Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
When self-centered Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his scheming advisor, he is forced to rely on good-hearted peasant Pacha to get back home.
The Emperor's New Groove is a genuinely distinctive Disney animated film — its irreverent, self-aware comedic voice, rapid-fire gags, and buddy-comedy structure set it apart from nearly everything else in the Disney canon. The meta-humor and anarchic energy give it a high Novelty score. The plot is fairly simple and functional but serves the comedy well without being particularly deep. Voice performances are charming and well-cast — Spade and Goodman have strong chemistry — but don't transcend the material. Cinematography is solid 2D animation with expressive character work and vibrant Incan-inspired design, though it lacks the visual ambition of Disney's more celebrated efforts. The ending is satisfying and warm without being especially surprising or emotionally resonant beyond genre expectations.