Today’s quick review: Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Sick of playing second fiddle to Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck throws a tantrum that ends both his career and that of DJ (Brendan Fraser), a security guard and aspiring stuntman. But when DJ’s father Damien Drake (Timothy Dalton), a star in spy movies and an actual spy, is captured, DJ and Daffy must rescue him from the clutches of the ACME Corporation’s evil chairman (Steve Martin).
Looney Tunes: Back in Action is a cartoon comedy that mixes live action and animation. Back in Action is a metafictional romp through a cartoon-infested version of the real world. There, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are comedy actors, Yosemite Sam owns a casino, and ACME is a diabolical corporation with plans to conquer the world. Back in Action offers cartoon slapstick, a bevy of pop culture references, and plenty of homages to classic Looney Tunes bits.
As a comedy, Looney Tunes: Back in Action is a mixed bag. The script works well enough, but a lot of the jokes miss their mark. Many of the pop culture references have aged poorly, and the blend of cartoon antics and live action can be jarring at times. Steve Martin goes a bit too goofy to work as a villain, even in a cartoon. The movie also has a few rough spots where it gets trapped in a failing gag but has to see it through to the end anyway.
But Back in Action does have its moments. Brendan Fraser is an excellent fit for the movie, silly enough to feel at home in a world of cartoons while still working as the straight man. The movie has a great sense of energy, and the gags it flubs are quickly forgotten. And tucked away in the whirlwind of humor are a few gems of slapstick or self-reference that make the whole thing worthwhile.
The result is a flawed but entertaining movie that runs the gamut from off-putting to side-splitting, often in rapid succession. You will get the most out of Looney Tunes: Back in Action if you are tickled by meta humor, Hollywood references, and jokes slipped into the background. Back in Action gets enough wrong that most viewers will find it a mediocre watch, but those willing to forgive its flaws will find plenty to laugh at.
For an earlier, more developed interaction between cartoons and humans, check out Who Framed Roger Rabbit. For a more memorable foray into the world of Looney Tunes, check out Space Jam. For a more thorough spy parody, check out Austin Powers.
5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for large quantities of decent humor with a dusting of great humor.