Hello Cinephiles,
Today we’re talking about the 2000 movie The Road to El Dorado.
Story
It’s rare to get a good buddy comedy where the two main characters are good friends and work well together. A lot of films concentrate on the building of that friendship instead of what happens after.
The story isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s well paced and has some interesting things to think about. I like that they mixed up cultures to make it a unique place that can’t be tied to one group of people.
I was not impressed with the angst between the main characters; it felt forced and overdone.
Score: 0.5
Characters
It was all very simple stock characters but the dynamic between the main two is superb. I would have expected that adding the girl would destroy the dynamic but instead it added a new dimension that worked.
The bad guy is a walking fantasy stereotype and not all that interesting. Same with Cortes.
The chief played being the dumb fat leader and ended up being the smart wise leader. In both roles he was always kind which makes me happy.
Score: 1
Dialogue
There are so many quotable parts of this movie. Wonderful dialogue and quips. It’s the gold standard for this sort of movie along with Emperor’s New Groove.
Score: 1
Visuals and Music
This was a stunningly animated movie. Beautiful scenery, action, and detail.
The music was okay. It felt very bland and a little overly similar. I kept wondering why I thought of the Lion King. Beyond Elton John (who is always fantastic) it was a very derivative score.
Score: 0.5
Fun
The movie made me want more. Two kind hearted grifters trying to make a score and quipping the whole way. Lots of laughs and lot of beautiful scenery.
Score: 1
Overall
The movie is fun, non-offensive (except maybe a few sex jokes), and keeps you entertained the whole time. It’s something I’d re-watch without hesitation. The dynamic between the three mains is something I hope to be able to emulate in some of my own writing.
Final Score: 4 Stars
I just looked it up…music was composed by John Powell (he does a lot of Dreamworks music) and Hans Zimmer (who did the music for Lion King LOL)
I guess that solves why I kept thinking of Lion King. Thanks