The Emperor's New Groove

By RUSSELL BAILLIE

(Herald rating: * * * )

New groove is exactly what this latest Disney animated feature doesn't have - at a late stage in the process Walt's powers-that-be decided to excise the planned score by Sting that would have made it a longer song-and-dance affair.

You can see why it might not have worked. Unlike the burly legends of The Lion King or Tarzan, the slight gagfest of The Emperor's New Groove, set in an ancient South American mountain kingdom, might have disappeared under the weight of Sting's Aztec jazz-rock.

That said, there are a couple of tunes, like Sting's Oscar-nominated My Funny Friend. Otherwise, this is a mildly amusing romp that at times can feel like an extended Roadrunner episode.

There's a fair amount of slapstick between the main characters of Pancha the pleasant peasant (Goodman), Kuzco the arrogant emperor (the whining, sardonic Spade) and his vengeful former adviser Yzma (Kitt, a clear inspiration for her animated character too).

Just as Kuzco, is about to level Pancha's village, Yzma turns the emperor into a llama (the hoofed creature, not the reincarnated wise chap of buddhism ), strands him in the jungle and angles for the throne.

Kuzco's only hope is Pancha, who, of course, is in two minds about helping the four-legged and furry royal.

Together, in Roadrunner tradition, they fall off quite a few high things but live to tell the tale. And that's done while the film winks at the adults with in-jokes while making the kids giggle at the sight gags, but only so well.

Add the thought that there's something rather unanimated about its animation, and The Emperor's New Groove may leave anyone expecting the usual Disney cartoon extravaganza feeling amused but a mite short-changed - even if they're relieved there is no Sting in its tale.

Cast: The voices of David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt

Director: Mark Dindal

Rating: G
Running time: 78 mins

Screening: Village, Hoyts, Berkeley cinemas