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Fortunately, for them, the map seems genuine and they manage
to find their way to the hidden city, which is even more spectacular
than their expectations.
The natives are friendly - well, most them - but the one
who isn't is the exceedingly powerful priest of El Dorado,
Tzekel-Kan (menacingly tonsilled by Armand Assante) who has
ambitions for higher office. His attempt to stop his people
thinking of the adventurers as gods backfires when, somehow,
they manage to try to stop a volcano erupting at the same
time the volcano decides it doesn't want to erupt.
One of the local maidens, Chel, voiced by a remarkably low-key
Rosie Perez, decides the pair are going to enrich her life
too and then the fun starts.
The Road to El Dorado has almost everything going
for it. Sensational animation, an A-grade cast and the Oscar-winning
musical talents of Elton John, Tim Rice and Hans Zimmer. And
yet, despite the obvious chemistry of Kevin Kline and Ken
Branagh as the two main roles, it fails to capture a place
in the heart.
Whether it just is too slick, or whether the main characters
are just too quick with words, or perhaps the music (from
The Lion King team) doesn't catch the soul … I'm not
sure … but this is no Lion King.
The movie, however, is a perfect example of what can be achieved
technically and its brilliance absolutely shines out of the
screen. The colours, sharpness and sound will have you marvelling.
The Road to El Dorado will appeal to many, so hire
it, check it out for your own likes/dislikes and then decide
on buying it. It's very much a personal thing.
Conclusion: Movie 80%, Extras 75%
Continued:
DVD details at a glance >
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