It is remarkable that this is the first fully animated, theatrical release in the Looney Tunes franchise. Despite being around since 1930 and appearing in shorts, live-action films, and TV shows, these iconic characters have never stood on their own at the cinema before. If “The Day the Earth Blew Up” is the starting point, then I say I would like a lot more, please.
The film centres entirely around Daffy Duck and Porky Pig as they try to solve their housing crisis by seeking various jobs. They land positions at the town’s famous gum factory after meeting Petunia Pig. Meanwhile, an evil alien is using the launch of a new gum to take over the world. It’s a looney story for a looney movie.
The classic animation style makes the price of admission worthwhile alone. Seeing these two iconic characters’ escapades on the big screen will transport you back to your childhood. It’s an animation style that suits the characters perfectly, and it’s great that they didn’t attempt to modernize it. The wheel doesn’t need to be reinvented for the Looney Tunes—their personalities and mayhem bring them to life.
The film pushes its PG rating with silliness for kids and more subtle jokes for adults, there is a joke about a butt crack that made me laugh more than it probably should have. While Daffy Duck and Porky can be a little too over-the-top at times, the film generally knows when to end a joke or skit before it goes too far. Fortunately, the 90-minute runtime allows for a well-constructed, sweet, and funny story without overstaying its welcome.
Interestingly, this film is receiving a limited release, almost as if some executives at Warner Brothers are opposed to it. My local cinema featured it as the “movie of the week” (the discounted feature) during its release week! This raises questions about movies like this—I would gladly see a classically animated, well-written shorter Looney Tunes film annually at a slightly lower cost than a blockbuster. That seems to be the territory where future Looney Tunes films might thrive, though without sufficient audience support, this film might not perform as well if relegated to the endless world of streaming. The film even has a small budget and doesn’t feature big-name stars in roles made famous by other voice actors, it is very refreshing to see and hear.
The Day the Earth Blew Up however did release in the cinema and an unexpected plot, a blend of adult and childish humour, and a focus on just two characters instead of every intellectual property Warner Brothers owns has, surprisingly, created an enjoyable film. The Looney Tunes deserve their time in the spotlight, especially after the very poor Space Jam sequel. Now venturing out on their own, the Tunes are back, and Daffy and Porky will leave you wanting more, like let’s say a tax written off finished Wile. E Coyote film. Save the Looney Tunes.
Score: 3.5/5