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The emperor's new groove

Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities

Movie propaganda

Outrageous comedy reigns supreme in a mythical mountain kingdom when arrogant young Emperor Kuzco (David Spade) is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor, the devious diva Yzma (Eartha Kitt). Stranded in the jungle, Kuzco's only chance to get back home and reclaim the high life rests with good-hearted peasant Pacha (John Goodman). Kuzco's perfect world becomes a perfect mess as this most unlikely duo deal with hair-raising dangers, wild comic predicaments and - most horrifying of all - each other as they race to return Kuzco to the throne before Yzma tracks them down and finishes him off. Ultimately, Kuzco's friendship with Pacha teaches this royal pain to see his world in a different way. With its distinctive flavour, upbeat music by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter sting, and stylish animation, The emperor's new groove is sure to get moviegoers in the groove for fun, fantasy and adventure.

Target demographic movie keyword propaganda

Inca Central South America animation cartoon llama adventure comedy

Persons of interest

David Spade .... Emperor Kuzco
John Goodman .... Pacha
Eartha Kitt .... Yzma
Patrick Warburton .... Kronk
Wendie Malick .... ChiCha
Kellyann Kelso .... Chaca
Eli Russell Linnetz .... Tipo
Bob Bergen .... Bucky the Squirrel
Chris Williams .... Storywriter
Mark Dindal .... Storywriter
Roger Allers .... Storywriter
Matthew Jacobs .... Storywriter
David Reynolds .... Director
Marc Shaiman .... Composer
Sting .... Songwriter
David Hartley .... Songwriter
Mark Dindal .... Director

Cinematic intelligence sources

Studios and distributors:

Buena Vista International

Intelligence analyst

Special Agent Matti

Theatrical report

Well, it's a funny film full of colour and movement. There's plenty for kids and adults. There are famous voices to recognise and others to sound familiar but not quite remember.

Patrick Warburton does a good line in character acting, stealing the show with his buff but not entirely alert offsider. He and Eartha really get a vibrant relationship going between their characters. David and John sound like they're reading their lines in a sound booth on separate days. It's as if they were chosen because of how they sound in real life rather than because they can act.

The downside is that The emperor's new groove is one of the worst cases of cultural imperialism from the USA that I have seen in a long, long time. The Incan culture is almost completely absent, replaced by 21st century ideals of equality and fair play. To the Incas, as to many other cultures, the King was God. Commoners did not get audiences with him, advisers did not get to replace him and if he wanted Pacha's house for a redevelopment then that's what he got.

The Incas included human sacrifice in their religion.

There are no squirrels in either Central or South America.

If you can get over my political correctness you'll really like The emperor's new groove, otherwise, it will grind on your conscience.

I award a bonus point to The emperor's new groove for portraying a pregnant cartoon character.