The Emperor's New Groove

Name: The Emperor's New Groove

Directed by: Mark Dindal

Screenplay by: David Reynolds

Story by: Mark Dindal Chris Williams

Based on an Original Story by: Roger Allers Matthew Jacobs

Additional Story by: Doug Frankel Mark Kennedy Mark Walton

Additional Story Material by: Stephen Anderson Don Hall John Norton

Produced by: Randy Fullmer

Executive Producer: Don Hahn

Associate Producer: Patricia Hicks

Cinematography by: Thomas Baker

Film Editing by: Tom Finan Pamela Ziegenhagen-Shefland

Production Design by: Paul Felix

Music by: John Debney

Studio: Pixar Animation Studios

Producer/Release: 20th Century Fox

Airdate: December 15, 2000

Length: 78 minutes

Budget: $100 million

Box Office: $169.3 million

Pixar Movie Number: 356

The Emperor's New Groove is a 2000 American animated buddy slapstick comedy film and 356th movie by Pixar Animation Studios. It was directed by Mark Dindal, produced by Randy Fullmer, written by David Reynolds, and stars David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton and Wendie Malick.

The film follows a teenage emperor who is transformed into a llama by his ex-advisor and henchwoman. In order for the emperor to change back into a human, he trusts a village leader who escorts him back to the palace. It was altered significantly over its six years of development and production.

It began as a musical epic titled Kingdom of the Sun, to have been directed by Dindal and Roger Allers (co-director of The Lion King), and was changed by Disney executives into a light-hearted buddy comedy. The documentary The Sweatbox details the production troubles that the film endured. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "My Funny Friend and Me" performed by Sting, but lost to "Things Have Changed" by Bob Dylan from Wonder Boys. The film was followed by a direct-to-video sequel Kronk's New Groove (2005), and an animated television series The Emperor's New School (2006).

Plot
Kuzco, a young selfish Inca emperor, rejects the appearances of potential brides and throws an elderly man out the window for "throwing off his groove." After Kuzco fires his conniving advisor, Yzma, for abusing her power, she comes up with a scheme to take the throne with the help of Kronk, her dim-witted but jovial henchman. Later, Kuzco meets Pacha, a kind peasant and village leader, and tells him that he wants to demolish his hilltop family home to build himself a lavish summer home called "Kuzcotopia". Pacha protests, but is dismissed.

Yzma and Kronk later devise a plan to assassinate Kuzco through having him drink poison at a planned supper, but end up giving him the wrong potion that instead transforms him into a llama. After knocking Kuzco out, Yzma orders Kronk to kill him and hide the body, but Kronk has a stroke of conscience and saves him. He accidentally drops him on the back of Pacha's cart as Pacha leaves the city. Pacha returns home but does not tell his pregnant wife or children about Kuzco's decision. After awakening in the cart, Kuzco reveals himself as a llama and orders Pacha to take him back to the palace, but Pacha will only do so if Kuzco agrees to spare his family's home. Kuzco haughtily sets off into the jungle alone, only to be chased by jaguars. Pacha rescues Kuzco and he promises him, as they make their way to the palace.

Meanwhile, Yzma takes the throne, but Kronk reveals that he had lost Kuzco. The two then set off to find him. Pacha and Kuzco fail to return to the palace, when Pacha falls through a bridge and Kuzco refuses to help him up, admitting he never meant to keep his promise. However, he soon finds himself in danger too, and they work together to save both of their lives. Without the bridge their journey is delayed, giving Pacha hope that Kuzco will change his mind. They stop at a jungle restaurant at the same time Kronk and Yzma do. Neither party realizes the other is there until Pacha overhears Yzma and Kronk talking about trying to kill Kuzco. However, Kuzco does not believe Pacha's warning and leaves him. Kuzco then overhears Yzma's plot and that the kingdom does not even miss him. Kuzco discovers Pacha has already left and wanders in the jungle alone. That night, Kronk learns that Pacha had brought Kuzco to the village.

