The Emperor's New Groove

Movie review by Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
The Emperor's New Groove Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

Fun, goofy cartoon misrepresents Incan culture.

G 2000 78 minutes
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 11 reviews

Kids say

age 5+

Based on 46 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Emperor's New Groove follows a young and self-centered emperor of an Incan kingdom, but don't expect an accurate or respectful portrayal of Incan culture (what is now Peru). There are some scary moments, including a creepy jungle scene that takes place at night. Most of the peril is comic, but it still might be too much for younger kids. And it's worth noting that the sarcastic tone that makes the main character so hilarious could be contagious for young fans. In the end, though, the movie is about a selfish person who sees the error of his ways and reforms, which is a positive takeaway.

Community Reviews

SVB79
SVB79 Adult
April 13, 2020
age 7+

Don't Waste your Time.

As far as Disney movies go, this one was a waste of time. The animation is lousy (think of 90s style "Animaniacs") and story is dull and the "funny" parts aren't that funny. My 8 year old laughed once. My 11 and 13 year olds were almost bored to tears. There's nothing objectionable about the content. It's basically a 2nd rate tale about how the emperor is a self centered egotist that learns a bit of humility. The only redeeming feature of the film is the voice of John Goodman. Otherwise, take your 1 hour and 22 minutes elsewhere.
1 person found this helpful.
Msberann
Msberann Adult
June 8, 2022
age 7+

Not your average Disney movie, but a GREAT COMEDY! :D

This is a very different and very fun Disney movie! I remember watching it as a kid and really enjoying it. The thing about "The Emperor's New Groove" is that it's not supposed to be taken that seriously, it is mostly made for laughs. And rewatching it as an adult I can definitely see their wide use of different kinds of comedy, all from physical to psychological jokes, to visual jokes and more! However, thankfully, it still does have some calmer moments where they talk about the movie's moral and about what is right and wrong, which I also found very impacting as a kid. So while it is a comedy, it still has a nice story and Kuzco has a lesson that needs to be learned. The peasant Pacha is probably the best role model in this movie, since he's so kind and is the voice of reason and gets to guide Kuzco in the right direction. The evil Yzma's henchman Kronk is also very sweet, probably the nicest henchman to a Disney villain ever! And despite all the jokes, they actually manage to get a nice atmosphere and setting here, with their representation of the Inka-people. This world looks so beautiful and peaceful and the backgrounds are gorgeously made. And llamas are a big theme of this movie. ; ) "wink, wink, mild spoiler". It may not be for everyone, but overall, this is a really good movie if you want to have a good laugh, and something that goes outside of the typical Disney format (since this is not a musical or romance or anything like that, though it has at least like one song in it). Perfect for the Friday night, I would say! :D
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE follows the story of spoiled emperor Kuzco (voiced by David Spade). When Kuzco dismisses his advisor, Yzma (Eartha Kitt), she decides to poison him. Her dim but muscular sidekick Kronk (Patrick Warburton) accidentally gives Kuzco the wrong potion, and instead of being killed, he's turned into a llama. Kuzco needs to get help from a peasant named Pacha (John Goodman) to get his body and his kingdom back, and the pair embark on a wild adventure in which they go over a rushing waterfall, get covered with scorpions, are cornered by jaguars, and get chased by Yzma and Kronk.

Is It Any Good?

Fast, fun, and funny, this film deserves to be taken out of the rarified category of "animation" and called what it is: a cartoon. The Emperor's New Groove has more in common with classic Warner Brothers toons like Bugs Bunny and Road Runner than with Disney animation classics. That said, it's important to note that while the film offers a story inspired by Inca culture, it's not a faithful historical representation. There are anachronisms, such as a restaurant on the road and a fantastic vision of the emperor's palace.

Unlike other animated adventures, this story has no perky heroine singing about her dreams, no adorable animal sidekicks, no soulful romantic duet. In fact, there's no love interest at all. It's pure nonstop action and comedy, with a kind of freewheeling, even improvisational tone that's refreshing to watch. The movie even spoofs itself, along with other movies from The Fly to The Wizard of Oz.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the main character's transformation in The Emperor's New Groove, both physically and mentally. How do you think Kuzco's animal transformation helps him become a better person?

  • This movie about Inca culture was written and directed by White men and has no Latino voice actors. Do you think lived experience is necessary to tell an accurate, cultural story? How might the inclusion of Latino talent have influenced or changed The Emperor's New Groove?

  • Why do you think a character like Kuzco thinks all people are selfish, while a character like Pacha finds good in everyone? How do these very different characters learn to trust each other?

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