VIDEO UP PERISCOPE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR DISNEY'S 'ATLANTIS'.

Byline: Rob Lowman Entertainment Editor

When you repeatedly set the benchmark in animation, like Disney has over the years, a relatively good effort can seem almost like a failure. Such was the fate of last summer's ``Atlantis: The Lost Empire,'' which comes out on video and DVD on Jan. 29.

There were no songs, no cute talking toys or monsters. ``Atlantis'' was a mild Indiana Jones-type adventure - more like the 1950s' ``20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,'' except its hero was a bookish Milo Thatch, voiced by Michael J. Fox. In the story, set in the early 1900s, Thatch is the grandson of a great explorer and, fueled by his grandfather's tales, he longs to search for the lost ancient city of Atlantis. When an old friend of his grandfather grandly backs the venture, Milo is off with a bunch of dubious characters to find the city.

While ``Atlantis'' never takes off the way other Disney or Pixar pictures have - ``Beauty and the Beast'' or ``Toy Story,'' for instance - it nevertheless is a quite pleasant trip. You get the feeling the studio was trying for a little older youth crowd, which was why there is less of the cutesy stuff. There is also more of a mystical element - as opposed to magical - to the story that might be lost on younger children.

But having the familiar voices of Fox, James Garner, John Mahoney, Don Novello and Leonard Nimoy helps keep ``Atlantis'' on course. Everyone here sounds like they're trying to develop their characters and not merely mouth the words. The story is told in a straightforward manner without the usual sappy stops. The animation also is not typical Disney. There is a sophisticated comic-book feel to it, which gives it an interesting look.

Hopefully, Disney won't be discouraged from tackling projects like ``Atlantis'' in the future. It's certainly a worthy addition to its already impressive collection of animated classics.

RIDE ON: Peter Yates' 1979 film ``Breaking Away'' is a witty coming-of-age film that still holds up today. Based on Steve Tesich's semi- biographical script, for which he won an Oscar, ``Breaking Away'' tells the story of four 19-year-olds who are drifting after their graduation from high school in Bloomington, Ind. Looked down on by the students at Indiana University, the ``cutters'' - as they are known, because their parents had cut the stone for the university's buildings - are faced with little opportunity in their lives. Dave Stohler (Dennis Christopher) and his three friends - ex-football star Mike (Dennis Quaid), goofy Cyril (Daniel Stern) and overcompensating tough guy Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley) - mostly hang out at familiar places, resigned to their fate.

Mike, though, becomes infatuated with the world of Italian bicycle racing and from there begins to see a larger world. As Mike's vision widens, he is caught between the possibility of a new life and the pull of his old, as his friends - who probably never will amount to much - discourage him from trying.

``Breaking Away,'' which is being released on DVD as part of Fox's family series, is a heartwarming, comic and instructive tale - a small gem not to be forgotten.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR: John Frankenheimer's 1966 film ``Seconds,'' recently out on DVD, is a cautionary sci-fi tale about aging businessman Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph), who trades his life for a second chance to be young again. All he has to do to become the reborn ``Tony'' (Rock Hudson) is turn over all his assets to an unknown corporation, undergo an extensive body makeover (surgically and through exercise) and then give up his freedom by living in a controlled colony. Of course, you get to look like Rock Hudson and find an appropriate woman who just so happens to want you. But in the long run, this youthful paradise is an illusion, and trouble develops. Frankenheimer keeps the tension up in what is ultimately a neat little horror film.

RETURN TO 'PARADISE' : Marcel Carne's 1944 ``Children of Paradise'' (``Les Enfants du Paradis'') has been called by some the greatest film ever made. We won't go that far, but the classic film has been released on DVD in an exquisite package from Criterion. Shot in wartime France when the filmmakers were under the thumb of the Nazis, ``Children'' - set in 1840s Paris - tells the story of four men in love with the same woman, Arletty (Garance). Jacques Prevert's witty script is brought to life by some marvelous performances, especially Baptiste Debureau as Jean-Louis Barrault, a love-struck performer and the greatest mime of his day, which Barrault was.

The film was a monumental achievement, and there is much to be admired about it - a must-see from any true fan of the cinema.

A REAL KICK: Normally, I wouldn't bother to mention ``Kiss of the Dragon.'' It is a noisy, badly over-the-top action flick. The plot is a mere pretext to get everybody running around, hitting people and shooting guns. But I have to admit Jet Li's first name is appropriate. Sure, some of the martial-art star's moves are aided by special effects, but there are times it's evident Li is fast and quick and a wonder to watch. That's a flimsy reason to watch the film, but maybe that's all some of us need for ``Dragon,'' which is out today on DVD and video.

``Atlantis - The Lost Empire (Collector's Edition)'' (Disney) is listed at $39.99 on a two-disc DVD set, which includes commentary, a behind-the- scenes look at the making of the film, ``Fact or Fiction of Atlantis,'' and deleted scenes. The film on VHS is $26.99.

``Breaking Away'' (Fox) is $19.98 on DVD.

``Seconds'' (Paramount) is $24.99 on DVD. It includes commentary from John Frankenheimer.

``Children of Paradise'' (Criterion) is 39.95 for the two-disc DVD set. It includes commentary by film scholars Brian Stonehill and Charles Affron, 24-page booklet, including transcribed excerpts from Stonehill's 1990 interview with Marcel Carne, cast biographies, an essay by film historian Peter Cowie, an introduction by director Terry Gilliam and a new English subtitle translation.

``Kiss of the Dragon'' (Fox) is $26.98 on DVD and includes commentary by Jet Li, Bridget Fonda and director Chris Nahon, plus four featurettes. The VHS version is priced for rental.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) This hilltop view of the ancient city of Atlantis reveals a once-beautiful paradise that is slowly decaying in Disney's ``Atlantis: The Lost Empire.''

(2) Milo Thatch (Michael J. Fox) uses a mysterious ancient book to guide the commander and his lieutenant to the lost city in the animated film, available Jan. 29 on DVD and video.