Review by Jon Donnis
Live-action films featuring animated characters have become something of a rarity, which makes Coyote vs. Acme a welcome return to a style of filmmaking that gave us Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Directed by Dave Green, this comedy brings the Looney Tunes characters into the human world, combining their familiar antics with a story about corporate greed, justice and friendship. It is a clever use of characters who have spent decades entertaining audiences, and one that gives Wile E. Coyote a long-overdue chance to fight back.
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After years of failed attempts to catch the Road Runner, Wile E. decides to take Acme Corporation to court. Its seemingly endless supply of gadgets and explosives has left him battered and bruised, and he wants the company held responsible. His lawyer, Kevin Avery, played by Will Forte, is a struggling personal injury attorney who would prefer to settle the case rather than risk taking on a corporate giant. Wile E., however, has no intention of giving up without a fight.
The premise is inspired. Treating Wile E.'s familiar misfortunes as a legitimate personal injury claim turns one of the longest-running jokes in cartoon history into the basis for a courtroom comedy. Acme has always been responsible for supplying the equipment behind his spectacular failures, so putting the company on trial feels like a natural extension of the original cartoons.
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Forte is well cast as Avery, a lawyer whose professional disappointments have left him reluctant to take risks. His growing partnership with Wile E. provides much of the film's appeal. The coyote has never lacked determination, even when his plans end in disaster, while Avery needs to rediscover his confidence. Their contrasting personalities create some entertaining exchanges, but their relationship also gives the story an emotional foundation.
John Cena plays Buddy Crane, Acme's corporate lawyer and Avery's former rival from Harvard Law School. Confident and polished, Buddy represents a company with far greater resources than the small legal firm challenging it. Cena makes an effective opponent for Forte, and their professional rivalry adds some bite to the courtroom scenes.
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Lana Condor plays Paige Avery, Kevin's niece and an intern at the firm, while Tone Bell and Martha Kelly appear as fellow partners Sal Maltese and Dottie Jones. The animated cast includes Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Granny and Foghorn Leghorn. These familiar faces are given proper roles in the story rather than being reduced to brief appearances designed purely to please fans.
The animation is one of the film's greatest achievements. The characters fit naturally into the live-action environment, and the contrast between cartoon logic and the human world provides much of the comedy. The film understands that Looney Tunes does not need to abandon its absurdity to tell a more substantial story. Explosions, elaborate traps and spectacular mishaps remain part of the fun, but they now have consequences that can be argued over in court.
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It is arguably the best combination of live action and animation since Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The effects serve the characters and the comedy, rather than becoming a distraction in their own right. For anyone who grew up watching Looney Tunes, there is plenty to enjoy, but the film does more than rely on nostalgia. It finds a fresh use for these characters while retaining the humour that made them popular.
Beyond the cartoon chaos, Coyote vs. Acme takes aim at corporate greed and the difficulties faced by those challenging powerful organisations. The legal battle gives the story a clear purpose, and the idea of a corporation avoiding responsibility for the damage caused by its products feels particularly well suited to Acme. The satire is broad, as you would expect from a Looney Tunes film, but it gives the comedy an extra layer without weighing it down.
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Friendship and perseverance also feature prominently. Wile E.'s determination is central to his character, but his obsession with catching the Road Runner can complicate his relationships with others. His partnership with Avery brings that contradiction into focus. The film finds humour in Wile E.'s stubbornness while allowing room for a more thoughtful look at what keeps him going.
The main weakness is the pacing. At around 100 minutes, the film feels slightly long, and some sections of the legal proceedings and investigation could have been tightened. The story occasionally loses momentum as it moves between the comedy and its more serious themes. It is not enough to spoil the experience, but a shorter running time would have helped keep the film moving.
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Nevertheless, Coyote vs. Acme delivers exactly the kind of inventive cartoon comedy its premise promises, while giving its characters a story worth following. The animation is excellent, the performances work well together, and the central idea is both funny and surprisingly effective.
I loved the film. It brings back the live-action and animation combination that made films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit so memorable, while giving Wile E. Coyote a fresh reason to be at the centre of the action. The pacing could be sharper, but this is a thoroughly enjoyable comedy with plenty of humour and heart.
I score Coyote vs. Acme a solid 9 out of 10.
Out Now on Digital
Apple TV - https://apple.co/4ejcBu4
Prime Video - https://link.amazon/B043s0eXK
