Review of The Road to El Dorado (2000) by Megan B — 16 Nov 2009

Ok, this is a review and part of reviewing movies means criticizing the movie, so I'll mention the faults first:

A. the protagonists are liars, thieves and womanizers. I'm sure parents really were unhappy about this, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. A protagonist can teach viewers what NOT to do as well as how to act. That's one secret of success to American Indian Trickster tales.

B. This is a bit more risque than most films. There is sexual congress implied in one scene even. but this too isn't so bad. Sex is missed by most kids and parents can easily explain it away or even, once again, tell kids why premarital sex isn't smart. Look at 'A'.

C. There is a glaring historical inaccuracy. This film took place in mexico and had the Mayan culture as the centerpiece of a lost city. Because the city is isolated, it's ok that they're Mayan (the culture died out long before the Spanish arrived)(The . But the real El Dorado was in Columbia, not Mexico. Still, this is hollywood, not a Latin American Studies Class. Don't let inaccuracies ruin the experience.

Now that the unpleasant business is done, here is what makes the mvie shine:

1. Dreamworks traditional animation is beautiful and this is no exception. The influences of Mesoamerican art are very strong here and the artists did their homework well.

2. Another thing Dreamworks does well in their traditionally animated movies well is the development of good villains. The unprincipled protagonists are matched by a villain who is their foil. The dark priest is orthodox, power-hungry and honestly believes that there is nothing redeemable about humanity. He has a degree of overly lofty morality in his mindset, but also acts like a simpering yes ma. You want to believe he's on your side, but a part of you knows better. Also, He's voiced by the sexy Armand Assante. What more do I need to say, ladies?

3. Usually, I don't like the movie music Sir Elton John does (his renditions of Lion King songs were too sappy for my taste). This time, he didn't aim for sappiness, but for a youthful sense of adventure and wonder in the music he made for this film. It sets the mood perfectly.

Ok. That's all I'm going to say in this all too long review.