It is the Return of THE EMPORERS NEW GROOVE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on 4K Ultra HD, Digital and Bluray to celebrate a groovy 25^th anniversary from director Mark Dindal and Walt Disney Studios is the hilarious tale of THE EMPORERS NEW GROOVE.

In a kingdom lived Emperor Kuzco (David Spade), a very narcissistic, self-indulged ruler who only thinks of himself. He also keeps an eye on his sneaky assistant Yzma (Eartha Kitt) and her side-kick Kronk (Patrick Warburton). The emperor’s birthday is just around the corner and he knows exactly what he wants. Walking from the local village is Pacha (John Goodman), a good man who lives a simple life with his wife and children. Receiving a summons from the emperor leads him down the mountain to the palace.

Walking through the palace halls, Pacha comes face to face with Kuzco and is in shock when discovering what the summons was about. The spoiled emperor intends to take over the very hill that has been in Pacha’s family for longer than anyone can remember! Knowing there isn’t a lot he can do about it, Pacha returns home to figure out a way to tell his family.

In the meantime, Yzma has pushed her emperor too far making royal decisions without his permission. So, Kuzco decides its time to downsize and that Yzma should retire. This doesn’t go well with Yzma and she decides that its time to take steps. Relying on Kronk to help was her first mistake and at a dinner, Yzma’s plan hatches as Kuzco has gone from two legs to four! When the llama ends up in Pacha’s yard, it is time for the two to journey back to the palace and do whatever it takes to get the kingdom back.  

Spade as the voice of Kuzco is the voice I hear in my head when I think “Boom baby!” amongst other iconic lines from the film. He is sheer perfection as the narcissistic and shady emperor giving such life to this animated character. Kuzco may be those horrible things but good grief Spade gives it all such hilarity no matter how many times I see this film. Spade gets the chance to voice a character is as bad as he wants to be and it works from start to finish.

Goodman as Pacha is such a kind and loving man who just wants to take care of his family. It is a tad heart tugging when he realizes what Kuzco has in mind for his generational home. Goodman’s voice lends the opposite of the main character with compassion, even when it could have been easier to walk away with Kuzco needed help. Instead, he believes in kindness and another way, even if Yzma is hot on their trail.

Kitt as Yzma is another delicious voice in the film with her ability to bring everything crazy (both good and bad) into this character. This had to be absolute fun for her and Yzma is now an iconic Disney character that my whole family loves. Yes, she isn’t very nice but karma is waiting just around the corner for her. Warburton as Kronk, as much as we love all the characters, has a special ‘favorite’ place in our family’s heart. The scene where he is walking along the wall doing his musical Mission Impossible theme, is something we all still do. Also, who doesn’t squeakity-squeak-squeak to the local squirrel population.

Other cast include Kellyann Kelso as Chaca, Eli Linnetz as Tipo, Stephen Anderson as Ipi, Bob Bergen as Bucky, Patti Deutsch as the grub waitress and Wendie Malick as Chicha.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Special Features include Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentary, Music Videos, Featurettes: The Research Trip, Character Voices, Creating Computer Generated Images and The Emperor’s Got Game, and Theatrical Trailers for THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE.

This film is on of Disney’s stories that doesn’t get as much accolade as it should, and it absolutely should. It is fun, hilarious, charming, full of adventure, and colorful with a cast that absolutely killed it. The best part of Disney’s animated films is that watching them again and again (and again times a million) shows how wonderful we hold these stories. I have to say I’m not a fan of the Disney live-action films because it takes something special away from the artistry that comes from the animated films.

It is hard to believe that I watched THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE with my children only to have them now share with their children. Also amazing is that all of us still laugh as much now as we did when the film was released in 2000. The release in 4K UHD just brings the crispness and vibrant colors out even more and, if you have a cool large flatscreen, means you can have more people over for a Disney movie night.

Spade, Goodman, Kitt and Warburton, along with director Dindal, brought magic 25 years ago, and that magic is still being felt these years later. Gather up the family because it is time to find out what the fun is all about with a little BOOM BABY!!

In the end – it is all about HIM!

TRON: Ares Opens a New Chapter

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital this week from director Joachim Ronning and Walt Disney Pictures and coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD is the return outside the game with TRON: Ares.