A repentant Kuzco is soon reunited with Pacha, and they enlist the help of Pacha's family to keep Yzma and Kronk occupied while they escape. The race to the palace seems to end with Yzma and Kronk falling off a cliff, but they still inexplicably reach the palace first. Yzma orders Kronk to kill Pacha and Kuzco, but Kronk cannot bring himself to commit murder, which leads Yzma to insult Kronk and his cooking and resign to do it herself. Yzma calls the guards (who do not recognize Kuzco) to attack the two of them, while Pacha and Kuzco escape with all the potions in hopes that they will find the one that will turn Kuzco back to a human. After several guards are transformed into animals while testing potions and Yzma is transformed into a kitten, Pacha and Kuzco work together to try to get the last vial. Yzma steals it, but is defeated by Kronk.

Now a human again and a more selfless ruler, Kuzco decides to build his summer home elsewhere, and Pacha suggests a neighboring hilltop. In the end, Kuzco is shown living next door to Pacha's family in a modest cabin, sharing a swimming pool with Pacha and his family. Yzma, still a kitten, grudgingly joins Kronk's Junior Chipmunk troop.

Voice Cast
David Spade as Emperor Kuzco, the spoiled sarcastic 18-year-old emperor of the Inca Empire. He initially is narcissistic and pays no heed to the needs of others. However, after being transformed into a llama and bonding with Pacha, he becomes a better person.

John Goodman as Pacha, a kind, caring village leader who apparently foils Kuzco. Despite his selfishness, Pacha befriends and trusts Kuzco, and believes that Kuzco is capable of being a better person.

Eartha Kitt as Yzma, Kuzco's ex-advisor who claims that she "practically raised Kuzco". Her appearance is described as "scary beyond all reason". She is also incredibly vain, arrogant, manipulative, diabolical, and self-serving.

Patrick Warburton as Kronk, Yzma's dimwitted and muscular henchman. Despite working for her, he is very kind and good-natured. Kronk is a talented chef and has the ability to communicate with squirrels. His moral dilemmas manifest themselves in an angel and devil on his shoulders.

Wendie Malick as Chicha, Pacha's pregnant wife. She is very strong-willed, independent and intelligent. She gives birth to her third child at the film's ending.

Kellyann Kelso and Eli Russell Linnetz as Chaca and Tipo, Pacha's young, rambunctious children.

Bob Bergen as Bucky the Squirrel, Kronk's companion who has an unpleasant encounter with Kuzco and dislikes Yzma.

Tom Jones as the Theme Song Guy, Kuzco's personal theme song conductor.

Patti Deutsch as a waitress, whose name is later revealed to be Matta.

ohn Fiedler as Rudy, a kindly old man who at first angers but later befriends Kuzco.

Joe Whyte as the Royal Recordkeeper, an official in charge of finding Kuzco a bride.

Media Release

 * The Emperor's New Groove is released on VHS and DVD May 1, 2001.

DVD Main Menu

 * Start the Flick
 * Hip Scenes
 * Extra Gravy Bonus Scenes
 * Sneak Peeks
 * Tweak It with Audio and Setup
 * English
 * French
 * French (Québec)
 * Spanish (Latin America)
 * Portuguese (Brazil)
 * German
 * Danish
 * Norwegian
 * Swedish
 * Finnish
 * Hungarian
 * Icelandic
 * Italian
 * Greek
 * Bulgarian
 * Hebrew

Aspect Ratios

 * 1.85:1 (Widescreen)
 * 1.33:1 (Full Open Matte)

Intro

 * The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2 Trailer (On VHS and DVD August 28)
 * Inspector Gadget 2 on DVD and Video Trailer (Spring 2003)
 * Treasure Planet Trailer (In Theaters November 2002)
 * Monsters, Inc. Trailer (In Theaters November 2)

Ending

 * The Emperor's New Groove Motion Picture Soundtrack TV Commercial
 * 102 Dalmatians on DVD and Video Trailer

Quotes

 * The Emperor's New Groove (Quotes)