Ahead of it's time, it's "Shrek" a year earlier.

Rating: Null/10 (22 May 2004)

"The Emperor's New Groove" is your anti-Disney film produced by Disney itself.
In 1997 Disney tried to release a comedic animated film, "Hercules" turned out to be a disaster, it wasn't your typical Disney movie, it was WORSE than a typical Disney movie.
In 2001, DreamWorks released what is considered to be the anti-Disney animated film, "Shrek" was an hilarious irreverent take on the animated genre as known back then.
But in 2000, there was an animated film that was probably the most underrated animated film of all time, "The Emperor's New Groove" is more original than Shrek as it doesn't venture into the typical story book setting. It goes into ancient South America, it's about an arrogant, nasty, horrible Aztec Emperor Kuzko (David Spade) who wants to build a beach resort on top of a hill occupied by a lama herder named Paca (John Goodman) and his entire family. Kuzco offers him the opportunity to find a new place to live before he knocks down his house. All during this time, one of his advisers (Eartha Kitt) secretly plots to kill him so she can take his throne. When her assistant grabs the wrong potion, it turns Kuzco into a Lama. Now Kuzco must convince the angry Paca to help him turn back into a human and gain back his throne.
"The Emperor's New Groove" spoofs Disney films in each and every way. David Spade plays what he does best, an arrogant, whiny jerk. John Goodman plays a great side kick. And Eartha Kitt, if she had a mustache would be twirly it, as she plays one of the best stereotype villains of all time. This film is filled with hilarious popculture references, and funny gags, it manages to make adults laugh just as loud with their kids with out resorting to use dirty humor (ala Shrek) It's a great movie for the entire family and good treat for people who like to see Disney get spoofed!
8/10 If you like the "Shrek" movies, "The Emperor's New Groove" will tickle your fancy, just remember "Groove" did it first.