On a dark night, a scientist spots an odd light in the sky. That light grows brighter and brighter, closer and closer, until he realises it’s set on a collision course for Earth! This peculiar UFO burns into our atmosphere and blasts a glowing, slimy green crater in the middle of nowhere, also blowing a hole through the roof of a certain odd couple…
Daffy Duck and Porky Pig (both voiced by Eric Bauza) live a life of semi domestic bliss, as housemates. Raised from a duckling and a piglet as brothers by the kindly and stiffly animated Farmer Jim (Fred Tatasciore), the two are inseparable. Daffy is a childish, unpredictably insane conspiracy theorist, while Porky is the more settled and responsible type of pig. But with this new inexplicable hole in their roof looking to see them evicted, the pair set out to find jobs to fund the much-needed repairs.
Along comes a chance meeting with Petunia Pig (Candi Milo), an employee of the nearby ‘Goodie Gum’ chewing gum factory. For Porky, it’s love at first sight, plus Daffy and Porky find gainful employment, until a familiar green goo is added to the famous chewing gum recipe, turning all the world’s inhabitants into mindless chewing zombies! Now, it’s up to Daffy, Porky and Petunia to rise to the occasion and save the planet. But with a nefarious alien invader (Peter MacNicol) scheming, lord only knows that it seems that maybe this time really will be, “That’s All Folks!”.
From producer Peter Browngardt comes his feature film debut. The animator made a name for himself already working with these characters in Looney Tunes Cartoons (2020), understanding that constant reinventions had led to the timeless toons straying away from what had made them so iconic. His work has been a return to form and puts the ‘looney’ back in Looney Tunes.
Stylistically, Browngardt‘s vision calls back to the earliest works of Looney Tunes animated shorts. That of original animator and character designers such as Bob Clampett and Tex Avery. Particularly, Clampett who first created Porky, Daffy, Tweety and many others. The combinations of different styles throughout the film may sometimes be more reminiscent of the old Ren & Stimpy show than Merry Melodies. But with Ren & Stimpy‘s creator John Kricfalusi always citing Clampett‘s work as his main inspiration, aesthetically you might say that this takes things “full circle”.
It’s shocking that in all the years that feature length Looney Tunes movies have been a thing, somehow, we’ve never had a 100% animated one. We’ve always had live action hybrids with the likes of Space Jam, making Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up the first of its kind. This new film is dripping with adoration for the history of the franchise, but without resorting to throwaway cameos from other favourite characters.
This is 100% a Daffy and Porky adventure playing off the dynamics that the two have had for decades. The comedic antics remain fresh, loveably zany, and just when the film threatens to be running a little too long, things are shaken up. Both in the creativity of the plot but also the heart-warming connection between its barnyard buddies.
Bauza does a fine job in his first time playing voices of both Daffy and Porky, immediately recognisable and slipping into their personalities like he’s been playing them for years. He’s no Mel Blanc, sure. But honestly, who could fill those shoes? Supported by Milo and Mac Nicol who each bring just the right amount of energy to play off, the animated feature never lacks for spirit.
Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up is really created for ‘bigger kids’ in mind, the ones that grew up with these characters. Although, I’m certain that many young children can and will still love it. I mean, hey, I loved Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and had no idea what was going on as a kid! Although, the movie is more of a fun horror-sci-fi-comedy, inspired by the old 50s alien invasion flicks, and its story can get a little dense. Not to mention scary, with a particularly ferocious and gummy creature, maybe being a bit too intense for the younger and more sensitive tykes.
An enjoyable callback to the golden age of Looney Tunes animation, Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up succeeds as old school fun. Peter Browngardt’s take on these characters shows a great amount of reverence for where these toons have been. Yet he also breathes new life into their world, making for an animated feature ready and worthy to be appreciated by long-time fans and newcomers alike!
Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up is in cinemas from Thursday March 27.