The Disney Renaissance, which lasted from the release of The Little Mermaid in 1989 to the premiere of Tarzan in 1999, is still regarded as one of the greatest eras in animation history. During this period, Disney released films that contained Broadway-style musical numbers, romanticized stories, and whimsical animations. So when The Emperor’s New Groove, which contained none of these elements, headed to the big screen in 2000, critics were understandably wary.
Nevertheless, while the emperor-turned-llama comedy underperformed at the box office, it has remained a fan favorite. That being said, not every detail of the film makes total sense. We’re here to focus on the little issues right now.
Before diving into things, it’s worth noting that yes, we’re going to get picky. The Emperor’s New Groove is full of nonsensical moments, and the film is fully aware of it (which is part of The Emperor’s appeal). Regardless, what's the harm in searching for the film's "flaws?"
It’s time to hop back a couple of decades and head to this Incan empire. Here are ten things that don’t make sense about The Emperor’s New Groove.
How Is Kuzco The Narrator?
Kuzco frequently breaks the fourth wall to narrate The Emperor's New Groove. While this could happen in theory, there are many scenes in which he is unconscious; He shouldn't be able to relay the events which occurred during this period to the audience.
If someone had later told Kuzco what happened when he wasn't around, he could have ended up with a complete story. However, it is revealed that Kuzco is relaying his narrative while still a llama in the jungle, far before he would have had the chance to get filled in on the details he missed.
An Old Man Is Thrown Out Of A Window And Lives
Okay, so technically, there is one big opening number in which Kuzco explains his luxurious life with help from his theme song guy. Midway through the song, however, the emperor bumps into an old man named Rudy and informs him that he threw off his groove. This causes the palace guard to toss Rudy out a multi-story high window.
We see the old man again later, hanging from a banner that somehow cushioned his fall. Nope, he shouldn't have survived that.
Why Does Yzma Even Have A Secret Lab?
It’s no secret that Yzma has a secret lab. In fact, Kuzco himself knows about it and tries to convince Pacha to take him there after he's turned into a llama.
That being said, why does Yzma even have a secret lab in the first place? Why would Kuzco allow this to exist underneath his palace? Even if the emperor had no problem with the lab while Yzma was employed at the palace, you'd think he'd have forced her to get rid of it after he fires her.
How Does Kuzco Not Realize He’s Being Turned Into A Llama?
Yzma invites Kuzco to a dinner, where she hopes to poison his drink. Unfortunately for her, Kronk accidentally puts llama potion in the beverage, causing Kuzco to turn into one.
The transition is gradual: his ears get bigger, his neck grows longer, and his hands change into hooves. It’s strange, however, that Kuzco doesn’t realize that he’s transforming into a creature. Sure, he’s busy talking. But is he really that oblivious?
How Does Yzma Accidentally Mix Up The Llama Potion With The Poison?
After scrapping her plan to turn Kuzco into a bug she could smash, Yzma decides to kill him by poisoning his drink at dinner, as mentioned. However, after the transformation takes place, she realizes the potion's skull label is actually a llama one.
How does Yzma not realize this earlier? You’d think that if she were doing something as huge as murdering the emperor, she would have been more careful about taking him out properly.
Pacha And Kuzco Successfully Scale A Cliffside
Pacha and Kuzco are forced to cross a rickety bridge in order to return to the palace. However, the bridge ends up collapsing, which sends the two plummeting toward the crocodile-filled waters below.
Pacha and Kuzco end up getting stuck between the rocks before reaching the bottom and determine that if they press into each other and walk upward, they’ll be able to get back to safety at the top. While we’ve never tested their climbing strategies ourselves, it’s unlikely it would work well. The physics don’t add up.
No One Realizes Kuzco’s Not A Woman
Pacha and Kuzco arrive at the local diner, Mudka’s Meat Hut, only to discover a sign that doesn’t allow llamas inside. Thankfully, the guys have an idea; Kuzco disguises himself as a lady and sneaks in.
Pacha pretends he and girl-Kuzco are on their honeymoon together. The waitress knows they don't make a cute couple, but really, could she not figure out Kuzco was a llama? Was the disguise that difficult to see through?
How Does Yzma Beat Kuzco To The Secret Lab?
Yzma and Kronk later race Kuzco and Pacha back to the secret lab.
The chase is intense, and though it seems Kronk and Yzma are about to make a comeback, they end up getting struck by a lightning bolt and lagging behind. However, when Kuzco and Pacha finally get to the lab, they discover Yzma and Kronk somehow beat them.
Confused, the pair questions how this Yzma got there first. Kronk pulls down a map showing their paths to the palace, and to quote the guy, “By all accounts, it doesn’t make sense.”
Why Are The Guards Unfazed After Being Turned Into Animals?
Yzma gets Kuzco’s guards to chase after him and Pacha, convincing the men that the pair murdered the emperor; the guards don’t recognize Kuzco in llama form.
In order to stop the guards from coming closer, Pacha knocks a table of potions at them, thereby transforming them into various animals.
It shocked Kuzco when he found he was turned into a llama, so why are the guards not surprised or concerned by their new forms? The guard who is turned into a cow even asks to go home, but really, does he not want to find a way to become human first?
Why Isn’t Yzma Imprisoned?
Kuzco drinks the last of the human potion, leaving Yzma to remain a cat.
As the film wraps up, we see her reluctantly participating in Kronk's squirrel scouts. While this is better than letting Yzma run totally free, why does Kuzco not do more to prevent Yzma from causing future havoc on the kingdom? Shouldn't she be imprisoned? She tried to murder the emperor, after all.