Everybody loves sequels right? Disney seemed to think so in
2005 when it released Kronk’s New Groove,
sequel to The Emperor’s New Groove. All
the original voice actors reprise their roles, with new voices by John Mahoney
and Tracey Ullman.
Kronk (Patrick Warburton) is now working as a chef in the
diner seen in the previous film. No longer Yzma’s (Ertha Kitt) henchman, he’s
loved by everyone and he loves his life. However, when he gets a letter that
says his father is coming, he recounts how he used to have a girlfriend (Ullman)
and a house on a hill just like his father wanted. But now, he doesn’t and
fears the disapproval of his father.
The Emperor’s New
Groove had some pretty decent fourth wall jokes. This film realizes that
and tries to milk them for all they’re worth, including Kuzco just showing up
and revealing the theatrical poster of the first film and the DVD cover of this
film. And they’re hardly funny.
Kronk’s goal is also just inane, looking for a thumbs up
from his father. And while he gets it, the way it’s teased is just so banal.
The pacing is also completely terrible, making a film that’s
only 70 minutes long feel like it’s taking forever. When a direct to video
sequel feels like it’s taking the same amount of time films like Birth of a Nation and Gone with the Wind take, that’s just
asking for the toddlers that this is marketed to stop paying attention.
However, there are some good jokes, mainly due to Warburton’s
deadpan style of delivery. Imagine him sneaking around and seeing someone pound
a mound of dough and Warburton whispering “she’s pounding me in effigy” to
himself. But with every good joke, there’s dozens of bad ones, which really doesn’t
help the pacing.
#104
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