The Emperor's New Groove
Buena Vista Pictures | Release Date: December 15, 2000 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
70
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews
Positive:
23
Mixed:
5
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
63
New York PostLou Lumenick
Refreshingly flirts with a very un-Disney political incorrectness.
80
NewsweekDavid Ansen
This is a fleet, funny family entertainment that should tickle parents as well as tykes.
91
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
A spry and appealing film that throws off comic sparks with aplomb.
80
Film.comHenry Cabot Beck
The design of the film is wonderful, the animation everything one comes to expect from a Disney picture, and the jokes fly by so fast. Read full review
90
TV Guide MagazineFrank Lovece
A comic masterpiece. Read full review
50
New York Daily NewsJami Bernard
Freewheeling and mindless. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyDavid Chute
Plotwise, the movie's groove is more like a well-worn rut. Visually, too, the movie looks half-recycled. Read full review
88
Miami HeraldChristine Dolen
Thanks to myriad animators, the characters cavort, laugh and struggle against stunning backdrops, from lush jungles to cascading waterfalls. Groovy? Absolutely.
90
Washington PostDesson Thomson
Spade and Warburton might not have made The Emperor's New Groove one of the mouse factory's all-time greatest, but they've certainly made it one of the funniest. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
When the Looney Tunes trademark came on the screen at the kiddie matinee of long ago, the kiddies would cheer in unison because they knew they were going to have unmitigated fun. The Emperor's New Groove evokes the same kind of spirit. Read full review
40
Austin ChronicleMarc Savlov
Suffers from a persistent case of narrative backsliding that only serves to make older members of the audience long for the days of the dwarves, beauties, and poisoned apples of Disney-yore, and younger ones squirm in their seats. Read full review
75
Charlotte ObserverLawrence Toppman
Why is The Emperor's New Groove Disney's funniest animated movie in years? Because it's the least like a Disney animated movie. Read full review
75
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Nobody does this stuff better than Disney, and there's plenty here to like.
50
Chicago TribuneMichael Wilmington
A bright and zippy, but alarmingly over-campy and lighter-than-fluff cartoon feature.
70
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Exciting, clever sequences driven by surprisingly little plot and culminating in a climax full of the transmogrification animation was invented for. Read full review
88
Boston GlobeLoren King
A lively, invigorating comedy: a near-perfect mix of fresh characters, well-cast voices, superb visuals, and a fast-paced, fantasy-adventure plot.
80
Dallas ObserverM. V. Moorhead
Most of it--ranges from very funny to hilarious. Read full review
63
Philadelphia InquirerDesmond Ryan
Picks up speed as it goes along and the finale is frenzied and, well, cartoonish.
83
Entertainment WeeklyLisa Schwarzbaum
Hip, funny, mostly nonmusical, decidedly non- epic family picture. Read full review
75
USA TodaySusan Wloszczyna
The goofiest, giddiest and, yes, grooviest animated trip since Aladdin unbottled its genie. Read full review
70
TimeRichard Corliss
Doesn't aim too high or strain too hard; it is at ease inhabiting its pretty, miniature realm. Read full review
60
TNT RoughCutAndy Klein
Pretty hysterical.
80
VarietyRobert Koehler
Light, taut and compact, the zippy adventure is sometimes much too hip for the room. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChroniclePeter Stack
This oddball comedy may be one of the brightest, funniest pieces of entertainment of the season. Read full review
70
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Exhibits a cheeky effervescence and spunk. Read full review
90
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
A delightful, effervescent morality tale for children conveyed with such wit and sophistication that adults are likely to be enchanted as well. Read full review
91
Mr. ShowbizCody Clark
This joyous romp is no mere new groove, it's a live wire -- 110 volts of pure holiday cheer.
90
Washington PostRita Kempley
A hip, hilarious new animated feature. Read full review
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