A fresh breath of difference

Rating: 8/10 (28 July 2001)

Most of Disney's animated films of late have been so formulaic as to make me sick. They contain the obligatory song segments, a couple of comic relief characters, the same style, similar plot devices, and usually one featured song in the middle of it all that plays in toto while some animated music video plays across the screen. Toy Story was a departure from this formula (and it was great) and The Emperor's New Groove is different too. The humor is of a different ilk than previous Disney films, that I would characterize as slightly bizzare. And partly for this reason I really enjoyed this movie. I liked the characters Pacha, voiced by John Goodman, and Kronk, who though he plays on the team of the villain is very likeable. I usually watch these movies for the benefit of children but it is nice when I can enjoy one as much as they do.