Whatever You Do, Don't Throw Off... "The Emperor's New Groove"

The Emperor's New Groove (2000)

Rated G

Starring the voices of David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, Wendie Malick

Directed by Mark Dindal

The Story:

Emperor Kuzco (Spade) is ready to build himself a birthday present: Kuzco-Topia! The problem? It sits on the hilltop owned by Pacha (Goodman), so the Emperor breaks the news that Pacha's gotta go!  Meanwhile, Yzma (Kitt) is plotting to overthrow the Emperor so that she can rule the kingdom.  Her plan goes awry, and Kuzco winds up as a talking llama in the care of Pacha.

Based on a true story!

No, not really, but welcome to one of the best Disney films of the last generation.

It's funny, from start to finish.

Aside from a great opening number, it's not a musical.

You can think of it as a Buddy Picture... or a Road Picture.  Either works.

Pacha and Kuzco are polar opposites, but they grow to appreciate and care for each other before it's all said and done.

Spade is at the top of his sarcastic game, and turns in likely his best movie performance.

And remember, I like most of Spade's films.

Goodman is great as Pacha, a year before he killed it as Sulley for Pixar's Monster's Inc.

Wendie Malick is hilarious as Pacha's wife, and she comes in quite handy during the 2nd half of the film.

Finally, Kitt and Warburton make for a dynamic evil duo that will keep you in stitches throughout.

There's nothing that I don't love about this film.

Perfect.

No Touchy!

Now streaming on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: I own it and it's one of our favorite Disney's of all time.  The little one has discovered it and it's been playing almost daily.  No complaints. :)

100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 14 ~ The Emperor's New Groove

Yes, you read it correctly. 

Disney's greatest cartoon is none other than The Emperor's New Groove.

I would say it's their most underrated cartoon ever, but in nearly ever circle I've traveled in, everyone LOVES this movie.

For those of you that haven't, here's what you've missed so far:

Emperor Kuzco wants to build himself a birthday present: another home for himself.  Unfortunately, the location is on the property of local peasant, Pacha and his family.  Meanwhile, his trusted advisor, Yzma, is plotting his death so she can take over the kingdom.

The plan backfires and turns Kuzco into a llama...

Oh sure, it sounds silly... and if it were a live-action film, it  just might be.  But as an animated feature, it works in spades!

Speaking of spades, let's get on with the characters...

Emperor Kuzco is voiced by David Spade.  He is at his hilarious best as the spoiled, cynical emperor who is suddenly transformed into a llama.  His only hope lies with the peasant Pacha, who he just tried to take his home away from moments earlier.  John Goodman returns to the countdown in a voice-over role, playing Pacha, the man with the heart of gold who helps the emperor, despite his misgivings that it will probably be in his best interest to let the llama fend for himself against those who might see him harm.

Which leads us to Yzma, voiced by the wickedly delightful Eartha Kitt.  I would stack her right at the top of Disney villains, as she is certainly over-the-top in pure evil-ness.  As with most Disney villains, she requires a comedic sidekick to make the audience snicker instead of cower when they are on screen together.  We receive Kronk this time, and he is absolutely hilarious.  Voiced by the distinctly obvious Patrick Warburton, it's a joy to watch and hear Kronk throughout the movie.

Disney attempted to recreate the magic a few years later with Kronk's New Groove, but it just didn't have the same ooph that this one has.

I would guess the movie has played at least 100 times in our house over the years.  Sure, it seems like a lot of viewings, but that is spread out over 6 kids and 12 years.

That it's also my wife's favorite Disney, if not outright movie, movie...

Yeah, this was going pretty high up the list.

: )