Rating: 4/5
Synopsis:
A blast from the past comes in the form of a brand new “Looney Tunes” movie. For this adventure, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck encounter a threat from another world. They get jobs working at a gum factory, only to find out that an alien has tainted the gum to mind control all humans. With limited resources, the two clumsy friends must save the world from disaster before it’s too late.
Positives:
Gosh, I felt the nostalgia when I sat down and saw the old Warner Bros. Animation logo pop up on screen before the movie started. As soon as I heard Porky’s stuttering and Daffy’s smushed bill pronunciation, I knew we were in for a treat. What’s crazy is that this is the first theatrically released “Looney Tunes” movie. I’m happy to say that “The Day the Earth Blew Up” is an absolute blast! Daffy and Porky are in top form here, delivering the slapstick shenanigans and irreverent humor that we’ve come to know the “Looney Tunes” for. I haven’t laughed this hard at an animated film in years. The movie reminded me of a time where irreverent humor was more prominent in animation, where the extreme expressive nature of these characters can be unchained for audiences to enjoy. I hope younger audiences get out and see this one because it is an absolute blast!
The throwback 2D animation style is also a treat. I remember when I used to watch Saturday morning cartoons (yes, I AM starting to feel old) and the colorful personalities jumped right off the screen. This old school animation technique allows for great expression with the characters, where Daffy Duck and Porky Pig are able to bring the slapstick elements of their humor with ease. It’s such an underappreciated form of animation and I hope more films will embrace this technique to give characters the colorful personalities they deserve. Credit to “Looney Tunes” for keeping this alive. The voice acting is top notch, where Eric Bauza assumes the voicing of Daffy and Porky. His version of the characters sounds just like the originals, so credit to him for bringing us back. I also thought the story was simple enough for younger viewers to enjoy while having plenty of heart between two old friends. This is the perfect excuse for families to go to the theater!
Negatives:
This was a much better experience than I anticipated. However, the film’s main issue is that it runs out of steam by the third act. Where the “Looney Tunes” are typically presented as short episodes, their adventures are quick and breezy. This movie clocks in at an hour and a half, making the adventure feel a bit overworn. The first act is the funniest (by far), and by the time the third act rolls around I could feel the runtime being stretched out to warrant a feature length film. There isn’t enough material in this story to warrant the runtime, so trimming fifteen to twenty minus could have helped a lot.
Conclusion:
“The Day the Earth Blew Up” is a refreshing return to the old days! Daffy Duck and Porky Pig are in top form, giving audiences the perfect blend of laughs and heart we’ve come to expect from them. The humor works for most of the film and the 2D animation style brings older audiences back. While the story feels overstretched by the end, there is plenty of irreverent material and laugh out loud moments for families to enjoy. Tell the whole gang, grab some popcorn, and strap in for an awesome blast from the past!
