This 26-Year-Old DreamWorks Gem Received 49% on RT – but It Deserves All 100%
Although this animation is more mature than what we've come to expect from the studio, it is still accessible to kids.
In 2000, DreamWorks released The Road to El Dorado, an animated buddy comedy about two con artists who accidentally discover a legendary city of gold.
This animated film is one of the studio's most underrated works. Unlike Disney, DreamWorks has been committed to bolder projects from the beginning, and this movie is a shining example of mature, stylish, and charming cinema.
What Is 'The Road to El Dorado' About?
Tulio and Miguel are two con artists from 16th-century Europe who swindle people on the streets. They win a map leading to the mythical city of El Dorado. However, they are accidentally captured on the ship of the conquistador Hernán Cortés.
They escape with Cortés' horse and find El Dorado, where the locals mistake them for gods. Tulio and Miguel must now find a way to get the treasure without revealing their true identities.
A local girl named Chel helps them, but she has her own plans.
'The Road to El Dorado's Main Strength Lies in Its Unique Protagonists
The main difference between The Road to El Dorado and typical animations is its characters. The two main characters are con artists who profit from deception – initially, their only goal is to find gold. To achieve this, they are willing to resort to any trick, even impersonating gods.
Chel, who agrees to help them, is no less morally questionable and exploits guests to fulfill her desires. Over time, Miguel and Tulio change, but they cannot be considered positive characters.
Meanwhile, the authors effortlessly portray the couple's friendship – they are equally energetic, but have different personalities.
'The Road to El Dorado' Is a Visual Spectacle With a Charming Soundtrack
The creators clearly invested heavily in the pyramids, temples, and architecture, and the locals wear all sorts of jewelry and headdresses. The animation is bright and colorful, filled with green forests, flowers, and glittering gold, which adds to the positive atmosphere.
Elton John wrote the music for most of the songs, Tim Rice wrote the lyrics, and Hans Zimmer composed the original soundtrack.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'The Road to El Dorado'?
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The Road to El Dorado has 49% from critics and 67% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.9/10.
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On Letterboxd, The Road to El Dorado scored 3.6/5.0.
Where to Watch 'The Road to El Dorado'?
The Road to El Dorado is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.
