A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

The Evaluation System Reviews by Title Reviews by Date

Reviews from Video Reviews of the Classics Personal Background

Title: Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Date Viewed: 11/22/03

Details:

Brendan Fraser

Jenna Elfman

Steve Martin

Timothy Dalton

Heather Locklear

Joan Cusack

Roger Corman (cameo)

Director: Joe Dante

Score: 1/2

The Review: Somewhere in that murky middle-ground between homage, pastiche and parody, this is mixed media in the throes of self-discovery: Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck meet Brendan Fraser and Jenna Elfman. Mix in Wylie Coyote and Steve Martin, Marvin the Martian and several creatures from 50's classic B-grade science fiction (including a cameo by one of the Mutants from This Island Earth) -- and you begin to see the manic nature of the plot, such as it is. Not that you need a plot to enjoy this comic romp, which roughly focuses (now there's an oxymoron if any there were) on the firing of Daffy by the movie studios, Elfman's attempt to bring him back, the evil plans of the head of Acme Manufacturing, secret (and not-so-secret) agents, and saving the world.

Although essentially the same (attempt at the) genre and creative background, it's nowhere near as good as Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988). Elfman has already demonstrated her ability to handle light drama laced with broad comedy -- after seeing the cell phone vibrator sequence outtake from the DVD version of Keeping the Faith, I'd gladly watch her anywhere -- but this does not add another notch to her belt.

OK, but not prime cut.

(26-Dec-03)

Back to the chronological list of reviews