An entertainment for the younger generation, animated characters in a live action story.
But, it will be nostalgic joy for older audiences who grew up with Loony Tunes characters. Loony Tunes first screened in the 1930s, with some of the characters introduced during the 1940s – they have had a long life, Wile E. Coyote chasing the Roadrunner for decades, the Roadrunner never caught, Wile E. Coyote experiencing all kinds of mishaps and physical disasters!
We are very lucky to be able to see this film because Warner Brothers decided to shelve the film in 2022, opting not to release it and using it as a tax write-off instead. For those interested in the studio machinations and the effect of not releasing the film, there’s plenty of information if you search online.
The screenplay is based on an article, a comic fantasy, taking the part of Coyote, and the decision to sue the Acme company for all its inventions that physically landed on Coyote and the premise being that the company, a large corporation with sinister intrigue, is testing out its inventions for later human use by seeing how they work on the cartoon characters!
While Coyote does go along with the idea of the court case, his plan is to have Roadrunner appear as a witness – and then finally catch Roadrunner in the court room with his imagination ticking over, roasted chicken!
And this is where the live action comes in. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, a genial lawyer played by Will Forte, his loyal niece working with him, a sympathetic staff not particularly financially well off, takes up the case. Facing them is the smarmy corporate lawyer played by John Cena and his toady associate played by P.J. Byrne. Unscrupulous.
A lot of the enjoyment, especially for the older audiences, is that various cartoon characters take up a variety of roles within the live action. Poor Tweety Bird is being blackmailed to act as a stand over force (unlikely as that sounds and looks). In the court, there is Leghorn, big and boastful, supporting the Acme company. And who is acting as the Senator presiding over the government hearing but, Elmer J. Fudd!
Daffy Duck turns up a number of times with testimony. But, just when we are wondering whether Bugs Bunny will ever appear, he turns up to give background information of the case, later appearing when all is successful.
Interesting that the filmmakers have decided to have Wile E. Coyote as the main character, as he was traditionally the target of fun in the cartoons with his pursuits of the Roadrunner. Audiences are always amazed at the spectacular speed of the Roadrunner’s escapes and entertained by the number of crisis situations that Coyote finds himself in, so frequently falling from great heights onto the desert roads. But, spoiler alert, there is a possibility for some kind of reconciliation between Coyote and Roadrunner – even if the reconciliation means cartoons with the chases and disasters ad infinitum!
It’s the cartoon characters, of course, that attract the audience. However, there is quite a lot of live-action, a sympathetic Will Forte trying his best to cope with the legal situations, the hostile adversaries and the fluctuating levels of cooperation from Coyote.
So probably a thank you from happy audiences (and boos to the executives who shelved the film originally), appreciation for the companies who were able to get the rights, distribute the film, and provide us all with a happy ending.
Currently showing at Palace Cinemas, Balwyn
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