There is a battle brewing in the computer world between Eve Kim (Greta Lee), the CEO of ENCOM and Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters) who is the CEO of Dillinger Systems. What these two mega-techs want is something Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges) has hidden, the Permanence Code. While Eve spends her time going through her sisters notes and computer, Dillinger has made a connection inside the digital world creating Ares (Jared Leto). Kim wants to use the code to help the world and Dillinger wants it to creates weapons that can make him millions.

Ares mission is to find the code and bring Kim to Dillinger. Bringing his team, Ares has the help of Athena (Jodie Turner-Smith) who takes directives seriously. After a chase, Dillinger manages to send Kim inside the same code as Flynn yet Ares is beginning to understand what is happening and doesn’t agree with the ‘creators’ programming. What he does want is to remain outside and see the world that he’s beginning to understand. Dillinger is furious and does something causing Athena to go after Kim and now Ares. Dillinger is unstoppable, just ask his mother Elizabeth (Gillian Anderson).

Kim team up to put a stop to Dillinger with the help of Ajay (Hasan Minhaj) and Seth (Arturo Castro) to fight against Athena. Ares goes back inside the program and meets the one person who can help get what they all want – Kevin Flynn. The fight is on as both sides become aware that this is not a normal fight!

Leto as Ares begins as a 29-minute killing machine but soon begins to experience something that isn’t part of his programming – curiosity. Taking in everything around him and meeting Kim makes it clear that the ‘creator’ Dillinger is not who he seems to be. I love that Leto’s character discovers a conscious, is awaken by the simplest of feelings (ie Depeche Mode) and has a dry sense of humor that I enjoyed. This is such a cool role for Leto playing the armored silent type who knows the game Dillinger is playing, literally.

Lee as Eve is still dealing with the death of her sister but also knows that looking for the Permanence Code means following the bread crumbs her sister left behind. Instead of freaking out at every turn, Lee takes it all in and adapts quickly to Ares’ world. This a role that has so much happening with Lee’s Eve being smart, quick and creative every step up to the final scene. Turner-Smith as Athena is angry at every turn but more-so when she sees Ares and Kim together, almost a computer jealousy deal. When Ares decides to go rogue, Turner-Smith’s Athena has no issue with taking the lead of destruction. What a fantastically ‘angry’ role that looked like it was a lot of fun to do.

Castro as Seth understands that Eve knows what needs to be done and he is her right-hand shadow. When Ares shows up, Seth’s reaction is hilarious but doesn’t stop him from getting the job done. Minhaj as Ajay has a smaller, chaotic role but he also brings about a sense of humor that is based on the madness happening around him. I loved both these guys!

Mr. Bridges, the Dude abides, returns as Flynn explaining to Ares about his choices. He hasn’t lost his swagger or his pearls of wisdom and I personally am thrilled he returned to role he first played in the summer of 1982.

Other cast include Sarah Desiardins as Erin, Cameron Monaghan as Caius and Selene Yun as Tess Kim.

Walt Disney Studios incorporates Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. There are exclusive originals with new feature films, shows, short form content, documentaries, and actions films such as the highly anticipated upcoming film THE MANDALORIAN. For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

MOVIES ANYWHERE gives viewers the ability to download the Movies Anywhere App. With that you can view films by downloading or streaming to your favorite device using a Digital Code. For more information on Movies Anywhere please visit www.MoviesAnywhere.com.

Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes (Seth’s Date, Burning Man, Lisberger Cameo), The Journey to Tron, Lightcycles on the Loose, The Artistry of Tron, Cast Conversations, and The Legacy of Tron.

It should be noted that Nine Inch Nails is responsible for the film’s soundtrack. It is punching loud and doesn’t hold back providing perfection for the action scenes. It pulsates so much that your chair is moving and your feet are being musically massaged. I have to say I actually enjoyed every bit of it. Another part of the film I enjoyed was the return of some memorable things but I’m not about to expand on that!

TRON: Ares is visually stunning and there is no doubt about that. The action is intense and it is a 119-minute eye workout. The Light Cycles are still amazing to watch and as cool as ever to watch. What is stunning is that writer Jesse Wigutow stayed true to the original story but adding a twist that the digital world finds itself in the real world. Seeing the film in IMAX is such a bonus and I can’t imagine experiencing it any other way. TRON fans will not be disappointed in the slightest.

In the end – there is no going back!