Male

# 4: The male characters have one of two predetermined roles in a movie: to be used in connection with the love story, or to provide a comedic role. Its because of this that the goofy sidekicks are never female.


The Emperor's New Groove (2000) is the story of a full-of-himself Meso-American emperor named Kuzco. It is one of the first films that goes in a different direction than most of the films Disney produced in the 1990s - its animated, but not a musical. All fun and there is no real love story involved. Music is only used to establish setting or provide atmosphere.
Kuzco believes that he is the greatest and does not care for the feelings of others. After he fires his royal advisor Yzma, she plans to get kill him and become the empress. However, he turns into a llama and with her loyal companion Kronk sets out to find him and kill him once and for all.


Kuzco is extremely sure of himself. He was spoiled as a child and continues to spoil himself at the expense of everyone else. This includes throwing an elderly man out of a high window for 'throwing off his groove'. A few women are placed in a line for him to pick a wife from - he rejects them all mostly based on a small flaw in their appearance. This seems to be one of the Disney films where the characters seem to be based more on the people voicing them. David Spade, who is Kuzco, performs as what he is known for (his personality as a comedian) even as an animated character. Kuzco maintains his selfishness as a llama, until he learns (with help from Pacha) that nobody likes him and he needs to start caring about other people.


Yzma is the villain. While she is skinny and old (like Cruella) she still maintains the feminine hourglass shape. Yzma is evil personified, and will do anything to rule the empire, some of which she does behind Kuzco's back, which is what gets her fired. Then she realizes that if she kills Kuzco, she could rule like she wants. The male characters in this movie consider Yzma disgusting - mainly because of her age (and wrinkles). One time as she confronts Kuzco and Pacha, she slowly hikes up the bottom of her dress as they scream out in horror. When they see that a jagged dagger is strapped to her bony thigh, they sigh in relief. Because she has lost all of her 'glory' (or beauty) she is cranky and bossy to everyone else. What makes her evil is her appearance, which is the opposite of the Disney heroine: her chest sags, she's scrawny, has big bulging eyes and nasty yellow teeth. Since she's ugly, she has to play the evil female role.


Kronk is the dopey sidekick that seems to mess everything up. Most of the comedy involving Kronk stems from homosexual stereotypes compared to his appearance - he is very built, with a deep voice, and represents a typical prince. However, he likes to cook (spinach puffs are his specialty), go bird-watching, dance, skip, and other 'girly' things. He gets worried when his food is burning, and complains about his weak ankles. He is a very funny character because though he looks tough, he's really a sissy because he assumes the female role. Even the 'bad' side of his conscience (the Christian ideology: angel on the left, devil on the right) makes cracks about how the 'good' one wears a dress and carries a 'sissy stringy music thing'. The angel gets insulted that he's suggesting he's feminine - he says its a HARP and insists its a robe, not a dress.


Pacha is the kind villager. No matter how bad Kuzco treats him or how many times he lies to him, he still believes that everybody has a bit of good in them. Because Pacha refuses to give up on Kuzco (he has to lead him back to the capital so Kuzco can get free of his llama form) Kuzco manages to have a heart and help him when he's in trouble. Pacha assumes the other role typical of big Disney characters: simple and kind. He has a pregnant wife and two kids and all he really cares about is supporting his family, whereas Kuzco wants to build his summer home right on top of Pacha's house. His wife, one of the lesser female characters in the movie, still assumes the homemaker role: when she gets upset, she sighs and says 'I have to wash something.' Thus the tradition continues.


In conclusion, The Emperor's New Groove represents a new genre in Disney films - the animated comedy. Instead of getting a love story accompanied by Academy Award-winning songs, these films are just for fun. But even without the love story predetermining the roles of the helpless maiden and the charming prince, the gender roles stay within the company norm.


Part V: Hubba hubba

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