In 2004, Tadeo Jones’ first short film debutedwhich caused a sensation in the Spanish animation industry, winning a Goya award and being the cornerstone of a saga whose first film was released in 2012, becoming one of the most successful animated films in Spanish cinema, both nationally and internationally, winner of three Goya awards and provoking, five years later, the production of a sequel, “The Secret of King Midas”, which had the challenge of surpassing its predecessor.
Already established as a successful franchise, ‘Tadeo Jones 3. The Emerald Table’ now hits theaters, which appears to be the culmination of a saga that has gone from less to moretanning over time, showing that the good-natured adventurer has not only matured, but is already playing in the big series, with a much more ambitious proposal than the previous two episodes, especially as regards the technical part, where the film dazzles with an animation which has nothing to envy to that of Hollywood productions.
Indeed, its animation is its greatest merit, in a feature film that knows how to exploit the adventure genre to carry out an exercise in splendid visual style, especially in the scenes set in Paris, a true litmus test in which Enrique Gato shows the solidity of a saga in continuous rise. Because of the genre, the film goes around the world, with Mexico, Chicago, Paris and the Egyptian pyramids as its main settings. a journey into the world that allows, on the one hand, that the plot is dynamic and does not falter at any moment, and, on the other hand, to carry out that exercise in visualization which, in fact, shows that the Lightbox film also shows the technical progress of the CGI in a promising sector like the Spanish one.
Then there is the story, more elaborate and complex. Although Tadeo continues to be that dreamy and clumsy adventurer who is a lover of archeology, Now he faces a greater challenge than having to live with the sanbenito of being an upstart, since his discoveries and exploits must remain secret., given the danger associated with the disclosure of dangerous treasures such as that of King Midas or the treasure of the Incas. This dissonance is used to address the dangers of recognizing others and how self-esteem avoids falling into empty flattery. A background that gives “The Emerald Table” greater depth than its predecessors.
The best episode of the series
It also helps that this dilemma is amplified by sharing it with new characters, who bring out the female ones. Here you can see the hand of Manuel Burque and Josep Gatell, who defend themselves as screenwriters in their first animation project. They both created two secondary characters that add spice to the story, mainly highlighting the mummy of pharaoh Ra-Amon-Ah, which represents that critique of history (even archeology itself) of how historical female figures have been buried in books or transformed into mere footnotes. Mention also for Victoria Moon, eccentric researcher who acts as a wonderful counterpoint to Sara, the courageous archaeologist and girlfriend of Tadeo, who gains autonomy in this third part.
In a way, ‘The Emerald Table’ has a certain spirit of closing the cycle and starting another, setting up a group of adventures that, without a doubt, requires a fourth episode. On the other hand, to the addition of a much more complex plot and that it is an epic adventure, we add the touch of humor so characteristic of the franchise, which Burque and Gatell have managed to combine between a somewhat familiar look. and another. meaner, especially with regard to the scenes in Paris.
‘Tadeo Jones 3. The Emerald Tablet’ is the demonstration of the consolidation of a saga that offers hope to the Spanish animation industry, which can be described as a true diamond in the rough, having had several noteworthy proposals in recent years, both in its commercial vein and in that of the author, but which has lacked that visibility and the international gaze enjoyed by the adventurous archaeologist. A film that follows the aura of success of other European titles such as ‘Ballerina’ or ‘Fireheart’, which broke the barriers, proving that there is an alternative to the dominance of Disney, Illumination or DreamWorks.
Note: 7
The best: Its animation is dazzling, the new characters gain more weight.
Worse: His resolution seems somewhat hasty.
Source: E Cartelera
