THE DAY OF THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE

US, 2024, 91 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Peter MacNicoll, Wayne Knight, Laraine Newman, Fred Tatasciore Peter Browngardt.

Directed by Peter Browngardt.

A Loony Tunes feature film, especially for young audiences brought up on cut cartoons. Older audiences who accompany the children can have some nostalgia moments remembering Daffy Duck and Porky Pig.

For decades, Warner Brothers Looney Tunes have entertained millions of audiences, young and old, especially the young but providing many happy memories as audiences grow older. And there was a favourite characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig… And, after madcap adventures, THAT’S ALL FOLKS! And, behind the scenes for many, many years, the voice of Mel or Blanc.

In 2003 there was a combination of animation and live-action in Loony Tunes: Back in Action, with Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, and a host of stars led by Brendan Fraser and including Steve Martin and Roger Corman.

This version is completely animation. And, fortunately for the tone of the comedy, voice artist, Eric Bauza, takes on the voices of both Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. He has received an Emmy in the past for his Voice Talent and his ability to be a worthy successor of Mel Blanc.

The title of the film is ominous and it begins with a scientist discovering an asteroid hurtling towards earth, finally arriving, through a town which specialises in a Gum Factory. But, then, there is a very nice flashback, the young Daffy and Porky, their being taken in by the very nice Farmer Jim, the early life, and his disappearance into the heavens. But, in the aftermath, there is an inspection of the house, rather in disrepair, and they have to take on quite a number of jobs to try to raise money for the repairs. The youngsters will enjoy the catalogue of attempted jobs and the more frequent word up there on the screen, Fired.

Enter a new character, Petunia Pig, researching various tastes for the Gum Factory, Porky attracted, she very businesslike, Daffy trying to foster the romance. And that continues throughout.

However, it tends to science fiction, a deadly creature, and invader, wanting to take over the Earth, subduing the scientist to his will, wanting power over the Gum.

What follows, at quite some length perhaps for adults, the youngsters enjoying all the mayhem without analysing the credibility of the proceedings!, all kinds of power takeover by the invader, overcoming the town, then the whole world, with the gum taste that reduces everybody to mad behaviour.

Can the threesome change the world? What about the invader and the scientist? What about the mayor of the town and the haughty House Inspector?

No spoiler in learning that our heroes and heroines win the day, the admiration of everyone, the saving the world from the overpowering taste of the gum. But, unexpectedly, the invader experiencing a change of heart and rejoicing along with everyone else at the saving of the world.

Principally a colourful and action-filled magic action entertainment for younger audiences.