There are times when life imitates art and vice versa. This is one of those times. Everyone is talking about Spider-Man and The Odyssey, but I am here to discuss a story of corporate greed, government coverups, conspiracy theories and legal battles so enormous that Sisyphus himself would look at this and say “that’s impossible.” The context for which this film, about a cartoon coyote and his eternal chase of a hyperspeed dessert bird, is that while it is 2026, it was completed and ready for release in 2023. Then, as if some cosmic joke was being played on Looney Tunes fans, Warner Bros. during their merger with Discovery thought it would be worth more to them as a tax write off than it could make at the box office. The greed of a major corporation got out into the wild and a true thing of beauty took place; Warner Bros. Discovery got shamed into allowing another company, Ketchup Entertainment, to buy the rights to distribute the film. After watching Coyote vs. Acme, I can see why WBD wanted to shelve the film. It’s not because it is bad; on the contrary, it is amazing. It’s because it is LITERALLY ABOUT THE LITTLE GUY FIGHTING A LARGE, EVIL CORPORATION. The movie has a copyright of 2023, and a release date of August 28th, 2026.
I’m not going to lie. I’ve always been on team Coyote. Wile E. Coyote absolutely is an avatar for everyone who never gives up, as indicated in the film. The Roadrunner is the unattainable goal, and the Coyote is persistence personified. This film reminds me in many ways of Grant Morrison’s epic run on Animal Man, specifically The Coyote Gospel” (see what I did there, comic book fans? On topic.).
We have a stellar cast in Will Forte, who plays Kevin Avery, a billboard lawyer that sparks the latest idea in our super genius coyote’s head, Lana Condor plays his niece, Paige Avery, and John Cena plays the corporate lawyer for Acme Corporation, Buddy Crane. Wacky hi-jinks ensue. Keeping this part spoiler-free and all I can say in this regard is everyone turns in an amazing performance and John Cena is comedy gold. Did I mention that they had this cast and thought to themselves “hmm.. tax write off…”? The voice cast is on point, and you’ll have a blast when you absorb all the cameos.
The animation and live action integration is Who Framed Roger Rabbit? level amazing. This film apparently cost 70 million dollars to make, and every penny is on screen. The story is from the minds of Samy Burch, James Gunn, and Jeremy Slater and it is directed by Dave Green who should get an Oscar (see first sentence of this paragraph.)
My first impression after Sunday’s special preview showing at our local movie theatre was this one of the best, funniest movies I have seen in years. If you’re ok with Looney Tunes level cartoon violence, bring the kids. I laughed, and for a moment, I caught myself maybe welling up a tear. My second impression will come this weekend when it is finally released to the general public on August 28th as I will be going to see it again, and again, and again… Spider-Man and Odysseus are doing fine. Go see the Looney Tunes this weekend.
5 out of 5 Falling Pianos.
Ed Mathews used to be the News Editor of The Slush Factory and the Co-Editor In Chief of PopImage. Fun fact: his love of classical music comes from Looney Tunes cartoons. Now he is busy making sure computers work right and occasionally coming out of retirement for a comic book thought piece at GayLeague.com.