“Coyote vs. Acme” follows Wile E. Coyote and billboard accident lawyer Kevin Avery, who team up to fight back against the profit-obsessed conglomerate, ACME, Inc., following decades of catastrophes using their products. It’s inspired by Ian Frazier’s 1990 satirical story, “Coyote V. Acme,” from The New Yorker.
I’m sure you know the story by now. Warner Bros. didn’t want “Coyote vs. Acme” released, shelving it to claim a hefty tax write-off. Following plenty of public backlash, that changed, eventually resulting in Ketchup Entertainment buying the worldwide rights. And here we are. Financially speaking, it makes sense why WB thought this would fail. It’s a kids movie… for adults.
Samy Burch’s screenplay (based on a story by himself, Jeremy Slater and James Gunn) immediately makes it evident that this isn’t going to be your run-of-the-mill cartoon shenanigans. Don’t get it twisted, the Looney Tunes hijinks are still abundant. There’s also a real story here, with characters that you care about and legitimate themes woven within. This allows the narrative to shift between kid-friendly comedy and adult humor throughout the 103-minute runtime, often finding a fine line right in between. That’s not all, though, as there are also drama, thriller and even horror aspects. If it wasn’t focused on cartoon characters, the revulsion would be up front and center. Since they are animated, however, it’s easier to digest.
“Coyote vs. Acme” is also surprisingly emotional. Despite a reliance on clichés — down-on-his-luck lawyer, evil corporation, cocky nemesis — the film brings a sense of sincerity to all its stereotypes. There is some predictability in where the journey heads, yet it still gives viewers a reason to care. Part of this is from the script itself, but much of it has to do with the performances.
Will Forte (Kevin Avery) carries every scene that he’s in. Required to react to many invisible elements, his performance makes you believe that Coyote, the Road Runner and other Looney Tunes characters are a part of this world. Never overreaching, Forte delivers the necessary emotions without stealing the spotlight from the animated characters that people came to see. Also appearing are John Cena (Buddy Crane), Lana Condor (Paige Avery), Tone Bell (Sal Maltese) and Martha Kelly (Dottie Jones). It’s a typical portrayal for Cena: overconfident, charming and direct. His presence balances well with Forte’s, resulting in a number of laughs simply from their opposite personalities. Eric Bauza serves as the voice for 10 different cartoon characters, including Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Tweety and more.
Director of photography Brandon Trost helps the live-action visuals match the energy of the animation. Rather than constant cuts, Trost executes a number of one-shot sequences that have the camera rotate and maneuver through environments as characters speak and move. The live-action-animated hybrid approach is largely flawless. Rendered in 3D CGI, the characters blend seamlessly into the real world, but it’s not just them. “Coyote vs. Acme” also brings objects into the animated realm, which allows director Dave Green to take some shortcuts in the digital effects. That doesn’t mean there’s not impressive practical work being done, as it features real crushed cars, real explosions and more. Carsten Kurpanek’s editing is the final touch in blending the styles together.
Steven Price’s score is also worth mentioning. The classic “meep meep” (or “beep beep”) sounds are integrated into the compositions, adding energy to the fast-paced tracks. This includes the soundtrack as well, with an instantly memorable sequence involving the song “Nobody Speak.”
This is a story about standing up against social injustices — no matter how trivial they may seem. More specifically, it focuses on corporate greed, contrasting Coyote’s experiences with the real-world actions of companies making millions of dollars by exploiting people. That sounds kind of familiar, doesn’t it? It’s almost as if Warner Bros. did exactly that here. Because of this, Green’s film has a true “punk rock” mentality that’s difficult to replicate. It’s not only a “middle finger” to corporate America but also to WB itself. Those unfamiliar with the context surrounding “Coyote vs. Acme” may have a different experience, as the lore behind the movie almost feels woven into its identity at this point.
In every sense, “Coyote vs. Acme” lives up to its almost mythological status. It turns a classic cartoon rivalry into a hilarious and heartfelt courtroom battle for the underdog.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
