Coyote Vs. ACME
If it’s ACME, it’s a gasser!”
In Coyote Vs. ACME, washed up small-time claims lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte) finds himself reluctantly entangled in Wile E. Coyote’s plan to sue ACME for all of its faulty products. Kevin will have to outwit Buddy Crane (John Cena), ACME’s chief legal consultant, and uncover a dark conspiracy involving ACME and all the Looney Tunes. Meanwhile, Coyote might have his own ulterior motives for suing ACME.
Coyote Vs. ACME is the first genuine follow-up to Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It’s set in a world where the Looney Tunes co-exist alongside humans. In other words, this might as well take place in the world of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In this world, the ACME corporation has become a global conglomerate that also makes products for human use. ACME owns close to everything.
The numerous interactions between toons and humans are entertaining and believable. The animation seems to be CGI that replicates the look of hand-drawn 2D animation, but is seamlessly and impressively integrated with the live-action world and human characters. It’s the best use of this format since Roger Rabbit. The film is also clearly modeled after Who Framed Roger Rabbit as we follow a washed-up authority figure who joins up with a toon in a search for justice. Like in Roger Rabbit, both characters start out as frenemeies before forming a genuine bond.
Will Forte is superb as Kevin Avery, our lead. He’s very entertaining to watch and incredibly likable. He works at the law firm Avery, Jones, and Maltese. It’s a cute and clever nod to animators Tex Avery, Chuck Jones, and Michael Maltese. Forte’s Kevin feels right at home in this looney world.
The mute Wile E. Coyote is a lot of fun as the fly in the ointment or the wrench in the gears. His multiple antics often only make things more complicated for Kevin. Lana Condor is warm, sweet, and heartfelt as Paige, Kevin’s idealistic niece. She works at Kevin’s law firm and assists heavily with Wile E’s case. John Cena is clearly having a lot of fun as the evil and smarmy big-time corporate lawyer for ACME. He’s made it his mission to crush Kevin, Paige, and Wile E. (Perhaps literally). As usual, Cena’s a joy whenever he’s on-screen.
Coyote Vs. ACME lovingly draws upon the rich history and legacy of the Looney Tunes. There are references aplenty to Looney Tunes characters and past cartoon shorts starring them. Luckily, there is more to this movie than just that. Included are incredibly poignant and timely messages about how big corporations have been screwing over the little guy for ages, about fighting the big guys, about never giving up, and about how it’s the decision to fight that’s important and not whether you win or lose.
The Looney Tunes continues to be an evergreen property. It’s wild to think that a film of such quality was almost shelved and never released (I think WB was against the film because of its aforementioned messages involving big evil corporations). Regardless, Coyote Vs. ACME landed a wide theatrical release, and we are all better for it. Looney Tunes fans and fans of live-action/animation hybrids have many reasons to rejoice. Coyote Vs. ACME is a little film with a big heart and multiple important messages. Support the little guy and buy your tickets NOW!
5 STARS