The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie Review

An attempt to save their house leads Porky Pig and Daffy Duck to uncover an alien mind-control invasion plan. But when they try to tell people, they are dismissed as crazy. Which means this oddball duo – along with Petunia Pig – now hold the fate of the world in their hands.

For many of us, Looney Tunes was a staple part of our upbringing. It’s quite a legacy if you think about it; for decades the craziest of cartoon characters have been delighting children and adults alike with their madcap antics. In fact, if you didn’t spend a reasonable part of your childhood enjoying their nuttiness, I’d argue you were missing out. But there’s still hope, because the latest looney adventure should appeal to both old fans and new. It is everything we know and love about Porky, Daffy, and everything else Looney Tunes. The Day The Earth Blew Up harks back to the hey day of the classic cartoon series, and at the same time somehow manages to bring it into the 21st century as well.

In a world where everything is 3D, the decision to make a 2D animated feature might seem rebellious, with any other project that is. But for a Looney Tunes adventure it makes a lot of sense. The unique visual style is a signature part of what makes the franchise so loveable. Which is why it was so important that director Peter Browngardt and his team managed to capture it with this new film. The fact that each frame was hand-drawn – albeit with tablets – demonstrates what a labour of love it truly was. Something that shines through with every viewing. But they didn’t just stick to one style of animation, there are multiple styles that have been combined to make something quite unique. It might be a rather over-used saying, but The Day The Earth Blew Up truly is a feast for the eyes.

However, the movie would be nothing without its stars, and I am delighted to say they have still got it. Porky and Daffy may be getting on in years but they still know how to cause chaos… especially Daffy. And along the way you might just learn more about the two of them than you ever wanted to. Eric Bauza is the man chosen to give voice to both sides of this not so dynamic duo, and he does a stellar job with all the spitting and the stuttering. While Candi Milo brings unwavering passion, dedication and a little obsession to Petunia Pig, a scientist searching for the perfect flavour and the only pig who can keep Porky and Daffy on track. But it’s the newcomer who really steals the show. Peter MacNicol is positively unhinged as ‘The Invader’. I would never have thought it possible, but between his comic rage issues, his exasperation when it comes to his minion(s), and his desperate need for a health & safety review of his spaceship, he actually manages to be funnier than Porky and Daffy.

Ultimately however, this is a buddy comedy, and one that only Looney Tunes could make. Filled with humour that will appeal to both children and grown-ups – including some hilarious pop culture references – it’s a zany adventure even before the extraterrestrials show up. Unhinged, unchained and generally uncontrollable. And Browngardt and his team certainly weren’t afraid to use it to poke fun at the increasingly ridiculous world we live in. But there’s also some real heart. Daffy and Porky are polar opposites in every sense. Their friendship shouldn’t work, and yet it proves as endearing as it is amusing. It would have to be if this most unqualified pair are going to save us. Trouble is, not everything is what it seems as our heroes battle to save first their home, and eventually the entire planet. There’s a sense of mystery to what the Invader is up to, that just might keep the grown-ups guessing as much as the kids. Watching Porky and Daffy try to figure it out, or at least crash into the answers is unsurprisingly hilarious – especially when it annoys the Invader.

The Day The Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie hits US cinemas on 14th March.