Emperor's New Groove

Theatrical Release Date: 2000 12 15 (USA)

UPC: 786936688368

Studio: Walt Disney Video

MPAA Rating: G   Contains:[Excellent For Children]

Summary: A ruler learns how the other half lives -- the animal half, that is -- in this animated comedy-adventure from the Walt Disney Studios. Kuzco (voice of David Spade) is the young emperor of an Inca nation who takes a self-centered joy in the troubles of others. Not surprisingly, Kuzco's attitudes have earned the enmity of many of his subjects, including Yzma (voice of Eartha Kitt), a sorceress who wants to seize power away from the emperor after he relieved her of her royal duties, declaring she was too old and unattractive to do the job. Yzma and her musclebound assistant Kronk (voice of Patrick Warburton) hatch a plan to poison Kuzco and take the throne, but thanks to a mistake on Kronk's part, Kuzco isn't killed -- he's instead turned into a talking llama. Kronk can't bring himself to kill the llama, and instead sends the former emperor into the jungle to fend for himself. Kuzco doesn't do too well as a llama until he runs into Pacha (voice of John Goodman), a poor farmer whose property Kuzco once planned to take over for a vacation home. Soft-hearted Pacha agrees to help the emperor-turned-llama find his way back home where, hopefully, another sorcerer can reverse the spell, but once they hit the road, they discover Yzma and Kronk are looking for them, with Yzma determined to finish the assassination she started. Pop star Sting composed several original songs for The Emperor's New Groove, which during its long and troubled production had previously been announced as Kingdom in the Sun and Kingdom of the Sun. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Category: Children's/Family

Awards: Best Original Song – null Best Song – Broadcast Film Critics Association Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Song – Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Best Original Song – Hollywood Foreign Press Association

Features: Deleted scenes
The Emperor's Got Game: Help Kuzco get from Pacha's house back to the castle
Rascal Flatts Music Video: Learn to "Walk the Llama Llama," as featured on The Emperor's New Groove soundtrack
Sting's Making the Music Video: Featuring the Academy Award-nominated song "My Funny Friend and Me"
Behind the Scenes: A fast-paced tour of how the film was made
Audio commentary with the filmmakers

Emperor's New Groove

Format: DVD

Release Date: 10/18/2005

Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Vistavision

Audio: DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 78 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,French

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: Disc #1 -- The Emperor's New Groove
1. "The Name Is Kuzco" [1:24]
2. Main Title ("Perfect World") [2:30]
3. Choosing a Bride [:35]
4. Pacha Arrives At the Palace [1:00]
5. The Emperor's Advisor [2:38]
6. Kuzcotopia [2:24]
7. Yzma's Revenge [:58]
8. "To The Secret Lab!" [1:18]
9. A Diabolical Dinner [4:21]
10. Finishing the Job [2:59]
11. Pacha Returns Home [3:35]
12. Demon Llama! [3:19]
13. Into the Jungle [2:03]
14. Pacha to the Rescue [4:51]
15. The Transition of Power [1:47]
16. Bad Dreams [:40]
17. An Apparent Change of Heart [1:53]
18. Battle At the Bridge [5:31]
19. In Hot Pursuit [2:38]
20. Mudka's Meal Hut [6:32]
21. A Llama Alone [1:03]
22. Good News [:57]
23. Friends, Finally [:13]
24. Playtime At Pacha's [2:05]
25. The Chase [3:16]
26. The Final Showdown [1:05]
27. A Whole New Groove [8:08]
28. End Credits ("My Funny Friend and Me") [2:19]

Derek Armstrong

The Emperor's New Groove was a curious anomaly for Disney; released in December, outside of the studio's regular blockbuster-per-summer schedule, without much fanfare or marketing muscle. It wasn't a very kid-friendly sell, almost totally lacking in cute animals and songs, and it stars a supercilious, bratty emperor (voiced by David Spade, natch) who repents his awful behavior far more gradually than your average reformed cartoon character. These characteristics undoubtedly contribute to its refreshing, adult-oriented charm, but what really distinguishes the film is not its story or dialogue, which are only mid-level clever. The grooviest thing is its angular, impressionistic animation, which is reminiscent of the studio's version of Hercules, but on acid. From the bat-like sorceress cackled by Eartha Kitt to the square-jawed numbskull voiced innocently by square-jawed Patrick Warburton, the animators delve deeply into their twisted side, using wild brush strokes to match drawings to character traits. The never-named setting and its landscapes are also replete with gnarled, jutting beauty. The film moves along quickly on a loopy succession of set pieces more than a developing story, and it doesn't need songs to bridge them, although Sting had written some that were mostly scrapped to his great displeasure when Disney decided to take the film in another direction. Despite a troubled production that featured periods when it might have been given a hip-hop edge, The Emperor's New Groove emerges as a sophisticated achievement in animation and one of Disney's more original films. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Cast and Crew: John Debney  Composer (Music Score) 
Mark Dindal  Director 
Randy Fullmer  Producer 
Don Hahn  Executive Producer 
David Reynolds  Screenwriter 
Sting  Composer (Music Score) 
David Hartley  Composer (Music Score) 
David Spade  Actor 
John Goodman  Actor 
Eartha Kitt  Actor 
Patrick Warburton  Actor 
Wendie Malick  Actor 
Kellyann Kelso  Actor 
Eli Russell Linnetz  Actor 

Country: USA