Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

As Good As It Gets

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Watching this movie again, I was more than a little disappointed. It's too weird a blend between cartoon and live-action I think. It's hard to tell when the characters are actually in trouble, and it doesn't blend very well. Since most of the cartoons end up being very nonsensical and, after a while, kind of annoying; even Bugs. The actual actors just end up being straight-(wo)men for all of their antics, but their situations are so unrealistic that I find it hard to root for them either. DJ is supposed to be a failed stunt-man/security guard, but, after the 1st act, he seems pretty good at about everything he does. Kate gets fired for doing something that everyone was on board with just to propel the plot. Additionally, the attempts at the 4th wall breaking push the line between witty and lame a bit too much.

Not quite hot on the heels of 'Space Jam' but clearly whipped out to try and garner as much success as said film, how could they fail?Well for a start the plot is a jumbled mess that tries its hand at various movie genres and not quite deciding which to stick with. All the Looney Tunes stars are crammed into the film given various roles which just feels forced and unnecessary. Its the usual thing of Bugs and Daffy working together (well you know they don't get on right?) and teaming up with the fresh faced Fraser to thwart evil Steve Martin who is possibly the worst thing in the entire film, talk about over the top-over acting and not being funny at the same time!This film feels so phony, such a product placement hack of a flick. The action moves from place to place including a wide range of gimmicks just to cover all the bases and try to appeal to everyone. There are sequences in Vegas which end up in a car chase which isn't too bad but that all leads to the inevitable Bond spoofing ugh! There is an Area 51 sequence which of course leads to some familiar sci-fi creations popping up. Lets just say the film spoofs/homages almost every flippin' film they can muster at various points throughout the films run time.I guess the casting of Dalton kinda gives the game away as what to expect though doesn't it. Oh Dalton, oh geez I guess its a Bond spoof again everyone, how very original.I realise that's the whole point of the film, its a full length parody made up of various little moments or sketches where each character has a spot in the light to shine. A film within a film, breaking the fourth wall, cute little in-jokes and product placements etc...yeah I know the drill, problem is its just really lame. The plot just feels totally pointless, you don't really need the plot, just call it a montage movie.One thing I must give praise too is the sharp animation of all the classic characters plus their integration into the live action. Its clearly much slicker than 'Space Jam' and the live actors are impressively responsive to their cartoon counterparts. Despite every gag being predictable and unoriginal the whole thing does look really glossy and polished.But seriously! I mean come on...we even get Indiana Jones jungles and lava flows plus outer space action towards the end! just stick em all in there, something we appeal to someone!. The funny thing is Fraser is perfectly cast for this type of film, the guy the looks and acts like a cartoon, that's why he's in so many kiddie flicks. Not a bad thing per say...I'm just pointing it out.I think kids will enjoy the film for its bright colourful visuals and the inclusion of all their favourite characters. Adults may get a slight kick from some of the parodies and reasonable gags from time to time (much like the brief 'Pulp Fiction' parody in 'Space Jam'). Overall this is such a clusterf**k of ideas it just feels like a bombardment from many sources, but instead of narrowing it down they just use everything, throw it all into the pot, give it a good stir and see what happens.The other issue is simply these classic toons will never be the same again without good old Mel Blanc I'm afraid. Even 'Space Jam' suffered from the same problem, the characters just don't have that same bite, they lost their satirical edge when Blanc died sadly and that doesn't appear to have been brought back. I think the characters are slightly watered down these days, playing it safe, maybe its just me.I honesty think they chucked so many settings and movie concepts into this simply for it to appeal to everyone. I think the term recycled sums this up pretty well, a tribute to the WB Looney tunes by merely recycling all their classic goofiness. Question is did we really need it as this is nowhere near as good.There's something in there for everyone whether you like space, jungles, Vegas, Bond or even a bit of culture in Paris, its all here folks!4.5/10

It's the second attempt from Warner Bros to make a good live action movie with Bugs Bunny. The first one was famous "Space jam" with Michael Jordan . Let's start from the beginning. The idea of making a James Bond parody isn't too attractive or fresh. There has been many parodies about 007 and none of them was particularly good. Not to mention that people are just tired with them . Bugs Bunny won't change that. In the end "Space jam" had more creative storyline.The other problem is the animation. It looks incredibly fake . "Space jam" , hell , good old "Who framed Roger Rabbit" was able to put live actors and cartoons together on screen more convincingly. I don't have to mention that in the movie like this it's a disaster.The biggest problem however is the humor. Cheap humor. It takes more to make an intelligent joke than to put Timothy Dalton (ex-Bond) in a role of super spy. Same goes for casting Steve Martin as evil genius. The whole movie wastes potential of Bugs , Daffy and others . Actually Bugs and Daffy were very irritating , not funny. How they were able to make such funny cartoon characters unfunny ? That's a good question. Also despite that Joe Dante ("Gremlins") is the director there is no sense of style here. It should be crazy fun . It feels plastic instead. All the jokes are LAME , LAME , LAME. It's strange , because I love Bugs and his team.I like that Brendan Fraser makes fun of himself . The joke with "Psycho" was actually funny. Also , the ending was surprising. If this was a serious thriller I would be very unhappy with this type of ending. Here it works. The chase through famous paintings was impressive.I give it 3/10. Better watch "Who framed Roger Rabbit". Watch out for Ron Perlman ("Hellboy") in small role of one of the ACME employers.

There are definitely no "slow burns" in this fast ultra-ha-ha animated/live-action movie. This does not have the richness or the slickness of Roger Rabbit, but it does deliver a fun ride with hardly a pause to catch the in-jokes and all the funny stuff going on.All the WB characters are here, with some having only walk-ons, others cameos, a few that are supporting the silliness, and Bugs and Daffy starring. The "live" cartoon characters performed by real people are generic with only Steve Martin memorable and stealing the skin and bones show.There is enough to satisfy fans and it moves like lightning for the very young. It is a good looking throwback with mostly the type of humor that made these "Toons" so beloved over the years. Their original cartoons are still playing and selling, proving they are a timeless bunch that will bring joy to the world forever.