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Much of this story, although accredited to Philip Lezebnik, derives, it would seem, from Rudyard Kipling's short story "The Man Who Would Be King" (directed as a film in 1975 by John Huston, starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine): 1) Two adventurers travel abroad in search of a golden treasure, 2) These men are readily accepted as gods by the inhabitants of a hidden city, 3) A beautiful maiden becomes concubine to one of these men, 4) Lust for wealth becomes subordinate (for one of the men) when replaced by the overwhelming desire to maintain power as a god or, at least, a king, and 5) Accidentally shed blood becomes the revealing factor in exposing the mortality of these "humans,". All in all, there is a powerfully dark, yet hidden aspect to the morality dealt out within this seemingly frolicking animation film. Perhaps all that glitters is not golden.
There are numerous questionable issues cast repeatedly to the wind during apparently cheerful (and frivolous?) exchanges that take place between the two lead characters and their newly found female accomplice. With some reflection, one might possibly ask: 1) Is gold the ultimate reward toward which everyone should aim their sites? 2) Are deception and deviousness acceptable practices in pursuing one's goal? 3) Is it honorable to renounce undeserved riches solely in order to replace them with the lust for power and the pretension to godliness? and 4) Is the end worth any means? Yes, all of these questions are buried (more deeply than the gold) inside this seemingly simple story. When Tulio (Kevin Kline) and Miguel (Kenneth Branagh) argue about the difference in their methodologies, it is not with regard to their ethics, but to their efficiency. When Tulio continually negotiates with Chel (Rosie Perez) about percentages, they are both more concerned with riches than with their intimacies (until their final barter). When the two male scoundrels use their godly devices to banish the evil Tzekel-Kan (Armand Assante), it is not with thoughts of magnanimity and brotherhood toward the villagers, but with thoughts of achieving ultimate success in their feverish venture. Etcetera, etcetera.
The constant villain Tzekel-Kan, embodiment of evil and worshipper of the impending god of destruction (according to their ancient doctrines), desperately seeks sacrificial victims, only to be repeatedly rebuffed in his efforts by the false gods' imperatives. He exists, on the whole, more as a humorous front man oddly allied with the newcomers for a comedy routine than as a forceful opponent to them (except when finally assisted by his great rock-Jaguar beast). Even the amiable Chief (Edward James Olmos) eventually reveals himself as an associate in the two scoundrels' conquest of the Golden City. Only the minor (and undeveloped) characters are truly saved from all elements of avariciousness. Cortes may arrive to the notes of "Dies Irae," while Tulio and Miguel rebound to the lyrics of Elton John and Tim Rice (scored by Hans Zimmer), but the music, whether ominous or joyful, hides a multitude of sins within the characters. Cortes may step on a skull and smash it to bits, but the two so-called heroes have disrupted the primitive beauty of Paradise. The deep sacrificial pool is not the only dangerous hole spiraling around on this island.
Most of the elements found in this animated tale are not as humorous as they might appear when taken at face value. Of course, every coin has two sides. Even when all the evil manipulations are happily resolved at the end, one is left wondering if these two cheerful chums and their thieving femme fatale sidekick are really acceptable as roll models for the children of a new age. Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh are as solid as the rest of the cast in interpreting their characters, but the only immediately recognizable voice (without a program list) is that of the delightful Rosie Perez as Chel. Fine FX and fun animation. Enjoyable entertainment, but take a close and careful look behind those symbolic stone carvings.
"And so dawns the Age of the Jaguar. Happy New Year!"
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