Friday, June 19, 2015

Review: The Emperor's New Groove (2000)


Summary:
A selfish ruler accidentally gets transformed into a llama when his former adviser attempts to poison him.   With the help of Pacha, a villager, he journeys to find the cure for his, er, llama-ness.   Can they stop the evil Yzma before she takes over the throne?

Thoughts:
     I was one of the very few who grew up in the 2000's who didn't watch this movie as a child.   When I finally got to watch it, rainbows spewed out my ears as my brain exploded into glitter and kittens.   (Okay, not really, but it sounded cool.)
     The film begins with a look at a pitiful llama.   Kuzco, who narrates the film, explains that the llama is actually him.   He claims that he was once an emperor who was pretty charming, and the nicest guy on the planet.   Or was he?
     The next segment shows the (unknowingly) selfish Kuzco in a normal day at the palace.   He has every servant at his beck and call for anything that he could ever want, and anyone who messes with his "groove" gets in huge trouble.   Like, thrown-off-the-side-of-the-palace trouble.   When looking at candidates for a bride, he is bluntly rude to them and the matchmaker.   He instills fear in everyone he meets because of his extreme power.
     When Kuzco goes to his throne room, he finds Yzma, his adviser, sitting in his throne.   As she tries make an excuse as to why she was sitting there, Kuzco realizes how old and ugly Yzma is, and how (unknowingly) touchy her henchman, Kronk, is.   He fires her on the spot for "playing emperor" and, of course, her un-coolness.   Yzma and Kronk plot revenge.
     Next, we meet Pacha,  a nice villager.   He has been summoned to meet the emperor on behalf of his village.   Kuzco asks a few questions of what the hilltop where Pacha's house resides is like, then reveals his plan to tear down the village to make room for his summer palace.   Pacha tries to tell Kuzco why this is a bad idea, but Kuzco refuses to listen.   Pacha worries.
     Yzma, who has decided to poison Kuzco, invites the emperor over for dinner.   She gives him a drink with the "poison" in it, and just when she thinks it has worked, he wakes up and begins turning into a llama!   Kronk knocks him out, and through a series of events, the emperor's bagged llama body ends up in a cart going straight to Pacha's house.   Kuzco is completely unaware that he has transformed.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
     If you're looking for a purely silly movie, look no further!   This movie will have you all giggles.   There are no serious overtones, adult themes, or swearing, the movie is purely funny through and through.   The characters are hilarious!   It's impossible to pick a favorite.   The sequel is just as good, and I'll try to review that as soon as possible.   ☺

What is your favorite part of The Emperor's New Groove?

2 comments:

  1. This is one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. I definitely agree with your recommendation! :D Kuzco is just crazy and awesome and SO IS EVERYONE ELSE. Plus Eartha Kitt is the bomb dot com. If you've never looked up Yzma's cut villain song, I definitely would. It is great.

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    Replies
    1. Cool! I'll have to look into that. Kuzco's inner monologues give me life. XD

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