New Showbiz

You are here:
Raiders of Atlantis

Raiders of Atlantis

1983

Unrated

Director

Ruggero Deodato

Runtime

92 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

A team of scientists working to raise a sunken Russian nuclear submarine on an ocean platform off the coast of Miami, Florida, unearth an ancient Atlantean relic from the sea floor and bring in an expert to make some sense of it. But while attempting to raise the sub, radioactive leakage from its missles triggers the re-emergence of Atlantis, and the resulting tidal wave destroys the platform and leaves only a small group of survivors. Rescued by two Vietnamvets-turned-heavies who are out relaxing after their latest job, their boat eventually runs aground on a Carribean island nearby where, upon going ashore, it is discovered that everything has been destroyed and everybody killed. The culprits, a vicious group of well-armed raiders, and their leader, Crystal Skull, are descendants of Atlantis' original race who set about reclaiming the world and adding the survivors to the list of victims as they struggle to stay alive and defeat the raiders and send Atlantis back to the ocean floor.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.4/10

Limited

Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks any discernible mention of non-heteronormative identities or queer themes. The focus remains strictly on a survivalist ensemble and a central antagonistic force.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative leans toward traditional action-adventure archetypes. The primary drivers of the plot do not suggest a subversion of gender hierarchies or conventional masculine leadership.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Fair

The setting and the presence of an Atlantean descendant race suggest potential for diverse casting. However, the narrative does not explicitly indicate intersectional depth or the disruption of casting norms.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The film utilizes a classic Western survivalist framework. The conflict is framed through the lens of protecting survivors against an external, 'othered' threat.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no evidence of characters with visible or invisible disabilities. The focus on physical survival and combat capability precludes nuanced portrayals of disability.

Strengths

  • The setting in Miami and the Caribbean provides a backdrop that allows for diverse casting possibilities.
  • The concept of an Atlantean descendant race offers a narrative opening for non-Anglo-Saxon characterization.

Areas for Improvement

  • The film relies heavily on traditional action archetypes that reinforce standard gender hierarchies.
  • The narrative lacks any representation of LGBTQ+ identities or queer perspectives.
  • There is a complete absence of characters portraying visible or invisible disabilities.
  • The story follows a Western-centric survivalist framework that treats the antagonist as an 'othered' threat.

AI Analysis

Raiders of Atlantis is a conventional 1980s genre piece that prioritizes high-tension spectacle and survivalist grit over sociopolitical subversion. The plot follows a standard disaster-to-conflict arc, moving from a scientific mishap to a confrontation with a lost civilization. The film operates within a traditional framework, relying on established tropes of science fiction and action. It focuses on external threats and physical combat rather than the exploration of identity or the deconstruction of social hierarchies. Ultimately, the narrative lacks the intentionality required to disrupt conventional expectations regarding gender, race, or cultural power dynamics, sticking instead to a hero-versus-villain structure.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.