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Now that Uncle Walt (who would have turned 100 this year) and his far-right-wing philosophy are long gone, the animated movies produced by Disney have become edgier, with less-than-heroic heroes and humor that would never have made it on-screen twenty years ago.
Accompanied by a theme song by Tom Jones (as, what else?, Theme Song Guy), with a Vegas background that certainly fits his arrogant flamboyancy, the spoiled young Emperor Cuzco (David Spade), demonstrates his total lack of concern for anyone but himself. Yzma (and her boy-toy, Kronk the Witless) the "advisor" who wants to run the country--is a unredeemably evil witch. A female Jafar, she gets fired and then conspires to get rid of Cuzco, although the difference between them isn't readily noticeable. She plots to poison Cuzco, only her minion mixes up a dose of llama extract instead and the resultant beverage turns the Emperor into a llama instead. She is played to the evil hilt by the inimitable Eartha Kitt, who is still my favorite Catwoman. Is there an intended irony to the fact she turns into a kitten in the final last chase? It wouldn't be surprising--the movie is full of just such subtle references that will keep trivia buffs busy for months. Pacha (John Goodman) is a village leader called to the palace because Cuzco wants to have the hill his village is on--and where his family has lived for six generations--for a new summer home. The bagged Emperor lands on his cart, all unbeknownst to him. Freed once more, Cuzco accuses Pacha of kidnapping him--then spies himself in a pool of water and realizes he's a changed man, er, llama. Unaware that Yzma is the culprit, he is determined to return to the palace and get her to change him back. When Cuzco marches off into the jungle, Pacha tries to dissuade him, to no avail--no surprise. Pacha's initial reaction is to just let the snotty ruminant get his just desserts, but his good nature prevails and he sets off to the rescue. Fortunately for Cuzco, who is about to become the main course at a jaguar barbecue. There follows one disaster after another as Pacha tries to get Cuzco back to the palace and Yzma and Kronk try to track down the wandering llama to give him the coup de grace. In the process, of course, Cuzco learns the value of all the virtues he has lived so far without, but his transition from obnoxious creep to nice guy is handled without a lot of moralizing.
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The copyright of the article Inca-Dinka-Doo: The Emperor's New Groove in Science Fiction Films is owned by Elizabeth Burton. Permission to republish Inca-Dinka-Doo: The Emperor's New Groove in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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