The Emperor’s New Groove
In the 25 years since its theatrical release, The Emperor’s New Groove has remained a rather unique entry in Disney’s animated filmography. Despite its tumultuous six-year production history, wherein the feature underwent a complete tonal overhaul, the final product has garnered a cult following for being the funniest Disney film by a country mile. I may not have much to say that hasn’t been said about it already, but I can still try.
If, by some slim chance, you haven’t seen it a dozen times already, The Emperor’s New Groove follows Kuzco, a spoiled and conceited Incan Emperor, who’s turned into a llama by Yzma, his wicked advisor. Whisked away from his kingdom, he begrudgingly partners up with Pacha, a kind-hearted peasant, to reclaim his life of leisure, steadily changing for the better in their misadventures. All of this is accomplished with a hearty dose of nonsensical humor and slapstick that harkens back to the cartoon comedies of old.
The movie’s comedic appeal is a marriage of skill between the writers, animators, and, especially, the voice actors. Eartha Kitt and Patrick Warburton, in particular, breathe ample personality into Yzma and her incompetent henchman, Kronk, respectively. Kuzco (David Spade), while funny in his own right, stands out by being arguably one of Disney’s most dynamic protagonists. He proves an unlikable character can be entertaining while simultaneously undergoing a believable arc. John Goodman brings a comforting warmth to Pacha, creating a grounded foil for Kuzco to work off of and connect with.
The Emperor’s New Groove has undoubtedly earned its praise, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without a few flaws. Because of its focus on humor, most attempts at emotional beats are either undercut or rushed through. A longer runtime may have fixed this issue, as well as given us more time to connect with Pacha’s family. While these issues don’t hurt the movie too terribly, it nevertheless leaves something to be desired.
If it wasn’t clear already, I adore The Emperor’s New Groove. Do yourself a favor and give it another viewing to round out the year.
Rating: 9/10
