7 Underrated Early 2000s Movies You Should Definitely Give a Second Chance

The early-2000's wasn't a particularly robust time for movies. But that doesn't mean that there weren't any good ones; in fact, there were a bunch, although maybe you didn't know it back then. The following movies were either ignored, overlooked, or initially decried -- but they definitely deserve a second go around. 

'Atlantis: The Lost Empire' (2001)

The early 2000's was not a particularly great time for Walt Disney Animation Studios. By 2004, Disney had shuttered their hand-drawn animation unit, giving up a vital part of the company's legacy. But there are some gems sprinkled throughout. And one of those is "Atlantis: The Lost Empire." Hailing from Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, the directors of "Beauty and the Beast," it was initially envisioned as a hard-edged, Harryhausen-esque monster mash. Of course, things got considerably tamed down in development. But the film that was finally released is still worth checking out. The art design, partially supervised by "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola, is stunning; the voice performances from folks like Michael J. Fox and James Garner are exemplary. It's one of the brighter spots of Disney Animation's darker periods.

'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' (2002)

One of the gutsiest, most brilliant debut films in recent memory, George Clooney's "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," based on a beloved screenplay by Charlie Kaufman, demands a reappraisal. The supposedly-true story of Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell, already Oscar-ready), a gameshow host and pop songwriter who claimed to be moonlighting as a CIA assassin during his storied television career, the movie is a wild, careening trip through one man's very troubled psyche. (Spoiler: none of this ever really happened.) Featuring a starry supporting cast (Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Clooney himself) and a kick-ass soundtrack, "Confessions" is an absolute blast.

'Reign of Fire' (2002)

Disney had high hopes for "Reign of Fire," their big budget, post-apocalyptic dragon movie that starred a way-too-invested Matthew McConaughey and a clearly not-at-all-invested Christian Bale. There was a videogame tie-in and a proposed land at Disney's Animal Kingdom, set around mythical creatures -- the latter was partially canceled due to the movie's underperformance. (It did, somehow, make it into the Disney Studios Paris park, but in a much different form.) But the thing about "Reign of Fire" is that it's pretty good. It's scary and funny and really fun to watch; the whole futuristic feudalism conceit is neat. Years before "Game of Thrones" returned dragons to legitimacy, "Reign of Fire" gave it a go. 

'Solaris' (2002)

It's crazy to think that a sci-fi movie directed by Steven Soderbergh, produced by James Cameron, and starring George Clooney (based on a beloved novel, no less) could fly so far under the radar. But "Solaris" did just that; it's trajectory was positively subterranean. And it's such a shame, too, since it's one of Soderbergh's very best films. Clooney plays a psychologist recruited by a private company to investigate the strange happenings on a space station that orbits a planet called Solaris. It's on this station that Clooney has a close encounter of his own that will cause him to question everything. As awe-inspiring as it is heartbreaking, "Solaris" is worth journeying to.  

'All the Real Girls' (2003)

David Gordon Green's sophomore feature, after his blistering debut, "George Washington," has kind of been lost to the hands of time. This is a shame because it's really, really wonderful. Paul Schneider plays a small town lothario who falls in love with the virginal sister (Zooey Deschanel) of his best friend (Shea Whigham). But can he change his womanizing ways? It was clear by "All the Real Girls" that Green was going to be a major force in American cinema, and this film might be his best -- it's painterly and poetic, with flashes of Terrence Malick and early Peter Bogdanovich.

'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' (2004)

If you're one of the many being alternately amused and enraged by "Isle of Dogs," it might be time to return to another polarizing Wes Anderson feature stuffed with stop-motion animated cuteness -- "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou." This movie also suffered through a divisive reaction, with many lamenting the dreary tone and unfocused plot, while others celebrated the performances (led by a peerless Bill Murray) and abundant whimsy (Henry Selick oversaw the animation). This is arguably Anderson's most visually arresting movie and his grandest in scope. Might you feel different about the film now? Only one way to find out!

'The Matador' (2005)

It's unclear why, at the very least, "The Matador" has failed to catch on as a cult classic. In the film, a dry dark comedy that will nevertheless have you cackling at full volume, Greg Kinnear plays a dopey businessman trying to land a job in Mexico. There, he befriends a depressive assassin (played by Pierce Brosnan). What could have been wacky and lame, a Tarantino throwback in desperate need of some wit, is instead surprising and thoughtful, with terrific dialogue (by writer-director Richard Shepard) and one of the all-time greatest Brosnan performances, ruefully sending up his 007 persona.