Coyote vs Acme praised as inventive Looney Tunes courtroom comedy
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The review praises ‘Coyote vs. Acme’, a live-action and animated Looney Tunes film that was nearly discarded by Warner Bros. as a tax loss before being rescued by Ketchup Entertainment for a theatrical release. It argues that the film succeeds through its dense cartoon references, comic courtroom premise and use of classic characters, calling it an especially strong example of the hybrid format.
Will Forte plays Kevin Avery, an ineffective lawyer hired by Wile E. Coyote to sue Acme after its products repeatedly injure him; John Cena plays Acme’s lawyer, Buddy Crane. The PG-rated film, directed by Dave Green and written by Samy Burch, runs for 1 hour 41 minutes and is due for release on 28 August. Its story, adapted from a satirical New Yorker article by Ian Frazier, also features Lana Condor, Tone Bell and appearances from Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil, Foghorn Leghorn and Elmer Fudd.
- Rescued Looney Tunes film receives a highly positive review.
- Wile E. Coyote sues Acme with Will Forte’s lawyer.
- The hybrid comedy opens on 28 August.
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Coyote vs. Acme brings a long-running Looney Tunes joke into a modern legal comedy. Wile E. Coyote is best known for endlessly trying, and failing, to catch the Road Runner with mail-order gadgets made by the fictional Acme Corporation.
The film mixes live-action actors with animated characters, a format previously used in films such as Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Its central case treats the cartoon violence as if it had real consequences, with Coyote seeking compensation for the injuries caused by Acme’s faulty products.
Warner Bros. owns the Looney Tunes characters and had initially planned not to release the film, which drew attention to how studios handle completed productions. The eventual cinema release makes it a notable test of whether familiar cartoon characters can still attract audiences in a new kind of story.
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Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Review: Nearly-Shelved Looney Tunes Film Starring Will Forte and John Cena Is One of the Best Live-Action/Animated Hybrid Films Ever”.