The Emperor's New Groove (2001)

This movie, made in 2000, is a classic animated movie by Disney. Set in the jungle of South America selfish, big-headed emperor Kuzco, who thinks he is simply the best, is planning on building a luxury swimming pool as a birthday gift for himself on top of the house of kind-hearted Pacha. Meanwhile he fires his power-thirsty advisor Yzma and her dim assistant Kronk who plot to kill him so Yzma can become Empress. Fortunately for Kuzco this does not go as planned and via a drink he transformed into a llama. Can Pacha help Kuzco and foil Yzma’s sinister scheme?

What stands out in this film for me is the slapstick humour as they go on a mission to turn Kuzco back into a human emperor. Several times during the movie it is interrupted by unrelated comedy sketches which adds even more laughs. Everyone will be able to laugh at the humour in this film- it won’t go over the heads of kids or adults.

Although this movie looked a bit like the Lion King in the way in which it was animated as well as the theme of animals it did not make as big a success and it does not have the same element of music, tragedy or drama. This movie would appeal to kids from 0-20 but this is a film for everyone.

I really, really enjoyed this movie and there are no deaths in it (except for a couple of flies!) I notice that loss is a classic thing for Disney. All of the main characters here are needed and I am glad that they stayed in the film! This is a ‘happy day’ movie for when you want to feel content.