Writer of Pop Culture

It’s pretty impressive when an actor can land a starring role at the age of 90. Even better when they can star alongside their best friend. Porky Pig, Warner Bros’ oldest cartoon character, has reunited with 88-year-old Daffy Duck in The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. And they are wacky as ever.

They starred together in the 1953 short, Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century and its 1980 sequel, Duck Dodgers and the Return of the 24½th Century. Both featured Marvin the Martian and inspired the Duck Dodgers TV series for Cartoon Network. The Day the Earth Blew Up doesn’t feature Marvin, but it would have been great if he had a cameo. However, they do meet a new alien to contend with.

Warner Bros. Animation has struggled for years to recapture the magic of the iconic Looney Tunes shorts from the 1950s and 1960s. Well, they finally released a full-length picture that does just that. However, with a run time of 91 minutes, it is a bit much for anyone other than children and purists.

^{(Ketchup Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation)}

It is impressive that this film got made at all. The Day the Earth Blew Up has been in development since 2019. It is directed by Pete Browngardt who also shared writing duties with ten other writers. (This is usually not a good sign.) It is Warner Bros.’ first fully animated Looney Tunes movie to be based completely on new material. Usually, the feature films had been compilations of previously released cartoons or were live action tales with some added animation. (Think Space Jam, Space Jam 2 and Looney Tunes: Back in Action).

The story begins with Daffy and Porky (both voiced by Eric Bauza) as infants. They were adopted by Farmer Jim (Fred Tatasciore), a mysterious giant of a man (literally). He takes them into his home and raises them. Right off the bat, there are gags aplenty. One of the best explains how Porky got his stutter.

Years later, a mysterious object falls from the sky and blasts a hole in their roof. This is pointed out by HOA representative Mrs. Grecht (Laraine Newman) who tells them that they need to get it repaired or be evicted. This prompts the realization that this duo needs to get jobs and leads to a series of comical occupational disasters.

Just when things look bleak, they meet future love interest Petunia Pig (Candi Milo) at a diner. While talking, she explains that she works as a flavor tester at the local bubble gum factory. She encourages them to apply for work there. They do and surprise, it’s a fit! Unbeknownst to all of them, the factory has become overrun by an alien (Peter MacNicol). And wouldn’t you know it? They have a plot to take over the world…using mind control through the chewing of bubble gum!

This movie is a return to form. It portrays the protagonists as we’ve seen them in their classic cartoons. The jokes vary from classic Looney Tunes to modern slapstick. Still, there are few callbacks to older cartoons that adults will appreciate. And any fan will tell you that voice actor Mel Blanc was a huge part in creating comedy gold. It’s uncanny just how close Eric Bauza’s voice talent resembles Daffy and Porky. Candi Milo also does a great job voicing Petunia, a character who is not new, but is rarely seen. She’s cute and spunky but not overpowering. The trio makes a good team.

Thanks to Joshua Moshier, the music is also reminiscent of the classic shorts played with a full orchestra. The movie would not be the same without the classic “The Merry Go Round Broke Down” or Raymond Scott’s “Powerhouse”. (It plays during a factory scene.) Some more modern music has been included as well. Is there a more perfect song than R.E.M.’s “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”?

No one would mistake this feature for a Disney or Pixar movie, and nor should they. But to be fair, it does include some nice messages not usually featured in a seven-minute cartoon. Things like the importance of friendship and forgiveness.

For fans, this is the movie you’ve been waiting for. Personally, I would have enjoyed the story more if it had been divided into smaller segments. Looney Tunes characters are fun to watch in small doses. The energy level is high from beginning to end and the wackiness never lets up. Some scenes feel as if they were added just to stretch the story to a full hour and a half. I’m not sure if characters like these are meant to tell a full-length story in the first place. They are just one note. So causal fans, be warned.

Main Image: Ketchup Entertainment/Warner Bros. Animation