Kronk's New Groove
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Movie Reviews of Kronk's New Groove
Movie Review: Kronk won't get a "nostril flare of total rejection" from me
Summary: 4 Stars
For starters, I haven't seen The Emperor's New Groove, so I'm pretty much judging this sequel on its own merits. I liked a lot of things about Kronk's New Groove - maybe I would have enjoyed it less if I could judge it against the first movie, but maybe not. The only real negative about this one is its length - the credits start rolling after a mere 67 minutes, and that qualifies as short in my book. In a way, though, the length speaks to the whole aura of the film. Kronk's New Groove isn't about trying to impress you with the latest supercool animation techniques or framing an epic story that will be talked about for decades to come. I think it's just trying to entertain and, to some extent, deliver a wholesome message, and it does it in a fairly laid-back manner.
Kronk (Patrick Warburton) is now a chef (and, lest we forget, chief delivery boy) at a popular diner, his henchman days all in his past. He's pretty happy with his job and all of his friends there in town. Then, from out of the blue, he learns that his Papi is coming for a visit. Kronk has always dreamed of the day when his father would tell him he's proud of him - but Papi's hopes for his son involve a wife and kids and a big house on the hill (and no cooking). The kicker is the fact that Kronk actually had a house and a girl - sort of - for a while. Cue the flashbacks. First, we see Kronk get the big house on the hill after naively helping that dastardly Yzma (the still-meowlicious Eartha Kitt) with another one of her schemes. Then we watch what happens when he meets the woman of his dreams, Ms. Birdwell (Tracey Ullman) at Camp Chippamuka. Doing the right thing in the end, though, costs him both the house and the girl. So what happens when Papi finally arrives? What doesn't happen, as comic mischief ensues? If you're wondering about Emperor Kuzco, he does manage to insert himself into the film every so often - even though this movie really isn't about him at all.
There are some funny bits in this film. There's a good helping of your basic, physical humor that youngsters will like, but the jokes I enjoyed the most were ones that a lot of youngsters probably won't "get." In the case of one joke, the writer went way, way, way out of his way to deliver a grimace-worthy play on words that most folks under twenty probably won't even notice. Then there's the big dance scene with Kronk and his girl grooving to some vintage Earth, Wind, and Fire - it's just one pop culture reference after another. I loved it, but kids will probably just react to all the funny dancing going on.
Kronk's New Groove isn't going to set a new bar for animated movies, but it's a good, funny film that entertained this adult and will surely entertain the youngsters it's basically aimed at. The special features are fairly good, as well. The behind-the-scenes featurette is child-oriented, and it's pretty funny in its own right. Meanwhile, the two games, one of which puts you inside Kronk's mind, are decent and easy enough for a kid to understand and enjoy. The DVD also comes with a plethora of sneak peeks at upcoming Disney movies. Disney may not have hit a home run this time around, but Kronk's New Groove is certainly a solid double into the gap.
Movie Review: Kronk has trouble in Kronk's New Groove
Summary: 4 Stars
Kronk who was Yzma's henchman in the first movie, now gets his own movie, but don't worry there are still plenty of your favorite charaters in the first movie more or less in camero roles, or not in the big roles that they had in the first movie. Kronk's New Groove becomes one of the lastes in the long string of Disney animated movie sequels, since they brought out The Rescures Down Under in 1990. And since then there has been so many sequels, that I bet a lot of people think that are not needed. How much trouble is Kronk in well, it is not like I am saying that he is in hot water. If you remember how they opened The Emperor's New Groove,. well that is about the same way that open Kronk's New Grrove, with him being carried out by a mess of cheese. And then it goes back to earlier that day to, where he find that Kronk is working in a restaruant, that looks like the same restauratnt in the one scene in the first movie. Kronk works as head (and well) only chef in the restaurant, along with head delivery boy, which might also make him the only delivery boy, but the movie does't go that far. And I have to wonder who works as the cook, when Kronk is making his deliveries? Then Kronk (Patrick Warburton) gets a lama-grama that his Dad (John Mahoney) is coming for a visit, and wants to see his big house on the hill, and meet his wife and kids. But expect for one thing, Kronk really doesn't have any of those things that he has been telling his father in letters anymore. And he gives his sad tales of woe, that the on the house started, when he is making his usual rounds, including a stop at a senior center, where all the residents including Rudy (John Fiedler in his final role) loves him, and even donates some money to Kronk, for his big house on the hill, and from her spying Yzma (Eartha Kitt) learns that about Kronk's plane, and comes up with a business that is a formal that is supposed to the resident look younger, and he makes enoiugh money that he buys the senior home, as far as his wife, on a campting trip for the games with the junioe chipmunks, he meets the woman of his dream which is Ms. Birdwell (Tracey Ullman) that is the leader of the rival troope. And well, that is all I am going to revel of the movie, but if you don't like sequels like this, you migth be better off saving your money.Movie Review: A fine and funny movie
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very funny little film, and that's a very good thing since that's mostly what it's trying to do. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was either smiling or laughing all the way through. However, I will agree it isn't quite as good as The Emporer's New Groove because it is too beholden to the style of its predecesser.
