Coyote vs Acme Review: Legal bromance meets emotional vim
I've never been particularly interested in the Looney Tunes franchise. Not that I have any gripes or preconceived notions; I just never saw any of the shows as a kid or beyond, and I have so many things to watch that it never really crossed my mind. But after hearing the heartbreaking story of this film's production and reading up on it, I became invested. I had to go see it day one. I had to fight the good fight. So, was this film as good as I hoped? Did it reaffirm that Warner Bros. has gone mad? That's what I, Brighton Nelson of The Reel Ranker, will be discussing in today's review. Thanks so much for joining me here on the site, and I hope you enjoy your stay!
Let's get a couple of negatives out of the way first. I felt the middle act and a couple of other sequences were dragged out a little too long, and I could feel the runtime a smidge... and it's not that long of a film. Also, there were a couple of goofy plot conveniences when it came down to crunch time for the trial.
However, the negatives are small and mostly moot, as this was a beautiful film from head to foot. Abounding with creativity and whimsy, it has all the hallmarks of an incredible flick. This film did not deserve to be shelved in the slightest.
The hybrid of live-action and animation is nigh-seamless, and the way the film tackles prejudice against the cartoons accentuates the medium's brilliance. This film looks fantastic throughout, and the Looney Tunes animation was incredible. If this is how good Looney Tunes usually is, it looks like someone has been converted into a fan.
The humor is on point, too. There's a reason "Looney Tunes humor" is a common phrase: the humor here is its own breed and brand. There was a lady four rows behind me who was laughing so hard she almost asphyxiated. Her incessant guffawing encapsulates the nature of this film to a T.
However, this film is so much more than gorgeous, cute, or funny. This film's narrative has tangible stakes, thematic weight, and explosive emotional moments. The film explores prejudice, rising up from pathetic to heroic, finding friends in unlikely places, the exploitation of mega-corporations, and more. The tear-jerking moments are rampant and poignant here, with the final courtroom scene being one of the most unexpected cries of the year so far, thanks to my boy Roadrunner.
The arc Wile E. Coyote goes on in this film, realizing there's so much more to life than he ever knew, is incredible. But, even more incredible, is the arc of Kevin. He starts as a senior partner at the lowest-rung firm in town, but ends up becoming a wonderful man. While everyone fired on all cylinders here, Will Forte's performance has cemented itself as one of the best of the year for me. He did a magnificent, whimsical job of portraying this coward rising up, and Wile E. Coyote's contributions to his arc with the theme of resilience were so moving.
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 89%
Letter Score: S-
Star Ranking: 4.5 out of 5
Coyote vs. Acme is a film so far beyond the realm of being worth scrapping that I am almost convinced Warner Bros. was targeted by a group of racist aliens in a hostile takeover that simply didn't want humanity displayed on the big screen. The irony that this is the film that Warner Bros. tried to leave behind is hysterical. Yet, there's much more to it than that, because Coyote vs. Acme is movie magic at its finest: pristine animation, exuberant emotional storytelling, and knee-slapping humor.
Interested in checking out my review for Buffalo Kids, a brilliant film with a very similar whimsical energy that also has a sad underdog story attached to it? Or want to check out some recent reviews for some other animated films, dramas, and comedies? See them below!
Brighton Nelson
Brighton Nelson
Brighton Nelson
Brighton Nelson
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