Just like the fully filmed “Batgirl” from 2022, Dave Green’s “Coyote vs. Acme” was originally shelved by Warner Bros. and claimed as a tax write-off. After their merger with Discovery, Warner Bros. decided shelving a finished film was more cost-effective than even streaming it. Fans voiced their complaints loudly, demanding a theatrical release. Now that it has finally happened, was Warner Bros. right to shelve it? Short answer: No.
Wile E. Coyote spends his days just like he always does—hunting Road Runner. Just like all the other times, he fails miserably. He uses a variety of Acme products, yet each one malfunctions and causes him harm. Some of the best scenes in the film are the sequences built around his Acme products, such as rocket shoes, magnets and a missile. After one particularly painful day, he returns to his cave and sees an ad for a law firm specializing in injury compensation for cartoons.
The Avery, Jones, and Maltese law firm makes its money settling small complaints against large corporations, mainly Acme. Kevin Avery (Will Forte) has become complacent in life. He tells Coyote to just settle for $300 for the rocket boots. Instead, Coyote submits a whole box of broken items, without telling Kevin, making this the largest lawsuit against Acme. With the help of his intern niece Paige (Lana Condor), they are set to go head-to-head with the powerful company on a national scale despite very little evidence.
Looney Tunes was not a part of my childhood, but seeing these characters interact with the real world as a live-action/animation hybrid was a joy. The animation shifts between 2D and 3D alongside live action seamlessly. Each animated character has enough depth to feel at home living side by side with people in the real world. The actors react to the animated characters convincingly, even though they are not there during shooting. Cameos from Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tasmanian Devil and Tweety Bird will delight fans despite their brief appearances. But Coyote is the main star.
The evolution of Coyote’s relationship with his lawyer is the heart of the film. He is no longer the villain; he is the victim of Acme’s greed. At first, Kevin is hesitant and always looking for a way out. But Coyote helps reshape his thinking, giving him confidence. The film also reshapes his relationship with Road Runner in a surprising way. The balance of heart and chaotic humor is solid, but I was hoping for more laugh-out-loud moments. I chuckled a few times, mainly because of Kevin and Buddy Crane (John Cena), the powerful, intimidating lawyer for Acme. Both Forte and Cena fully commit despite the goofy atmosphere.
The story of big corporations taking advantage of the little guys is not a new idea, but it is one relevant today. Big corporations justify pain for financial gain, and they get away with it legally. With “Coyote vs. Acme” being originally shelved as a tax write-off, this message is even more ironic. The corporate espionage involving the disappearance of the scientist and secret project builds tension in an otherwise silly movie. Many of the mystery’s reveals land well, but the pacing should have been tighter. Some moments feel too drawn out and repetitive for a film that runs around 100 minutes.
Now “Coyote vs. Acme” needs to make money to prove Warner Bros. wrong. Many people complained, but how many people will actually go support this film? If it flops, the company will be “right,” and will be more likely to shelve films again. This is a good opportunity for longtime fans to reconnect with these characters and for new ones to meet them for the first time.
Final Verdict: Go See In Theaters (3.5/5)
Senior Ranon Travers is a Staff Writer. His email is rtravers@fandm.edu.