Kronk's New Groove
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Movie Reviews of Kronk's New Groove
Movie Review: great sequel to the Emporors New Grove
Summary: 4 Stars
It is an excellent sequel to the Emperors New Grove. If you like the first one, you will like this one too.Movie Review: Can Kronk find love and parental acceptance in this direct to video movie?
Summary: 3 Stars
"Kronk's New Groove" is a direct to video sequel to Disney's 2000 animated feature "The Emperor's New Groove," and the basic rule of thumb that at best such sequels end up being one star less than the original holds true here. Kronk (voiced by Patrick Warburton), was the chef who became the less than stellar right-hand-man for Yzma (Eartha Kitt) in her attempt to become the ruler of the mythical South American empire ruled by Kuzco (David Spade). Now Kronk is in the spotlight and gets to prove that he can get into lots of trouble all by himself, as if we have any doubts on that score in the first place.
There are several entwined plot lines at work in "Kronk's New Groove." The main one turns out to be Kronk's involvement as the leader of a Chipmunk troop, where he is teaching kids to win at any cost until he meets Miss Birdwell (Tracey Ullman) and learns that maybe winning is not the only thing. Unfortunately, he fails to pass that particular lesson on to his young charges. Meanwhile, Kronk, who is relatively happy working as the head chef at his own diner, learns that his Papi (John Mahoney) is coming for a visit. Kronk has been waiting his whole life for his father to give him a sign of approval and when he looks at the life he is leading he knows it is not likely to happen this time either. As for Yzma, she is still trying to cause trouble now that she is back in (mostly) human form (the tail is a nice reminder). Everything comes together at the end as even Pacha (John Goodman) shows up for the comic resolution of everything in the requisite happy ending.
Overall, I have the strange suspicion that "Kronk's New Groove" might actually play better for adults than for children, even though the latter are clearly the target audience. That is because I think the funniest things in the movie tend to be the references to other films, from "Pulp Fiction" to "Lady and the Tramp," and kids are just not going to be able to catch everything. Plus, the romance between Kronk and Miss Birdwell might distract kids from the point about sportsmanship that the movie wants to make. Kuzco pops up from time to time to remind us that he still needs a major ego adjustment, but he is just distracting and has his own spin-off, "The Emperor's New School," coming out next year for those who like Spade in low-gear.
The DVD bonus materials are scaled down for a direct to video DVD, with "Kronk's Brain Game" and "Pyramid Scheme" checking how well you paid attention to the movie (it took me three times to beat the latter; I feel so ashamed). There is also a short featurette on "How to Cook a Movie" that provides youngsters with the basics of how a movie like this gets made. The bottom line on this one is to simply follow the lead of your children. If "The Emperor's New Groove" is one of their favorite Disney films, then they should enjoy this sequel. But if you do not already have a copy of the original, then you can forego the sequel.
Movie Review: Could Have Been Better
Summary: 3 Stars
First of all, I want to say that the original was the funniest Disney film that has come out in the past ten years (Nemo excluded but the props for that go to Pixar). However, the idea was so CRAZY! I mean, an Aztec emperor turning into a lama...come on! But it worked. Why did it work? It was FUNNY! Spade stole the show as Kuzco; he was pompus, arrogant, and hilarious. In this sequel, he is missing and you can tell.
The plot centers around Kronk. At the beginning, he's a successful chef-and delivery boy-in a resaurant. But then he gets a lamagram from his father, who never approved of his cooking love and always wanted him to have a wife and a big house on a hill. You can say this movie is split up into two parts. The first deals with Kronk getting his house on a hill. It is the only part of the movie that features Yzma. The second deals with Kronk and his "little crush." Aw... I won't tell you the end, but it's Disney so you can guess.
Now, about the humor here. There are a couple of puns and corny jokes that are funny in a cheesy. Kronk's stupidity can give a few "oh my word" chuckles. The shoulder angels are MASSIVELY overplayed. Yzma, with her catlike behaviors and tale, belonged in the whole movie. Kuzco appears 4 times. At the end, he's dressed up like a woman (hey everyone is) which gives you some humor. The other three times, he is watching the movie and commenting on certain things. Honestly, these random comments and interludes by Kuzco are the funniest parts of the entire movie. David Spade steals the show whether he wants to or not. He just does. The rest of the humor in this movie is simply overshadowed by him. In these interludes, you see the humor that this movie could have had if it had been plotted better and if Kuzco had actually played a part. Honestly, it's not just Kuzco who's placed into a random spot for the sake of being. Pacha and his family are extremely forced in the movie (even more so than Kuzco in some ways). Yzma too was forced and, as I've said, she should have been in the entire movie. And one more thing about the humor...The music in the first one was funny enough, especially for a Disney movie. The music in this one was...well...you can imagine...
