it’s crazy that Looney Tunes has been around since the 1930s and it had never had a fully-animated theatrical release. That is, until now. The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie brings Daffy Duck and Porky Pig to the silver screen for a hilarious blast from the past.
The Day the Earth Blew Up finds Daffy and Porky (both voiced by Eric Bauza) not only trying to keep their childhood home from being seized, but also combating an incoming alien takeover. Like Max’s Looney Tunes Cartoons, which this film is a spiritual spinoff of, the franchise returns to its visual roots to deliver never-ending doses of nostalgia. Daffy and Porky resemble their original designs but get a punched-up color palette and more dynamic animation. The action is incredibly reminiscent of classic, comical cartoon violence – perfectly punctuated by “Bams” and “Whams” at every turn. There’s even a splendid homage to the stylistic approach of Looney Tunes episodes that’ll have fans grinning from ear to ear. The Day the Earth Blew Up depicts the iconic aesthetics of Looney Tunes in spades, but also finds ways to add modern flair through its old and new characters.
Daffy and Porky are an absolute treat to have leading the charge because, like the animation, they too return to their time-honored forms. Daffy’s zaniness is off the charts and his snarky confidence blowing up in his face never ceases to be funny. His knack for explosive destruction makes for some memorably hilarious turns, and this film really showcases why he continues to be a beloved fan-favorite. As for Porky, well, he’s as lovable as ever. He grounds the film perfectly through his good-hearted nature and romantic storyline with Petunia Pig (Candi Milo).
More importantly though, he brings a sense of balance to Daffy’s insanity while still being game for all the wild shenanigans that ensue. Together, Daffy and Porky are at their best, and it helps that a genuine pro like Bauza is behind their voices. For those that don’t know, Bauza is a modern icon of voice acting. So, it’s immensely satisfying to see him finally earn not one, but two lead roles like this. He’s absolutely stellar from start to finish, and he adds modern flavors to their voices that match the energy of some freshly animated musical sequences that are sewn in.
Now, while it might seem like a shame that Daffy and Porky are the only two major returnees of Looney Tunes‘ vast roster, Petunia is a welcomed, fresh-feeling inclusion. The rarely seen side character brings her own comedic strengths, and the chemistry she has with Porky is incredibly adorable. It’s great that she plays an interesting role in the alien invasion that unfolds, and she boasts all the makings of a new yet not so new crowd pleaser. Outside of the old characters, there’s a few newbies who also make a phenomenal mark.
Farmer Jim (Fred Tatasciore), the adoptive father for Daffy and Porky, is an absolute gem. From how he’s animated to Tatasciore’s warm voice, he gets things going on the perfect comedic note and might be one of the best side characters in the franchise’s history. Then, there’s a hilarious comedic duo that forms between The Invader (Peter MacNicol) and a brainwashed scientist (also Tatasciore). Their bits are perfectly chaotic and embody the funniest parts of two characters always getting in each other’s way.
Aside from the comedy and visuals, The Day the Earth Blew Up = brings its A-Game when it comes to the story – well, for the most part. The renewed origins for Daffy and Porky are incredibly fun to see play out and help build up the dynamic they have that’s tested throughout the film. Their arc as dueling yet loving brothers has some touching beats and lets fans see these characters in a familiar yet refreshing light. Plus, the ’50s sci-fi story surrounding alien takeover through chewing gum is a ton of fun.
It’s a really unique concept that plays into silly concepts of Looney Tunes stories as well as the B-movie feel the film is aiming for. There’s some good twists and turns with it that make for a surprisingly multi-layered story. Admittedly though, there might be one too many twists thrown into the mix since the film eventually blows its load on false endings. There are too many attempts to pull the rug out from viewers throughout the final act, and it can make the adventure come off a little too bloated. It’s so egregious that the otherwise smooth pacing eventually drags and you start to feel less engaged by the story.
Yet, even with some of those flaws, The Day the Earth Blew Up is the must-see return for Looney Tunes fans could only dream of. It excellently recaptures the greatness of the franchise’s golden era and spins it into an awesome genre-blender that sees Daffy and Porky at their funniest. It’s the type of film that really instills new life into a franchise like Looney Tunes that desperately needs it, and The Day the Earth Blew Up is already one of the most exciting and eye-pleasing films of the year.
