One of The Funniest Disney Films Ever

Rating: Null/10 (15 August 2006)

"The Emperor's New Groove" could've really soared back when it hit theaters in 2000. Disney was shattered by how "Fantasia/2000" performed and not pleased with the critical reception "Dinosaur" received (being one of their worst films).
Throughout the 90s, the Disney films were a return to form, but they also pandered to children, something Walt Disney was against. "Dinosaur" was pandering at its worst, but "The Emperor's New Groove" is a breath of fresh air compared to the 90s Disney films. Most of the 90s Disney films are great, but this film is near-perfect.
"The Emperor's New Groove" is a funny, joyous adventure that doesn't try to be anything it's not. It went through a lot in its early stages, and it finally turned out to be step away from the big Disney musicals. The film has an odd plot, which is why it succeeds. The film had the chance to score with audiences, if it weren't for the poor marketing. It could've soared past $100 million domestically, but it didn't. It could've convinced Disney to go in a different direction.
Thankfully, "The Emperor's New Groove" never gets old. The character animation is fabulous, and the film functions more like a feature-length cartoon than a film. It has a Warner Bros. style, but that's not a bad thing. The characters are all likable and hilarious to boot. The humor is witty and it's almost devoid of pop culture jokes that somewhat littered the previous Disney films. (DreamWorks is good at doing that now, but they got that from the 90s Disney films) Kuzco and Pacha are a great duo, and the relationship between them is actually developed and not contrived in any way. Yzma is an outrageous villain that recalls the crazier female Disney villains like Cruella De Vil and Madam Medusa. Her sidekick Kronk, has a heart and just can't be a villain, which makes him all the more funny. "The Emperor's New Groove"'s visual style is unpretentious and great, as it has a more loose film from the other Disney films. Take the jungles for example. The trees have odd shapes, unlike the realistic trees in "Tarzan". Some of the animals in the film have a unique style, like a pack of jaguars that give chase to Kuzco early on in the film. It's all great.
A 9.8 out of 10. A near-flawless Disney film.