Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)

Directed by Joe Dante. Starring Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, Steve Martin, Timothy Dalton, Joan Cusack, Heather Locklear, Bill Goldberg, Mary Woronov, (voices) Joe Alaskey, Jeff Bennett, Billy West, Bob Bergen, Eric Goldberg. [PG]

Hyperactive whirlwind of a comedy-adventure that posits a world where human beings and cartoon characters coexist (à la the 1940’s Hollywood of Who Framed Roger Rabbit). Razor-thin story concerns Warner Bros. studio lot security guard (and wannabe stuntman) Fraser trying to save his kidnapped father (played by Dalton, because the family resemblance was, um, too obvious to the casting department to pass him over?), joined in his quest by studio VP Elfman and the real stars of this picture, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck. Opposing their efforts is the diabolical chairman of the Acme Corporation, brought to life by Martin’s bizarre and ineffectual mugging. Fast, good-natured, and crammed full of references and in-jokes (including several aimed at director Dante’s past work), it’s a nostalgia-hued blast to spot all the walk-ons from Warner’s slate of beloved animated goofballs, but the gags tend to be spotty and mild, and the whole experience is as disposable as the crates used to ship Acme products. Final film score from Jerry Goldsmith. Contains several cameos, including a handful of Dante regulars (Dick Miller, Robert Picardo, Kevin McCarthy); Fraser provides the voice for the gibberish spat out by the Tasmanian Devil.

60/100