The “Super Carlin Brothers” are two of my favorite people and, in my mind, they are friends of mine. (I mean we do live in the same state.) The Emperor’s New Groove is one of my favorites and it does not get the respect it deserves. The movie had Eartha Kitt as the villain! I mean C’MON! A whole legend is in a kid’s movie, but I can get how this movie could be overlooked.
Movies like Shrek and The Emperor’s New Groove are special to kids like me, and you maybe. Kids who were 50 in their mind and actually got some of those adult references because I spent A LOT of time around older people. About a month ago, I rewatched this on Disney+ with my best friend and it was just as funny as when I saw it the first time. I mean Kuzco had his own theme song guy. Side note: why did his theme song guy look like he belonged in the 60’s or 70’s? Where did he get those clothes from? Where did they get him from?
You want to know the genius of this movie? It made me think as a kid, “Who is the real villain here, Kuzco or Ezma?” Ezma was trying to kill Kuzco and take over the throne (The Super Carlin Brothers also have a video about why she might have wanted to dethrone Kuzco. Go to their page to check that out.) but Kuzco wanted to destroy a whole town for a summer home/theme park? But in order to save his home and to keep his wife from assaulting people, Pacha decided to help Kuzco, who he really didn’t know if could fully trust. Pacha was the real hero and Kronk….listen. I don’t know if I’ve met a character that was so…simple that was so funny. At some point in your life, you can see yourself in Kronk. You’ve ran into the kitchen because some recipe you were experimenting with smelled like it was burning and you’ve been somewhere humming your own theme song.
Also, I take a liking to movies that break the fourth wall and this movie does that A LOT. David Spade is hilarious as Kuzco and for as long as I live, he will always be Kuzco.
Last but not least, I will leave you with the classic scene that we all know and love…
It didn’t make sense then but now I understand why they had that lever. What I want to know now is how Ezma forgot why they had that lever. Girl, this is YOUR LAB. Didn’t you have the entrance designed? I digress.
BLACK WATCH 