“Coyote vs. Acme” Review: Hilarious, Clever, and Rescued from Corporate Hell
According to CinemaDrame News Agency, film critic Charlotte Thompson writes in an exclusive article: It is deeply ironic, if not downright comedic, that Dave Green’s sharp, charming, and eventful film Coyote vs. Acme is centered entirely around a group of underdogs taking on a wealthy, high-powered corporation—one that values financial margins far more than actual quality. This thematic parallel becomes even funnier when considering the film’s own bizarre real-world journey: produced by Warner Bros., the historical home of the Looney Tunes roster, the live-action/animated hybrid was initially callously shelved for tax write-offs before being rescued by Ketchup Entertainment to finally see a theatrical release after years in limbo.
Yet at the same time, the situation carries a touch of sadness, simply because the movie turned out so exceptionally well. It is a smart, high-energy, fresh, and thoroughly entertaining feature that strikes a winning balance between classic Looney Tunes slapstick and contemporary sensibilities. That Warner Bros. lacked faith in the project is disappointing, and that studio executives failed to realize how closely the story mirrored their own corporate conduct makes it all the more absurd. Fortunately, Green’s film exists, spared from the accountants’ oblivion, and is now ready to satisfy the long wait of cinephiles and Looney Tunes fans alike.
Loosely adapted from a 1990 New Yorker humor article, with a screenplay by Samy Burch and a story by James Gunn and Jeremy Slater, the premise delivers exactly what the title promises: Wile E. Coyote, exhausted after decades of failed Road Runner hunts caused by malfunctioning Acme products, decides to sue the manufacturer. It is a brilliant conceit.
The story opens in 1992, as Dr. Peter Lorre (a classic Looney Tunes character designed after the real-life actor Peter Lorre) attempts to flee the sinister Acme factory. While the doctor’s escape goes awry, it leaves behind a treasure trove of evidence that resurfaces three decades later.
Thirty years on, we catch up with Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner in the midst of their endless chase across the American Southwest. Coyote’s master plans to catch the bird continue to fail spectacularly, leaving him profoundly despondent and worn down. Conveying such emotional depth for a character who does not speak and communicates purely through handheld signs and facial expressions is a remarkable milestone. Amidst his frustration, a new plan takes shape: a formal lawsuit against the Acme Corporation.
Coyote crosses paths with Kevin Avery (Will Forte), a struggling attorney who specializes in minor claims against Acme. A Harvard Law graduate paralyzed by a fear of failure, Kevin typically settles cases out of court, accepting Acme’s modest hush-money payouts. But Coyote isn’t interested in pocket change; he wants accountability.
This legal pursuit propels Kevin, his niece Paige (Lana Condor), and the rest of the law office onto a direct collision course with the Acme empire and its ruthless defense attorney, Buddy Crane (John Cena). Along the way, investigation leads trigger appearances from beloved fan favorites, including Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Tweety, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, and Sylvester.
The blending of live-action performers and animated characters is exceptionally seamless and visually refined. Veteran puppeteer Dave Barclay brought Coyote to life on set using specialized suit setups and interchangeable props, while the cartoon characters themselves utilize a hybrid of 2D and 3D animation, grounding them believably within a shared reality alongside human actors.
Watching the Looney Tunes characters navigate the real world is a pure delight, and the film’s visual gags are executed with precision. While the narrative momentum slows slightly during the third-act resolution, Coyote vs. Acme ultimately stands as a complete success—a film that never deserved to be buried on a balance sheet, but rather one that warrants repeated viewings and genuine appreciation.
Ketchup Entertainment will release the film in theaters on August 28.
