The Road to El Dorado (2000)

Con men Miguel (left) and Tulio (right) from “The Road to El Dorado”

 Dreamworks Studios, known more for their 3d animated features, gave us a real treasure in 2000 with the release of The Road to El Dorado. This film ha all the elements of an enjoyable comedy with superb detail to the animation, art, script and score. Although critics have given this film a mixed review, I find it quite enjoyable to watch again and again. The timing of the dialogue matched to the anticipation of the characters works well, their theatrical exaggerations are humorous and nicely animated.

 The story takes place n Spain, the year is 1591. Two grifters named Miguel (voice of Kenneth Branagh) and Tulio (voice of Kevin Kline) win a map in a game of dice and stowaway aboard a ship headed for the New World. Their intentions are to find the legendary city of El Dorado to greedily get as much gold as possible. The dialogue between these two characters carries a great storyline, enhanced by the voice talent of Rosie Perez as the young native girl Chel who helps them one they become received as Gods in the lot city.

 Soundscore is provided by the Academy award winning team of Tim Rice and Sir Elton John which plays for a fitting sound track. Additional voice talents include Armand Assante as the insane high priest and Eward Jame Olmos as the benevolent tribal leader. The opening credits capture the feel of this pre-Conquistador era so don’t miss one minute of this classic.