'The Day the Earth Blew Up' review: Madcap Looney Tunes adventure pops in all its 2D animation glory
Courtesy of Ketchup Entertainment
A fantastic return to “Looney Tunes” with stellar animation that is both tried and true, yet absolutely brilliant. The likes of Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, and Friz Freleng would surely be delighted to see their spirit and style flawlessly displayed in “The Day the Earth Blew Up,” which is arguably the best display of crisp 2D animation in recent memory.
Director Peter Browngardt truly understands what makes these Tunes so looney, and his team, fresh off a 2018 revival of the beloved franchise, delivers an experience that both honors the past and reinvents it. I’m happy to report that this entry returns to the roots of simplicity in storytelling, paired with a gorgeous, hand-drawn style that makes every character pop. I found myself genuinely engaged in the dynamic visuals, something I haven’t seen in animation for quite some time. Plus, an incredible vocal performance by Eric Bauza for both Daffy Duck and Porky Pig pays wonderful homage to the steadfast influence of the legendary Mel Blanc.
“The Day the Earth Blue Up” starts on a somewhat surprising note. A meteor crashes into a rooftop in the present day, leading to an origin story for Daffy and Porky. It’s a bit awkward but not entirely unwelcome. Back in the present, Daffy and Porky search for a job to pay for their meteor-damaged roof. They end up settling in a gum factory, where they unearth a sticky conspiracy along the way, with flavor scientist Petunia Pig as their guide.
My only real complaint about the film is that it nails the “Looney Tunes” formula so well that it feels just a bit overstuffed, especially with a third act that drastically changes the plot. While the characters themselves are wonderful—there are only three to play with, four if you count the villain—it can sometimes feel like Daffy, Porky, and Petunia are stretched a bit thin over the 91-minute runtime.
Additionally, while there are some silent and Easter egg cameos from other characters in “Looney Tunes” lore, they feel extremely underutilized. I have no problem with the focus being on Daffy and Porky, but having the cameos be just a little more prominent could have alleviated some of the above-mentioned issues by giving the illusion of a larger world. These characters didn’t need to be central to the plot; a quick one-liner or a knowing look could have made the world feel just slightly broader. With such a wide and iconic array of characters at their disposal, it’s a bit disappointing that WB didn’t incorporate more, especially considering a story that involves the entire world.
At the end of the day, “The Day the Earth Blew Up” is still an incredible return to a franchise that certainly deserves more than its fair share of attention. Hopefully its success will inspire some justice for “Coyote v. ACME!”
Grade: B+
THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP is now playing in theaters.
About the author:
