The Road to El Dorado

DreamWorks makes sure the Dream just Works

An adventure that Disney would be proud of, and proud to destroy if it belonged to their production. No. The story follows two main characters, Tulio and Miguel, each with a distinct personality. Their traits are immediately clear from the opening scenes as they gamble, scheme and cheat their way through life.

This animated film is a comedy masterpiece, with a light touch of romance and drama, built on a strong foundation of friendship. The scenes are consistently entertaining and paired with spot-on music by Elton John, which is not only excellent on its own, but perfectly matches the narrative and the atmosphere.

The story never drags, never leaves space for the viewer's mind to wander. It is engaging, beautifully animated, funny, atmospheric and genuinely interesting from start to finish.

The protagonists soon arrive on an island where they discover the legendary city of gold, El Dorado. The locals mistake them for gods, and neither Tulio nor Miguel rushes to correct them, instead choosing to make the most of the situation.

That is the basic premise, and the film never strays from its intended narrative.

When I first saw this movie, I was in awe. To this day, I adore it. It is one of the best animated films, standing comfortably next to works from studios like Ghibli, which are also exceptionally crafted.

It carries no flaws and can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages and mindsets.