Coyote Vs. Acme

 

           If you grew up watching Looney Tunes cartoons, this new film will be nostalgic nirvana. It is the best example of live action combined with animation since "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?"

           Of course if you have never seen a Roadrunner/Coyote cartoon, this is not the film for you. But for those of us familiar with the characters, it's a blast (literally and figuratively).

            Based originally on a New York satire article, the film imagines a world where cartoon characters co-exist with people. After seeing a commercial for a lawyer who represents cartoons, Coyote, tired of using defective Acme products to catch the Roadrunner, decides to sue Acme and hires Kevin Avery to represent him. The name Avery being a nod to animator, Tex Avery.

             The film stars Will Forte as Avery (perfect casting), Lana Condor as Paige, his niece and assistant, and John Cena, as Buddy Crane, the head attorney for the Acme corporation. Other humans in the film include Tone Bell as Sal Maltese (a nod to Michael Maltese, co-creator of Roadrunner), Luis Guzman, Martha Kelly as Dottie Jones ( a nod to Chuck Jones, co-creator of Roadrunner), P.J. Bryne, and Kenneth Choi.

             Eric Bauza does the voices for about 13 different Looney Tunes characters, Candi Milo voices four characters and Jim Cummings does the voice of The Tasmanian Devil. The minor characters and cameos of other famous Looney Tunes characters are just terrific. Mr. Bauza does great voice work and honors the original work of the legendary Mel Blanc. 

             There are sight gags galore as well as some very funny dialog. Interwoven into the craziness is a heart warming story that integrates the live action with the cartoon aspects seamlessly. 

              It's a lot of fun for young and old alike. "That's all Folks"