The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
ushers in a new era for the Looney Tunes franchise by going back to basics. Back in 1996, Looney Tunes moved on from doing feature-length compilation cartoons to making a blended animated feature story that weaved in live-action animation. However, the core of the stories has always stemmed from wacky animated adventures, and The Day the Earth Blew Up recognizes and returns to that in an experimental animated sci-fi adventure.
Daffy Duck and Porky Pig star as adopted siblings who were both raised by the wise and gentle Farmer Jim. However, when left to their own devices, the pair end up getting caught up in all sorts of trouble, including an alien invasion that uses the most unlikely of weapons to take over the planet. But if they can find a way to work together, they just might succeed in putting things right.
The Day The Earth Blew Up Feels Like A Looney Tunes Parody (In A Good Way)
The Looney Tunes franchise is at its best when it sticks to the formula and makes contained stories. Each episode can mine one funny or interesting moment in a way that resonates with the audience and delivers something entertaining and action-packed. Fortunately, this movie sticks to that idea in the best way possible. The film digs into a story that leans on just two of the colorful core cast members from the franchise, both of whom are voiced by the talented Eric Bauza.
The Looney Tunes franchise is at its best when it sticks to the formula and makes contained stories.
Then, it inserts these unlikely heroes into an epic sci-fi story that resembles Invasion of the Body Snatchers, while parodying another popular sci-fi film’s title, The Day the Earth Stood Still. The result is a wonderful feature-length cartoon that has a lot to offer the entire family — from jokes aimed at getting a giggle out of the adults to animated moments that will have kids rolling around in delight.
The film also uses the sci-fi genre in a particularly satisfying way, despite this not being a typical feature of the cartoons. However, the absurdity and wild humor complement the tone of the story effectively. In addition to wonderful animation, an incredibly talented lead voice actor, and a strong story, the film brings all of these strengths together in a unified, intentional way that shows the overall quality.
The Talent Extends Beyond The Screen In The Day The Earth Blew Up
Peter Browngardt began working on the Looney Tunes cartoons back in 2019, when he simultaneously stepped in as a writer, director, and producer. Since then, he has worked closely with these characters and stories. He developed a deep understanding of them and what makes a quality story in a Looney Tunes adventure. Despite The Day the Earth Blew Up serving as Browngardt’s feature directorial debut, he did an excellent job both writing and directing.
The result is a brilliant film that incorporates emotion, elevates the stakes, and brings the narrative home in a satisfying way.
However, Browngardt did not write it alone. Together with Kevin Costello, who worked on Tom & Jerry: The Movie, and Alex Kirwan, who is a seasoned writer for Cartoon Network, they developed the story into something compelling and engaging for the whole family. And of course, there’s the talented artists who brought these stories to life and added touches of unique animated stylings that help certain story elements stand out. Together, the film is elevated beyond the quirky source material, though that remains a central part of it.
The result is a brilliant film that incorporates emotion, elevates the stakes, and brings the narrative home in a satisfying way. There is a lot going on in the plot, but it doesn’t feel overly stuffed, and the pacing works well with the style and narrative. The visuals are exciting, and they keep the story moving until it reaches the incredible finale, ultimately making The Day the Earth Blew Up a family film worth watching.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie
8/10
- Release Date
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March 14, 2024
- Runtime
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91 Minutes
- Director
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Peter Browngardt
- Writers
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Kevin Costello
- The animation style is engaging and creative.
- The narrative moves along at pace with plenty of laughs along the way.
- With one actor in both leading roles, it can feel like a one-man show at times.