Disney's New Groove

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2014)

'The Emperor's New Groove' continued an emerging tradition in new millennium Disney, straying further from the Broadway-inspired hit features that characterised the studio's output the decade prior. A satirical cautionary tale, it possibly remains one of the company's most underrated efforts.
Having had a turbulent production, it's interesting to see that the 'Emperor' which finally saw the light of day is a witty, almost cruel antithesis to all the positivity associated with the Mouse House. There are several times when the film jars so much with the Disney philosophy that it feels like it doesn't belong in an animated canon of classics including such beloved, whimsical features as 'Snow White' and 'The Lion King'. But this isn't to detract from what is a hilarious, still (somehow) family friendly feature; it's just that it is worth pondering what led to the version of 'The Emperor's New Groove' that saw release at the start of a near ten year period where the studio's successive releases rapidly declined in quality and relevance to the Disney ethos.
As hard as it is to believe, John Goodman lent his voice talent to Disney long before he played Sulley in 'Monsters, Inc', which is an excellent reminder of how this film was so quickly, and so easily, forgotten. What's most notable is the satire - the film is saturated with it - would soon be popularised by the likes of 'Shrek' as other animation studios emerged.
While a viewing for parental guidance purposes beforehand shouldn't be scoffed at, 'The Emperor's New Groove' is, by large, wholesome family entertainment, just not in the same vein as the Disney you may be familiar with.