While the physics in our universe follow specific laws and behave in a predictable way, the physics in animated films are not tied to such a strict pattern. Animated films can exaggerate and alter physics to emphasize movement, create a more engaging story, and to produce a more interesting visual impact. Films like “The Road to El Dorado,” produced by Dreamworks Animation, follow many realistic laws of physics and yet include moments where the film breaks from reality to push the film to a more interesting level. These breaks from realistic physics are used strategically, and therefore strengthen the movie as a whole. Several examples of unrealistic movement in the movie include unrealistic paths of action, exaggerated reactions to the environment or lack thereof, and magical elements that completely defy reality.
“The Road to El Dorado,” features quite a few instances where objects and characters in the movie follow unrealistic paths of action and display impossible speed or spacing. These exaggerations would probably not stand out to a regular audience, however, to any animator or physicist watching, these discrepancies from reality are immediately noticeable. As stated earlier, these moments of unrealistic movement are used to further the story. In many of the following instances unrealistic physics are used for comedic effect or to make a challenging feat even more impressive.
An example of unrealistic physics in the film occurs when the two protagonists and their horse fall about one hundred feet or more from a ledge and are in free-fall and then tumble against the edge of the cliff and roll roughly to a stop but without any noticeable injuries. This is completely unrealistic because at least the horse should exhibit some sort of injury if not death. The average horse can way around 900 to 1,000 pounds, and since momentum of a falling object is based on both velocity and mass it would be falling with a considerable momentum. The terminal velocity for a human is about 120-140 mph, so it is safe to assume that the terminal velocity for a horse would be even higher. The horse would likely be accelerating to its terminal velocity and probably not even reach it before impact, meaning that it was accelerating until the moment that it made contact with the cliff side. The force to stop a 900 pound animal would be great, so the survival of the horse falling such a huge distance seems completely impossible. The horse could also be brought to a stop with a small amount of force applied for a long time, however the film shows the horse hitting the side of the cliff only a few times before tumbling along the ground. The survival of the two humans seems equally impossible, however because they are considerable smaller and perhaps would be able to survive with injuries if brought to a stop more gradually. In conclusion, all three beings were in free-fall for about 100 ft. and unrealistically survive without a scratch. While this is not a believable occurrence, it is used to exaggerate this moment in the story and also to physically block the characters from turning back along their journey and force them to continue moving forward.
Another instance in the movie where the physics of reality are altered is when the main characters engage in the ancient Mesoamerican ball game of ōllamaliztli. The characters have to use their armadillo companion who rolls up as their ball in order to cheat and win the game. The armadillo is able to fool the other players into believing he is a ball and when he is thrown he is able to alter his own path to get into the hoop and score points for his team. This action in and of itself is rather unrealistic, especially with the opposing team being oblivious to the living animal that they are playing with, however this is also for the purpose of bringing comedic effect to the scene. One specific instance during the game where the laws of physics are ignored when the opposing team manages to hit to armadillo in a direct arc toward the hoop. The armadillo sticks out its feet and comes to a complete stop outside of the hoop. According to the law of inertia, the armadillo’s ears, tail, and perhaps even entire head should continue moving forward even after the body of the animal comes to a full stop. It is quite a basic technique to include a drag of extremities and soft material with any sudden stop of movement, so it is clear that the animators made a calculated choice to leave out the effect. This choice actually works very well because like the previous example, this brings contrast to the movement and the complete halt of the animal not only makes the instant much more noticeable, it also adds comedic effect to the scene.
A final example of incorrect motion used in the film is during a scene where the character Miguel rides his horse at a gallop, the horse makes an impossibly high/far jump of about 100 feet horizontally and about 40 feet in height in a parabolic arc, and then Miguel jumps off of the horse at the apex of its jump another 30 feet in distance to the top mast of a ship. This is simply not possible, the furthest recorded jump performed by a horse was about 60 feet, and the highest jump recorded of a horse jumping was 8 feet. A human’s highest recorded jump was about 5 feet. Needless to say, the distance and height of both the character and the horse are not physically possible in our world but do serve to dramatize the moment. Exaggerating the jump emphasizes the sacrifice and emotion of the scene.
The physics of the world of “The Road to El Dorado” also deviate from reality is shown in the character’s exaggerated reactions to the environment, or lack thereof. One example of this is in a situation when the main characters are standing still when a huge crowd of strong men run past them at an unrealistically fast speed. The wind and dust following them is portrayed as so strong that it blows the character’s hair to about 3 times its original volume. While this would be possible with a teasing comb, a blowdryer, and a lot of hairspray, it simply isn’t possible for the breeze behind running men to cause such an incredibly strong wind. An under-reaction to an environmental effect shown in the movie occurs when the antagonist of the film falls into a waterfall. He is shown to fall at least 300 feet into a whirlpool, gets dragged underwater and is pushed through an underwater tunnel at least 60 feet below the surface of the water. The impact of hitting the water, pressure of being so deep under the surface, and extreme underwater speed seem like they would at least cause the antagonist to pass out, if not drown, however he surfaces from the water in the next scene fully conscious and capable of speaking. Lastly, another situation in which there is a noticeable under-reaction to environmental factors is when the horse runs across burning hot coals. The horse does not yet have horseshoes on his hooves (even though the steel would conduct heat anyway) and yet is somehow able to walk across flaming hot coals without any sign of pain. This was probably included for the purpose of making the scene exciting; this section of the movie accompanies music and singing, and features extremely bright, neon colors. The bright orangey red of the fiery coals adds to the overload of color that goes with this scene, and works well as a visual effect. I believe the reason for these overreactions/under reactions to the environment is visual and thematic purposes, as well as to explain the movement of the antagonist from one location to another.
Lastly, the film features feats of magic that are not possible in our world. The antagonist is able to bring a giant stone lion to life using a ritual. As far as we know today, it is not possible to imbue an inanimate object with life. In addition, this character is able to float above the ground during his ritual, which defies the laws of gravity on Earth. Without a net force greater that the character’s force that he is exerting against the ground, there would be no way for him to be lifted from the ground in such a way. There is no visibly strong wind coming from beneath him that could push him upward, so he is therefore breaking the laws of gravity on Earth. Finally, the magician is able to transform his pear into the illusion of a rat and the conjures many of these holographic rats from thin air as well creating snakes and spiders that glow with a green light. It is also not possible to transform objects, create holograms of living creatures, or create a light source from thin air. The inclusion of magic in the movie is blatantly unrealistic compared to the physics of our world, and is part of the film for the sake of the plot. The antagonist’s magic plays a crucial role in the movie and without the villain, there would be no conflict in the story. Magic is used in this instance to completely break from reality and develop the story.
In conclusion, the laws of Physics on Earth are broken for the sake of emphasis, exaggeration, and for the plot. These moments of unrealistic movement and effects serve to draw the audience’s attention to specific motions and areas of the screen. For example, when objects come to a sudden stop with no follow through, the contrast of fast movement to a complete stop draws the audience’s eye immediately. If the animators were to animate everything without any regard to the physical laws of Earth then the movie would likely feel less believable and would not noticeably emphasize certain moments. In addition, the unrealistic physics really work to escalate the drama in certain scenes and to move the story forward. I believe that all of the digressions from realistic physical laws have a purpose and are used strategically. This is kind of the whole point of animation; to imitate reality but use one’s power as an artist to alter it for the benefit of the story. Overall the world of “The Road to El Dorado” was wonderfully animated and the physics were altered with the intention of improving the quality of the film.
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