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Coyote vs. Acme Review
Image Credit: Ketchup Entertanment
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Directed By: Dave Green
Written By: Samy Burch, James Gunn, and Jeremy Slater
Runtime: 103 minutes
MPA Rating: Rated PG for cartoon violence and some language.
Will Forte – Kevin Avery
John Cena – Buddy Crane
Lana Condor – Paige Avery
P. J. Byrne – Bill Pellicano
Tone Bell – Sal Maltese
Martha Kelly – Dottie Jones
Luis Guzmán – Judge Troppogrosso
Eric Bauza – Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety, Porky Pig, and Foghorn Leghorn
Candi Milo – Granny
Jim Cummings – The Tasmanian Devil
Back from the brink of oblivion comes the live-action/animated mash-up, Coyote vs. Acme. Coyote vs. Acme was nearly vaulted as a tax write-off by Warner Bros. Discovery, never to be seen again, and the movie’s journey to the screen could be a motion picture on its own.
The movie’s plot proves wildly appropriate, as it follows a group of underdogs and an under-coyote taking on a massive corporate conglomerate deeply embedded in everyone’s daily lives. The narrative eerily parallels the motion picture’s own near-sacrifice at the WBD tax write-off altar. Thanks to an impeccable acquisition by Ketchup Entertainment, Coyote vs. Acme achieves a triumphant, miraculous resurrection from a dark abyss and a well-deserved theatrical run.
The timely story takes on a new dimension, thanks to its near-death at the hands of corporate decision-makers. After years of his plans to catch the Road Runner failed, Wile E. Coyote has had enough and decides it’s finally time to receive compensation from the major conglomerate, ACME, Inc., for all their faulty inventions that constantly malfunction in pursuit of his prey.
Wile finds legal counsel with the billboard accident lawyer Kevin Avery (Forte), the unambitious type and ill-equipped to take on a huge legal battle against ACME, and their slick, morally ambiguous chief legal officer Buddy Crane (Cena). Wile also refuses ACME’s settlement offers, forcing Kevin and his modest firm to go all in.
However, thanks to encouragement from his starry-eyed Oxford-educated protégé and niece, Paige (Condor), and a burgeoning friendship with Wile, Kevin uses the case to find his inner super-lawyer. He soon discovers a massive conspiracy involving ACME that its CEO, Foghorn Leghorn (Bauza), and Crane will stop at nothing to keep from becoming public, even resorting to extralegal measures.
Dave Green fashions Coyote vs. Acme as part-Looney Tunes-themed comedy, part-legal thriller, making for a timely, relevant satire about corporate greed and exploitation. Part of what elevates the movie is that, underneath the comedic slapstick and outrageous Looney Tunes schtick, is a surprisingly genuine message and theme about the blue-collar underdogs taking on the rich and powerful. Kevin and Wile also form a weirdly endearing bond over the course of the movie.
Will Forte is perfectly cast as the movie’s human protagonist. Forte’s energy already resembles an animated character in human form, so he’s an excellent fit to lead a story with such classic characters. As a performer, he easily handles performing alongside humans and cartoons alike, making it grounded and believable. The movie’s best moments showcase Wile and Kevin’s deepening bond, forcing Kevin out of his lackadaisical approach to his profession.
The same can be said for the movie’s main antagonist, the former 17-time WWE Champion John Cena. It’s absolutely bewildering that WWE couldn’t figure out how to make him a bad guy because in this movie, he’s a better villain than WWE could ever portray him.
Cena brings a natural smarminess to ACME’s chief legal counsel, and he performs believably well when interacting with the cartoon characters. There’s absolutely nothing redeemable about Buddy Crane, but that works within the movie’s framework. He’s the epitome of a slimy, corporate lawyer, and Cena embodies that persona incredibly well.
Although Wile remains mute, despite his rare speaking appearances in classic Looney Tunes shorts, Kevin helps guide the narrative and audience through Wile’s plight, essentially becoming his client’s voice, both literally and figuratively. Together, they embark on a bizarrely touching adventure of self-discovery, where both characters are confronted with harsh truths.
Considering that Coyote vs. Acme‘s plot unfolds in a world where normal humans exist side-by-side with cartoons, Samy Burch’s screenplay breezily handles the world-building, establishing it with minimal exposition. The narrative provides key clues and character beats, essentially presenting cartoons as a unique race of sentient beings, without providing tons of long-winded explanations. Burch’s script dives into the setting and establishes the world-building and stakes effortlessly.
Other iconic Looney Tunes appear generously throughout the movie, mostly in small supporting roles or extended cameos. However, the movie is really Wile E. Coyote’s chance to shine as he takes the majority of the spotlight. It’s also fun how Coyote vs. Acme makes impressive use of some deeper cuts and more obscure characters in the Looney Tunes lexicon, some of whom have been out of the picture for decades.
Dave Green lends a fascinating new dimension to the Looney Tunes‘ resident Super Genius and Carnivorous Vulgaris. Not to worry, as Green doesn’t shatter longstanding lore with his depictions. Even the breakthroughs the characters achieve work within the grander Looney Tunes universe.
Coyote vs. Acme amounts to a well-crafted film about corporate greed and exploitation, as well as the importance of fighting battles even in the face of overwhelming odds. The movie literally fought that battle and ultimately won. No matter what happens, Coyote vs. Acme seeing the light of day represents a cinematic triumph.
Where To Watch Coyote vs. Acme
Coyote vs. Acme runs into theaters on August 28. Tickets and showtime information are available at the movie’s website.
