A Win for the Whole Family

Rating: 9/10 (9 January 2008)

I think it's hard to review a kids movie because, ultimately, it's the opinion of the reviewer (adult) that is expressed.
I have three children and whenever we pull out our movie library for them to choose from, this one is ALWAYS among their top five choices. It never ceases to hold their attention. My kids still, after all this time, laugh out loud (and for good reason). The writing is great and they are never talked down to once.
The emperor (Kuzko) is spoiled and self-centered. Through the course of the movie he learns some great lessons about friendship, honesty, and doing the right thing and is ultimately transformed.
Yes, there are some adult themes. Murder, for example. Unlike "The Lion King" where this is handled rather "in-your-face" and darkly, the makers of this movie glide over this deftly and with a lot of humor. After all, Elmer Fudd was trying to kill Bugs Bunny, right? It is very much in this style and tradition, from dialogue to animation to music.
As for me, I love this movie. The children in the movie (Pacha's children) aren't "victims" as they are in many Disney films; they're not stupid, defenseless or in some kind of peril. They are smart, funny, and resourceful. Kuzko and Pacha are great together, but it is Yzma and Kronk that steal the show. I submit to you that these may be the funniest Disney villains of all time.
Another thing I like, that is out of character for Disney, is that this movie isn't trying to sell my children a Kuzko doll. There is very little marketing value to this movie; it's simply left to stand on its own, seemingly produced for no other purpose than to entertain.
Why only 9 stars out of 10? The movie closes w/a song performed by Sting ("My Funny Friend and Me"). The song is fine, but could not be farther out of context with the movie if they had chosen to play the Oscar Meyer wiener song. I'm at a complete loss as to why, after this fast-paced fun movie, they would want to transport the viewer immediately to an elevator or highbrow coffee shop. Kind of strange.