The Road to El Dorado [G]

Miguel and Tulio are two infamous Spanish thieves and con artists who are thrust into their greatest adventure ever when they win a map that shows the way to El Dorado: the legendary City of Gold, then chased by cheated gamblers and forced to stow away on a ship heading for the New World. Once captured, they manage to escape from the fearsome Captain Cortes and wind up shipwrecked on the shores of El Dorado using the map to find the legendary city in the hope of loading their pockets with gold. Upon finding the City, the duo are mistaken for Gods and their friendship is threatened as their senses of companionship, adventure, and greed collide. With Cortes out to find the City of Gold and the High Priest beginning to suspect their lack of divinity, Miguel and Tulio must make a choice: either run or save the City from discovery and inevitable destruction. 

I used to love this movie growing up and, watching it now as an adult, it still holds all the same joys as it did then. Like Sinbad, The Road to El Dorado is another Dreamworks Animation picture whose animation is akin to that of Disney and Don Bluth family favourites and it really is just wonderful. The script, the animation, the cast, and the memorable soundtrack from Elton John and Tim Rice, who are most well remembered for the immortal soundtrack they did for The Lion King, this movie is great, just great, and holds entertainment for a variety of age groups. 

Miguel and Tulio are two infamous Spanish thieves and con artists who are thrust into their greatest adventure ever when they win a map that shows the way to El Dorado: the legendary City of Gold, then chased by cheated gamblers and forced to stow away on a ship heading for the New World. Once captured, they manage to escape from the fearsome Captain Cortes and wind up shipwrecked on the shores of El Dorado using the map to find the legendary city in the hope of loading their pockets with gold. Upon finding the City, the duo are mistaken for Gods and their friendship is threatened as their senses of companionship, adventure, and greed collide. With Cortes out to find the City of Gold and the High Priest beginning to suspect their lack of divinity, Miguel and Tulio must make a choice: either run or save the City from discovery and inevitable destruction. 

Well I’ve already mentioned the appeal of the soundtrack and the animation is very beautiful and vibrant with incredible creatures and scenery as well as realistic human characters. 

The cast for this film, for me, is a fascination. Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh voice our leading heroes: a combination that you’d never really think of, but a marriage made in heaven. The two play off each other so well and you can really feel the chemistry between them. It’s really great. 

Featuring the voice talents of Rosie Perez, Armand Assante, Edward James Olmos, and Jim Cummings, The Road to El Dorado is a wonderful animated family classic filled with action, adventure, romance, greed, drama, suspense, and comedy. I loved it as a child and I still love it to this day, it’s a film that doesn’t become silly or lose its spark with years.