‘The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie’ Earns Glowing First Reviews

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As a lifelong fan of animation and someone who grew up watching Looney Tunes, I must admit that my excitement for “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” is through the roof! The early reviews are reminiscent of the days when Warner Bros. was at its peak, creating masterpieces like “Bugs Bunny on the Run” and “Duck Amuck.

Based on entertainment news, the term “animated” might give an impression that it serves as a business term for “tax deduction.” Yet surprisingly, even though Warner Bros. has often been seen as detrimental to cartoons since the eraser, its latest feature film titled “The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie” is receiving praise from critics. Critics’ initial reviews for this Looney Tunes movie that somehow avoided Warner Bros.’ control and secured a theatrical release are largely favorable.

Under the guidance of director Peter Browngardt, the animated story titled “The Day the Earth Blew Up” finds Daffy Duck and Porky Pig embarking on a mission to protect our world from an extraterrestrial invasion.

In his review for Variety, critic Peter Debruge writes:

A day out is more entertaining than any movie the studio has released since “The Lego Movie 2,” and it’s a unique opportunity to witness Porky and Daffy engaged in activities beyond basketball or promoting merchandise.

Fans of Looney Tunes might recall that last year’s “Coyote vs. Acme” feature film was sacrificed to please the shareholder deities, unfortunately meeting a similar fate. However, following its completion, it has miraculously managed to dodge David Zaslav’s scythe and is set for a theater release on February 28, 2025. Until then, early reviews from the 2024 Annecy International Animated Film Festival laud the silly escapade as both heartwarming and uproarious. According to Nicolás Delgadillo of Discussing Film:

Beneath the humor and chaotic antics, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie shows a genuine tender side, revealing a profound love for its characters that infuses the chaos with a sense of heartfelt warmth.

Looney Tunes Shares Comedy DNA With Almost Everything

The impact of Looney Tunes on comedy, whether it’s animated or live-action, is profound and undeniable. These iconic animated shorts posed the question, “What if Buster Keaton were free from physics’ constraints?” This freedom led to a rich tapestry of humor, absurd gags, and cinematic rhythms that have left their mark on some of the most memorable scenes in shows like The Simpsons, SpongeBob SquarePants, and The Amazing World of Gumball, as well as more recent works such as the 2022 indie comedy hit Hundreds of Beavers. Therefore, the acclaim given to Daffy and Porky’s own 2D animated film is a thrilling moment for long-time animation enthusiasts and new viewers who haven’t yet experienced physical humor at its finest, as perfected only by Looney Tunes.

In a departure from many recent Looney Tunes productions that overflow with cameos, this film titled Day maintains a more focused approach, featuring only three main characters. Critics have praised its simplicity, as it presents a classic sci-fi storyline and emphasizes the emotional connection between Daffy and Porky over numerous appearances or crossovers. Delgadillo notes that this film’s charm lies in its ability to tell a personal story without relying on an excessive number of cameos or cross-overs. Rafael Motamayor from IGN describes it as one of the funniest films of the year, with stunning animation, quick pace, and an impressive jokes-per-minute ratio.

It’s astonishing and heartening to realize that this animated series, which is almost a century old, can still captivate and charm us. This demonstrates that the enduring impact of art knows no bounds and remains relevant as it resonates with new generations who preserve its legacy. Whether we’ll witness more creations from the studio credited with originating animation remains to be seen, but let’s hope there’s much more to come – except for “that’s all folks.

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2024-11-14 00:04