Review of The Emperor's New Groove (2000) by Michael F — 31 Mar 2011

Wow is there a big movement these days about New Groove being massively underrated! Admittedly when this came out I dismissed it, I thought the animation looked crude and the title suggested lots of musical pieces. For the longest time I felt the movie represented Disney's slide into mediocrity.

Do I feel differently now I've seen it? Well, a little I guess.

For a start, asides from a tiny music number at the start, New Groove has no songs. Now I wonder if it wouldn't have actually benefited from some! For the most part, this movie doesn't inspire anything. A young, selfish emperor is transformed into a llama by his wicked advisor who wants his throne for herself, and he is forced to team up with a commoner to reclaim his former self.

There are some nice, funny dialogue and there is something of a moral, but I remain resolute that the animation is subpar. It felt more like a straight-to-TV children's show than a full Disney motion picture.