Mutinous members of their ship’s crew, including a young John Ratzenberger (Cliff from Cheers) are also dragged to Atlantis via a giant octopus under the command of the alien race running the show.
Atlantis is but one of many cities of this underwater world, filled with dinosaur-like monsters and enslaved humans. The Atlantians generate their power from psychic abilities and see Charles as one of their own, showing him a future based along pre-1939 optimistic Nazi lines.
Unwilling to join in their totalitarian dreams (or to wear their very short shorts) Charles is rescued by Greg. He has found an ally in the shapely and well informed local, Delphine (Lea Brodie).
The film is played with a very straight face and though the monsters maintain their hand-puppet looks, the sets and lighting, together with some interesting costumes, make for entertaining sci fi. Though it lags leagues behind the technical abilities of Star Wars (made the year before) at 92 minutes it never feels long and plays to its strengths throughout.
The action moves above and below sea level and keeps the science slightly mysterious and, therefore, slightly more convincing. The live action shots retain their colour and the monsters have plenty of kitch value.
