COYOTE VS. ACME
Starring: Will Forte, Lana Condor, John Cena, Eric Bauza, Martha Kelly, Luis Guzmán, P.J. Byrne, and Tone Bell
Director: Dave Green
AMARÚ
With about four different storylines that all move at a clip as fast as the Road Runner, Coyote vs. Acme is full of chaos, energy, and propulsion that shouldn’t fit together on paper. That is until the very strategic reduction in pace demonstrates how these very anarchic pieces fit together in a surprisingly heartfelt puzzle. The writing is sly and stylish, bringing an unexplored dynamic to the Coyote that plays well off of Will Forte’s bumbling nonchalance. It’s structured chaos that’s hard to describe but easy to enjoy, and somehow finds a way to pay off all its disparate and disorderly parts.
ADRIANO
Imagine how jaded one has to be to watch Coyote vs. Acme and think “nobody should be allowed to see this.” The irony of the plot being about corporations viewing the Looney Tunes as disposable elevates the hijinks because these characters are still insanely funny. Alongside Will Forte’s dependable comedic timing, all the slapstick and visual gags of the Looney Tunes’ best days are present, and aside from a few lulls, they had me laughing consistently. Best of all, there’s a surprising amount of heart and sincerity towards go-getterism at its core. Everyone needs to see this.
NICK
After years of uncertainty, Coyote vs. Acme is here, and it remains baffling that any studio would ever consider shelving this project. The reliable Looney Tunes are once again on their game in a film filled with visual gags, witty dialogue, and even some heart. Pair them with fully committed performances from their live-action counterparts Will Forte, Lana Condor, and John Cena, and you have one of the better live-action/animated hybrids we've seen in quite some time. Plus, although this is a film for all ages, it definitely has some adult jokes made for those who grew up on the Looney Tunes.
ROBERT
The plot of Coyote vs. Acme feels like the distillation of a debate from the movie Clerks, and I am here for it! This is my favorite live action/animation crossover since Space Jam because it feels like these worlds always lived together in the context of the film. Beyond the obvious Looney Tunes bits, there are some subtle jokes and references that grabbed me, and the visual occupation of both elements onscreen is seamless. Also, it gives some pathos to silly, animated characters I didn’t think was possible. Ketchup Entertainment and Legion M rescued a gem from a black hole.
BODE
There’s no downplaying how miraculous it is that everyone gets a chance to see Coyote vs. Acme, since it almost got killed for a tax write-off. It was a baffling possibility to begin with, but it’s also ironic given its anti-greed/anti-conglomerate message. It’s a message which director Dave Green and screenwriter Samy Burch hammer with all the classic slapstick you would want out of a Looney Tunes movie, as well as some surprising amounts of heart. It’s definitely not perfect, but on the scale of Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Space Jam, this gets closer to the quality of the former. Enjoyable for all ages.