What's that mean? It means the format of the story is quite similar including starting with our hero's lowest moment and relating how he got there in flashback. Also, there are several re-used jokes that are taken directly from Emporer. Some work, like the repeated devil and angel gags. Others seemed forced, including the appearance of the Emporer himself to interrupt the film and even draw diagrams on its still frames. They're still funny moments, but the movie would do better to stand on its own, which it does more often than not.
Also, though I am a big fan of the original, I am not particularly attached to the Emporer. David Spade did a fine job in the first film, but I actually find his character's presence in this film forced and unnecessary. If the Emporer was your favorite character, you'll be disappointed with the film. Actually, I found it refreshing that they were willing to relegate the stars to the background and allow so many minor characters to step into the spotlight. But not eveyone evidently feels the same.
Despite some brief lapses into self-referencial humor, it's chock full of gags and witty, silly dialogue. It's fun and entertaining, and that counts for a lot in this drab, dreary world. A definite must rent for any fan of Emporer or just looking for a good laugh.
Movie Review: My own "nostril flare" of approval for "Kronk's New Groove"
Summary: 4 Stars
First, I should say that I'm VERY wary of direct-to-DVD sequels. Even more than theatrical sequels they carry the heavy burden of expectation from the original film as well as the anticipated reek of greed at yet another quick & easy cash-in on our fond memories.
Thankfully, that's not the case with "Kronk's New Groove." While the film does suffer from a not-quite-fully-integrated-and-coherent plot (due mainly to the slightly confusing repeated flashback structure) and animation that's slightly second tier, I was very happily surprised to see many of the familiar elements from the first film used in ways that were appropriate for the sequel, not just a cheesy & manipulative callback to the first.
You've likely already read the other reviews and know the story. It's pretty simple, and the only complaint I have is the rather quick wrap-up at the end. Papi's arrival is somewhat anticlimactic after all the build-up, but the pop culture references are fun, the music hip-swivelin' and the characters stay true to their natures.
Had this film had the good fortune to be an A-list project, I think that the story progression could have been made more organic and feel a little less clumsy. However, given how poor most direct-to-DVD sequels are, "Kronk's New Groove" is a very welcome addition to my video groove!
Movie Review: Wacky comedy sure to please the younger audience
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie looks and sounds great. There are quite a few funny moments and it is nice to have the returning cast from Emperor's New Groove. Although the storline feels more like three TV episodes tied together, overall this is a decent outing and should definitely be enjoyed by anyone who that Kronk stole the show in Emperor's New Groove.
The movie and menus are presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. And from the get-go the whole DVD looks great. The DVD main menu is animated with Kronk running around the kitchen while the redheaded waitress presents the navigational options on an order pad. Besides an animated transition, the submenus are static although I dare say really well designed and quite beautiful. The sound design and animation really tie together nicely and really give a sense of Kronk's urgency that is apparent in the film. There are two easter eggs on the main menu that are definitely worth checking out. This is such a great touch to the usual boring menus that so many other titles receive.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone with young kids. And the parents will at least get a kick out of all the inside jokes and puns.