The Road to El Dorado
The Road to El Dorado
The story is about two swindlers who get their hands on a map to the fabled city of gold, El Dorado, while pulling off some sort of scam. Their plan goes bad and the rogues end up lost at sea after several misfortunes. Oddly enough, they end up on the shores of El Dorado, and are worshipped by the natives for their foreign appearances.
Nishant Arora reviewedSeptember 2, 2025
The Road to El Dorado is a fun and visually stunning adventure that is a joy to watch. It's an animated buddy comedy that leans into its strengths—the dynamic between its two leads, Tulio and Miguel, is both comedic and heartfelt.
The Good:
The friendship between Tulio and Miguel is the core of the film, and the voice performances by Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh are absolutely brilliant. Their banter and comedic timing are the highlights of the movie. The animation is a vibrant throwback to classic 2D animation, with beautiful, stylized character designs and lush, colorful backgrounds that bring the city of gold to life. The film's sense of humor is witty and well-timed, landing with a more mature tone than most animated films of its era.
The Bad:
The narrative is somewhat simplistic and predictable, following a very familiar "mistaken-for-gods" formula. The songs by Elton John are not as memorable or integrated into the story as his work on The Lion King, feeling more like a separate soundtrack. While the film is visually stunning, the plot feels a bit rushed in getting the characters to El Dorado, spending very little time on the actual "road" of the title.
Ultimately, The Road to El Dorado is a delightful animated film that finds its greatest success in the charming dynamic between its two leads. It's a journey well worth taking for its humor and visual splendor.