I am very happy this movie is seeing the light of day after some folks over at Warner Bros. shelved the film as a tax write-off a few years ago.
That said, Coyote vs. Acme is not my bag. I’ve had it up to here with courtroom movies, and this one puts Coyote in court against Looney Tunes staple Acme for producing products that always failed him in his pursuit of the Road Runner. That concept just isn’t funny to me, nor does it play out as funny in the movie. It’s kind of boring.
Still, this is a movie that a lot of people are enjoying, and even though I can’t say I liked it all that much, it is a complete and solid film for mass consumption. There is nothing about the quality of the film that suggests it should’ve wound up on the scrap heap.
The film combines animation with live action as Coyote hires a small-time lawyer (a game Will Forte) to represent him in court. The art direction is decent—perhaps a little sloppy in spots—but OK overall. Looney mainstays Porky Pig, Tweety, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck all make cameos, so if you are a fan of vintage animation, you might find this pleasing.
The story never really catches fire, and what results is something that feels slightly repetitive and a little flat, especially when the action is in a courtroom. The movie just isn’t as clever as it wants to be.
Still, Forte is fun; Wile E. Coyote and friends have some decent moments; and this movie never should’ve been shitcanned for tax purposes.
I’m glad it made it to the big screen, and I’m happy folks are enjoying it, but it’s a near-miss for me.