The Emperor’s New Clothes
The Emperor’s New Clothes

Movie spotlight

The Emperor’s New Clothes

2016
Movie
78 min
Mandarin

The film tells the story of the Little Emperor of the Animal Fashion Kingdom, who asks for a costume design competition with the theme of "The Emperor's New Clothes" when he takes office. When the animals in the Fashion Kingdom hear the news, they all join the competition, and all of them think that they can design clothes that will satisfy the Emperor. The students of the Fashion Academy of the Fashion Kingdom naturally could not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. By chance, a pair of brats, Pants and Sis, who failed their exams, blend into the royal palace. After causing a scene in the palace, they accidentally win the title of "Star Designer".

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes33%
Metacritic44/100
Google Users70%
Director: Gavin MillardGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

In this satirical comedy, a disgraced, once-powerful businessman is sentenced to spend a year in prison for fraud. Inside, he encounters a range of characters and reflects on his past life of luxury and excess. The film uses the familiar fairy tale to comment on wealth, power, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed to negative reviews, with many critics finding its satirical points heavy-handed and its humor often falling flat. Some acknowledged the ambition of its premise and the performance of its lead, but the overall consensus leaned towards disappointment.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film's satirical intentions are clear but often fail to land effectively.

  • Richard Griffiths delivers a commendable performance, but it's not enough to save the film.

  • The narrative feels disjointed and lacks the sharp wit expected from its premise.

Google audience: Audience reviews show a divided opinion, with some appreciating the dark humor and the commentary on wealth, while others found the film to be tedious and unfunny.

Fun Fact

This film was one of the final projects for veteran actor Richard Griffiths, who passed away in 2013 before its release.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review