movie’?:
There is so much to be impressed about this movie that was put together by a single person. From the surprisingly good visuals, to the clever plot and themes throughout the story, as well as the dedication to finding good voice actors. This movie is true testament to Austin McConnell’s skill and perseverance as a film maker.
Austin has been quoted saying that as long as it looks as good as the early 2000s barbie movies he would be satisfied. I believe that he cleared that benchmark by a mile. The animation isn’t perfect but it looks really good for an independent project. One thing that I find funny is how much the movie lingers on landscape shots. Like he was saying, “I spend forever getting this environment set up, I am going to show it off”. You know what? Yeah, show it off. They are easily some beautifully composed shots.
My favorite theme of the movie was how it kept on coming back to Atlas. Referencing how he holds up the sky (and in some later depictions of the world) on his shoulders. The movie is just so clever in how it references the weight of the world, expectations, and what it means to gain strength through discipline.
I really appreciated how the God Atlas mentions how Jim Randel’s type of strength isn’t the only type of strength there is. Atlas points out that Linda, while not having the superstrength Jim was gifted, is still strong for not letting the world break her and doing everything she can to protect those that she loves. It is one of the golden parts of the movie for me. Demonstrating how this story has built upon this story from the mid 1900s.
I also really liked how this movie had more than five speaking characters. It really added depth to the world and made it feel lived in. It makes me wish that we had more movies with Dayplayers in them.
What is most inspiring about this project is how it was completed despite all of the challenges that came up during production. It took McConnell so long to finish this film because of his health issues that he has worked so hard to recover from and is a truly inspiring story about recovering from the brink of death. Truly if anyone had a story to tell about strength and needing to gain it through perseverance it is him. There isn’t a better mouthpiece for a message than someone who had to live through it.
Final thoughts:
I love this age of the internet and how more and more people are able to make things that they love and put it out into the world. From the animated indie shows, to science communicators, to people making their dreams come true through social media. It is inspiring to see so many people use their own tools and strengths to create and share with the world. What an inspiring project and what a time to be alive!
Thank you for visiting the station! We will see you on the next train!
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A review and discussion on the productions and themes of the Indi-Movie “Atlas: The Animated Movie” By Austin McConnell. A tale of perseverance and what it really means to be strong.