20 Years and Still Funny
Combining live action and animation had been going on for years but in this movie, it's at its best. Who Framed Roger Rabbit set a standard which has been difficult to best and I don't think it hasn't been, even today. The story, offering a Looney-Toons version of a film noir detective story is just offbeat and goofy enough to catch the imagination. There are puns galore, both verbal and sight gags and the abundance of cartoon characters is a surfeit for the eye as well as the memory. The more popular ones are present, such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy and Donald Duck, and Yosemite Sam. Not merely Warner Brothers' characters but also Disney creations are represented...Mickey and Minnie, Goofy,etc., as well as some Fantasia cameos. For the oldsters in the audience, the originals...Betty Boop in all her black-and-white glory, Droopy, and Lena the Hyena. The multi-vocal talents of the late Mel Blanc and of Charles Fleischer round out an all-star animated cast. The story is basic: a private eye is hired by Maroon Studios to follow their star attractions wife and see if she's "playing pattycake" with anyone. When the studio's partner is discovered to be the other player and is subsequently murdered and the star, one Mr. Rabbit, is accused of the crime, the way is open for the wildest investigation in animation history. With a twist at the end as far as the villain goes,this is a movie for everyone...the kids will like it for the cartoon characters, the adults for the sheer absurdity that somehow manages to still make sense. It's a delightful, wacky entertainment which, because of all the animated elements, should be viewed more than once...for the story, for the puns and gags, and for the characters themselves. Difficult to believe it was filmed 20 years ago because it still holds up today. This movie was purchased as a DVD and no remuneration as involved in the writing of this review. Read more









