- Title: Coyote vs. Acme
- IMDb: link
Based on the 1990 The New Yorker magazine article of the same name by Ian Frazier, the film Warner Bros. Discovery attempted to kill as a write-off three years ago finally makes it to theaters. Wile E. Coyote who, after yet another failed attempt to catch the Road Runner, decides to hire an ambulance-chasing lawyer (Will Forte) to sue ACME (the company whose products have failed him for decades).
The first hour of the film, when focused on the little guy taking on the big corporation, is quite good. The second-half of the film, involving secret ACME experiments, a missing scientist, somewhat forced cameos from Bugs Bunny (Eric Bauza), a secondary motive for the plaintiff, a dust-up between lawyer and client, and more, feels overwritten. However, things do get back on track when the case finally does get argued on the largest stage possible.
Wile E. Coyote, who only communicates through facial expressions, drawings, and a limited number of signs, is presented both as a madman and a loveable loser who, despite always failing, never gives up. Avery (Forte), the small-time lawyer looking to settle every case as quickly as possible, who our Coyote then has to force into larger action far outside his comfort zone, is a good foil for our main character. We also get Lana Condor as Avery’s far more gung-ho niece and John Cena as the main lawyer of ACME.
Despite the lull in the second-half of the film, Coyote vs. Acme proves to be a hell of a lot of fun. A great concept, presented well, fans of old WB cartoons should also enjoy the large number of prominent, and obscure, animated characters the story manages to shoehorn in before the end including Daffy Duck, Foghorn Leghorn, Tweety, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and many more.
