THE ROAD TO EL DORADO

DreamWorks’ The Road to El Dorado offers colorful animation, comic misadventures, memorable humor, and an appealing friendship between two unlikely heroes. It teaches honesty, kindness, friendship, and respect for human life. Its unique soccer-style game and long opening sequence are especially enjoyable.

The movie also wanders into complicated theological territory. Pagan religion, an occult villain, human sacrifice, and a demonic monster create concerns, while some naturalistic nudity and mild language make it less suitable for younger children. The heroes also rely on gambling and deceit before that deceit is eventually rebuked.

Older children and adults can find much to enjoy here, especially if your family is prepared to discuss the film’s mixed worldview. Younger children may not follow the early dialogue and character development, and some may be too scared by the monster.

So, yes: The Road to El Dorado is worth the trip for older children and adults who can navigate its content and ideas.

Tulio and Miguel are two Spanish con men who find a map to the legendary golden city of El Dorado. After becoming unintentional stowaways on a ship headed for the New World, they escape with the help of a kindly war-horse named Altivo.

When the trio reaches El Dorado, Tulio and Miguel are mistaken for gods foretold by the tribe’s pagan prophecies. As a power struggle grows between the tribal chief and an evil priest, the two con men see an opportunity to take some of the city’s gold.

Three stars means this is a good, entertaining animated adventure with noticeable weaknesses. The movie is colorful, funny, and sometimes exciting. Its long opening sequence and unusual soccer-style game stand out, though the opening begins too suddenly and may be difficult for younger children to understand.

The story also includes complicated character development and complex dialogue. That makes the early portion less accessible to children, even as the humor and adventure keep the film lively.

The movie’s strongest qualities are its good-natured tone and its positive moral principles. It teaches honesty, friendship, kindness, and respect for human life. Still, the complicated theological ideas and frightening monster keep it from being an unqualified recommendation.

The film’s worldview is mixed. It teaches honesty, friendship, kindness, and respect for human life. It also rebukes the evil occult paganism of Tzekel-Kan, including his idolatrous desire for human sacrifice.

At the same time, the story exalts human effort and leaves God out of the equation. One scene mocks the priest’s belief that human beings have a strongly sinful nature. His answer is to frighten people into proper behavior through regular human sacrifices. The Christian answer, as the source review explains, is belief in Jesus Christ, who died in our place so that we can receive eternal life.

The movie also reflects a romantic view of humanity and primitive societies, treating people as essentially good. Its portrayal of the Spanish conquistador Cortes reflects a revisionist approach to history and the Christian worldview associated with him. These ideas sit uneasily beside the movie’s moral lessons.

The film’s longing for friendship, kindness, and respect for life points toward truths Scripture affirms, even though the movie places its hope in human effort. “Since the creation of the world, God’s invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived” (Romans 1:20).

Colorful, funny, and morally instructive, The Road to El Dorado gives older children and adults plenty to enjoy. Its pagan and occult elements, frightening monster, and other content call for family discernment. For the intended audience, it is WORTH THE TRIP.