When I first saw previews for this new Disney cartoon, I thought it looked pretty stupid. I was particularly worried about the style of animation they were using. A style that reminded me of Hercules (one of my least favorite of the Disney ventures). Thankfully, this was a pretty fun time, and the kids in the audience were eating it up.

Emperor Kuzko (voiced by David Spade) gets what he wants and when he wants it. He decides that he wants to build a new castle (complete with swimming pool) on a plot of land that belongs to a decent peasant named Pacha (voiced by John Goodman). Little does Kuzko know that the evil Yzma (voiced by Eartha Kitt) is planning to dethrone the smarmy emperor. Rather than poison Kuzko, he is turned into a llama, when the potions are accidentally switched. Now, Kuzko's only hope in getting back to the world he once new, lies in the hands of Pacha, the same peasant he treated like dirt earlier in the film.

The Emperor's New Groove doesn't have the same scope of some of Disney's past efforts. It also has a bizarre sense of humor. In fact, some of it is downright eccentric. Still, this is an engaging cartoon with some wonderful animation and some really laugh out loud moments. The Emperor's New Groove is extremely lighthearted, and doesn't feature a villain so terrifying that your child will want to burrow into your lap. It's also the perfect vehicle for Spade's sarcastic style of comedy, and features a fun performance by Patrick Warburton (of Seinfeld fame) as Kronk, a sort of dumbwitted heavy who's only purpose in life is to serve Yzma.

I wouldn't rank this up with Disney's best, but I did like it more than Hercules and Pocahontas. It's also a great time for the kids. The Emperor's New Groove is fun time at the movies for all ages.