Thursday 12 September 2024

Favourite Underrated Animated Movie

The Road to El Dorado (2000)

This Dreamworks movie from 2000 doesn't get anywhere near the credit it deserves - the animation is as beautiful as any of the renowned Disney Renaissance features of the 90s and the music is equally as entertaining.



I had initially considered "The Emperors New Groove" but I soon realised that it still has a sizable fanbase, being a Disney movie, and isn't as overlooked as El Dorado has been. From writers Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio, the movie follows two con-men that find a map to the lost City of Gold, El Dorado. Eventually they arrive at the city, following the map and stowing away on a ship belonging to colonist Hernan Cortes. Upon their arrival they are mistaken for gods and find themselves scheming to leave with much of El Dorado's fortunes with them.




Even the songs in this film are highly enjoyable, unsurprising considering the involvement of Elton John and Tim Rice, the latter having worked on a slew of animated movies (Aladdin, The Lion King.) Stand out numbers from the movie include "The Trail we Blaze" "it's Tough to be a God" and "Friends Never Say Goodbye"


Unfortunately, this film had a poor reception both financially and critically, bombing in the box office and not getting the best write up from the critics either. This led to plans for several sequels being shelved and ultimately cancelled. I acknowledge it's not a masterpiece, but it is one of the most fun animated movies there is, and for a non-Disney release around that period, it's a great achievement.



I am really happy to see that in recent years the film has become a bit of a cult classic, thanks largely to online communities and memes.

Also shout out to my friend Fraser Roberts, who loves this film as much as I do, friends never say goodbye!

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