Perhaps very young kids, especially those who have not seen the original movie, will enjoy this one and the sweet message it sends (do the right thing). But other kids, 9+, maybe even younger if they're intelligent, will be able to notice the low quality of this movie. Certainly 93% of everyone who have seen the original will be able to notice that it isn't as good. And if you are an adult...well, the original would have amused you but this one may leave you feeling worried about the direction of the human race.
If you haven't seen the original, then go see that one. Saying that this one pales in comparison would be giving it a compliment. If you've seen the original, RENT this. I bought it and I regret wasting my money.
Movie Review: Mildly Entertaining But Falls Short of the Infectious Humor of the Emperor
Summary: 3 Stars
`Kronk's New Groove' is made as a sequel to `Emperor's New Groove' in 2000. The original was a surprisingly good animation with wacky humor abound thanks to the great visuals and effective voice cast from David Spade, Eartha Kitt and John Goodman.
In the sequel, unfortunately however, none of them (and the characters to play) is given enough time to impress us. The above mentioned three stars come back as their original character -- as Kuzco the Emperor, Yzma now a human with a long cat-like tail, and of course Pacha, respectively -- but it is Kronk who plays the main lead of the film.
Frankly the film's story is weak and at times confusing. You can divide this short 72 minute film into two parts, none of which is interesting enough for adults. Kids might find it otherwise - I don't know for I don't have kids yet - but if you think the episodes about Kronk selling counterfeit green potion to the good old folks of the village, and one of them, believing that he is young again, suddenly take off his clothes and speaks like Golem of `LOTR'... well, if you think this is funny and interesting, it is your film. Other episodes include stern Kronk's father coming to the restaurant where Kronk works, and Kronk's sweetheart Ms Birdwell (Tracey Ullman) and how they fall in love (with a disco dance sequence). Those episodes are told in a flashback (with a flashback within flashback), which is not only confusing but also pointless.
Kronk (Patrick Warburton) is again an amusing, and very likable character, and we meet new character Ms. Birdwell in the latter half of the film. They are both so-so, but what is really disappointing is that the film fails to fully use the character of wicked Yzma, who suddenly disappears halfway through the story. And as to the Emperor's role, he is nothing but a cameo, just a meaningless spectator who is watching the entire show outside the film's story.
`Kronk's New Groove's provides some good sight gags, and the directors are obviously trying to retain the Tex Avery-like wacky fast-paced visual touch of the first film, but it is painfully clear that they need either more budget, time, or imagination.
As you know, `Emperor's New Groove' came out a winner after going through very troubled production process, in which the filmmakers had to change the story drastically. It is that kind of drastic decision that Disney really needs to take about the sequel. 'Kronk' is not bad as a whole, but falls short of the infectious feeling of joy of 'Emperor.'
Movie Review: The Results Are Just as Formulaic as the Approach
Summary: 3 Stars
Before anyone lapses into expending too many neurons on dissecting "Kronk's New Groove," it's important to remember some of your VERY basic "Hollywood Movie Assembly Line 101." First, it's a Disney sequel, which conjures up memories of "Mighty Ducks 2" and "The Return of Jafar," neither of which were strokes of cinematic brilliance. Second, it's a direct-to-video money-making concoction, which obviously doesn't have to appeal to quite the same audience or employ the same strategy for appeal as a movie that appears in theaters. Third, it's a classic case of "let's take the adorably hilarious comedy relief from the first film and, THIS time, make HIM the star," a tactic that, let's face it, almost never works.
Having said that, "Kronk's New Groove" is sufficient enough entertainment because it doesn't HAVE to be as good as the first one. No one should have been overly shocked that both David Spade and John Goodman had very brief, essentially mailed-in voice-overs in the sequel, and likely the only way either agreed to appear at all was under the condition that they didn't have to break a sweat (though Goodman probably sweats putting on his socks, but I digress and, admittedly, am just as large as he is). The plot and action are scattershot and not terrificly well thought out, as the movie tosses in a little Yzma here, a little Kuzko there, some of Ms. Birdwell (in a fitfully goofy performance by Tracey Ullman, who's funny but no Ellen DeGeneres), some of Dad, some of Pacha, a few dashes of Kronk's good and bad angels (even Pacha's middle kid gets his own good and bad angels in this one, which just goes to show too many Disney execs thought the idea was a lot funnier than it really is when played out multiple times). But on to the good points: Patrick Warburton is hysterical, the running time is easy on the daily planner, and, in maybe the most poignant statement the movie may not necessarily intend to make, the old folks and the little scamps are the funniest secondary characters in the film. You'll be disappointed if you expect too much, but hopefully after this you won't...be disappointed OR expect too much. It's funny enough throughout for all ages and, for those of us old enough to appreciate the gesture, it gives John Mahoney (Poppa Kronk) a job that, after years of toil and trial, he's earned: a nice, easy paycheck. (As Kronk himself may have said, "Easy