Coyote Vs. Acme’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Stokes Hope For The Film Finding Its Audience

The world was technically never supposed to see the Looney Tunes’ cinematic return. However, there are some franchises that refuse to listen to the naysayers, and studios/distributors that believe in them. Today marks the beginning of the payoff, as Coyote vs. Acme reviews (including our own) are dropping. For a movie that should be gathering dust on a shelf in the Warner Bros. archives, the results seem to speak pretty loudly about whether or not this picture is worth the fight. 

Coyote vs. Acme’s Current Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Worth Celebrating

As of this afternoon, Rotten Tomatoes’ total score for director Dave Green’s film is sitting at a comfortable 94%. That result comes from a current tally of 31 reviews from RT certified outlets and critics; after Coyote vs. Acme initially debuted at a beautiful 100%. Alas, there’s no Paddington 2 style perfection for this picture; but the road to becoming Certified Fresh doesn’t look to be difficult.

There doesn’t seem to be much disagreement on the level of entertainment the second modern Looney Tunes movie is bringing to the table. In my own review for the film, I have this comparison to offer:

Imagine Erin Brockovich, All The President’s Men, and Who Framed Roger Rabbit? all meeting in a bar one night, and creating a Mad Libs fueled legal comedy. That’s the second simplest way to describe just why this movie works; save for just flat out saying it’s a classic Looney Tunes laugh riot from start to finish…

For the most part, critics seem to be in agreement with my sentiments, as they praise Ketchup Entertainment’s revival of this previously exiled picture. Meanwhile, on the other side of the portable hole, those who aren’t on board with the Will Forte-led ensemble comedy did have some very specific nitpicks.

The Pros: Critics Seem To Overwhelmingly Welcome Coyote Vs. Acme’s Arrival

Let’s get the good news out of the way first, seeing as it’s the current consensus. Starting with our own friend Tessa Smith at Mama’s Geeky, the chorus of praise indicates that the homages to both classic Hollywood favorites, as well as the Looney Tunes, ring true in this picture: 

• “Can’t believe we almost had a world where no one got to see this movie. It is a hilarious, big-hearted masterpiece packed with Looney Tunes magic and pure, unadulterated joy” – Tessa Smith, Mama’s Geeky
• “This delightful gem of a movie is, for me at least, ironically not only the best Warner Bros film released so far this year, it also is, hands down, the best animated/live action hybrid since Robert Zemeckis’ classic Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” – Pete Hammond, Deadline Hollywood Daily
• “It’s the Looney Tunes version of classic courtroom dramas like ‘The Verdict’ and ‘Erin Brockovich,’ and although it parodies those films it also tries, successfully, to make us feel the way those other great underdog stories make us feel.” – William Bibbiani, TheWrap

That last comparison invoking Julia Roberts’ Academy Award winning whistleblower drama is another that frequently pops up in Coyote vs. Acme’s early critical reactions. However, as you’ll see in the opposing corner on the issue, that apt reference also comes with its own baggage. 

The Cons: Some Feel Coyote Vs. Acme’s Take On The Looney Tunes Is Far From Classic

Admittedly when it comes to the subject of motion picture adaptations,  there’s always been a bit of discord between fans of the Looney Tunes. With a further divide on how Warner Bros’ iconic cartoon franchise has kept up with the times, there are also critics who aren’t exactly fond of Coyote vs. Acme’s wares. 

At the time of this writing, the dissenting opinions are slim, but contain these specific gripes:

• “…who wants to see Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner turned into the dramatic linchpins of a Looney Tunes “Erin Brockovich”? It’s true that you couldn’t make Road Runner cartoons today. But you can make a movie like “Coyote vs. Acme,” which melts down anarchy into presentable buddy mishegas.” – Owen Gleiberman, Variety
• “The lackluster screenplay proves as faulty as ACME’s crummy contraptions.”  – Tim Grierson, Screen International

Time will tell if Coyote vs Acme wins its day in box office court. But don’t let that deter you from joining the metaphorical journey in a theater near you, when the film opens on August 28th. And as always, for all of the latest and greatest in pop culture, keep a browser tab open to THS Movie News; because unlike Porky Pig’s iconic sign-off, that’s not all, folks!