Titan AE (Titan After Earth) is one of those rare underrated sci-fi gems. Unfortunately, it proved to be also Don Bluth’s (previously known for Anastasia) swansong as in a world dominated by Disney, people took a long time to realize that animations needn’t be the cute and cuddly things that Disney produces.

Japanese animations showed the world a universe of truly engaging stories, combined with gritty imagery and a depth never touched before. However, this side of animation has become typecast with specific anime drawings and rarely transpired outward.

In Titan AE, Don Bluth made an attempt (albeit pale) to endow a classic animation with something more than cute & cuddly characters. The post-apocalyptic space setting is home to the very thing that separates good sci-fi from the rest: an idea.

The story of the bitter and rebellious Cale (Matt Damon) who literally holds humanity’s future in the palm of his hand is not really new. The plot is predictable but despite this, the action is fast-paced and engaging. The acting is decent and the musical score gallops onward alongside Titan AE through a story that shapes Cale.

In the movie business, Titan AE was a flop but much like Serenity, it remains an animation landmark, mainly for the digital technology involved, the superb space scenery (that reminds us of the Hubble Telescope) and for being a good sci-fi in general.