IR Film Review: COYOTE VS. ACME [Ketchup]

The mixing of the cartoon world and the real world is always an interesting cauldron because it uses both context and tone as a balance of the time it is in. “Coyote Va. Acme” exists in its own state but also the world it is currently in. “Roger Rabbit” was set in the time of the 40s with a different pair of eyes but also was the heyday of Looney Tunes cartoons. They were big stars. Today’s kids barely know them but their parents still have an idea of where they come from. The Coyote in play is an interesting plot device because he is neither good guy or bad guy...but he is true to his nature. Kevin Avery, whose name and law firm are an ode to the great animators of those cartoons without knowing it, unwittingly becomes part of the Coyote’s approach using the idea that Acme products fails for him. It is a pretty good premise but has to be played again to the world it lives in. This is still no "Roger Rabbit" but it gets its punchline without explaining too much. Will Forte as Avery has the underdog against the big man at Acme angle.

Acme is represented by their head lawyer (played with fun glee by John Cena). Everyone here gets the tone and it is light enough so there isn’t really any danger but there still are dark themes at times underneath which was part of the joy of the original cartoons. The idea of the conspiracy of Acme makes it all the way up to the aspects of Congress with a expected person on the committee. The use of the character of an animated Lorre in the beginning and how it connects to Grandma is sweet but also an old homage. There is also one joke involving Sylvester as simply a gag offscreen says so much while just being “what?”. There is also an ode to the cartoon train in one inspired sequence. '

The film also pulls some flashback footage from the original cartoons to illustrate the Coyote plight but also one near a canyon which shows that Wile E. is self-aware to a point. The Roadrunner also has its say in a way but it is true to form and nature. "Coyote Vs. Acme" isn’t fantastic but it is fun considering what it is, depending on if it is seen and appreciated by an audience. Ketchup released it after the new regime that came into Warner considered it unreleasable with is not the case. The film has its faults but also some really fun strengths. However the fact that the locals like Avery wouldn’t know who one of the undercover people really is is a little preposterous but one has to go with it. The resolution doesn’t change a whole lot but gives another glimpse into that hybrid world which is always fun to visit. B/84%

By Tim Wassberg