When trying to review a direct-to-video movie like Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run (LTRR) it can be difficult as an adult to be objective and not be overly critical. Is this something that you review as you would any other movie and therefore look at it with a magnifying glass in hopes of being hyper-critical? Well, this is where I started… Looking for faults that I could use to justify giving LTRR a poor review. To be truthful, I came at this movie with a bias. I am much more a fan of the older Looney Tunes that seemed to play constantly on regular T.V. during my childhood. I have always preferred the look of those classic Looney Tunes cartoons more than I do newer ones and therefore have not given these recent entries much of a chance or really even much of a watch.
This time though, I had a unique situation that caused me to dial down the personal bias and actually review LTRR for what it really is: a movie for kids. Watching the DVD with me were my son (8 years old) and his two cousins (5 and 7 years old). They thoroughly enjoyed the movie and, because of the fun and laughter they were having, I was able to see this movie as it was intended. It is a good, funny kid’s movie. Are there faults? Yes. Do these faults ruin LTRR? Nope, not even in the slightest way.
Looney Tunes are back in this all-new animated adventure! The chase begins with a very rare flower that can turn anything invisible! When beautiful, bumbling perfume salesgirl Lola Bunny receives the flower as a gift. Unaware of its power, she adds the magical ingredient to her latest perfume creation. With hopes that she has crafted the next big scent, Lola hails crazed cabbies Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck for a hasty trip – destination, Paris! In hot pursuit is a host of Looney Tunes all-stars, all seeking the invisibility spray! Foghorn Leghorn, Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam are but a few fan favorites, stretching out in all-new roles. Marvin the Martian may have the most devious plan for the potion: to erase the planet Earth, – oh, dear! So spring into this globe-trotting, globe trekking frenzy and see who winds out in this fun-packed Looney Tunes romp! – Warner Bros.
That summary (straight from the back of the DVD box) is a bit more than you actually get, but as I said before, LTRR is good children’s movie filled with the classic Looney Tunes characters. This is definitely geared towards the little ones, but there are a few jokes sprinkled in that will make the adults laugh as well. Also, (no spoiler here) but Daffy Duck really steals the show. That may be because Bugs plays the straight man in this one – something I am not used to. I did miss the wacky, rascally rabbit I grew up with. Lola Bunny is also very funny and would have been the show stealer had Daffy been relegated to a smaller role. The other characters only make their appearances in the form of cameos, so if you are a fan of Yosemite Sam, Elmer Fudd or any of the others you won’t get much from them.
The look of Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run is great, albeit different from the classic shows. Presented in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound in a widescreen format gives the animation a slick, smooth look that is pleasing to watch, but is a bit too clean for my overall liking. Kids today will love it though.
What about the extras? This is pretty much standard fare here. There are 5 Bonus Cartoons: The TV pilot for the new Looney Tunes Show called Best Friends. (Again, Daffy Duck steals the show.) The other cartoons are computer animated shorts; 3 with Wiley Coyote and 1 with Tweety Bird. These are all very funny and the computer animation was top-notch in all.
In short I would recommend Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run. If you are my age you will probably want to compare this entry in the Looney Tunes cannon to the classic Looney Tunes cartoons. This is unfair and it is worth mentioning again that this is a cartoon for this generation of kids and should be viewed that way. If you watch it that way, LTRR works quite well and is very enjoyable. The DVD extras actually made me want to watch the new Looney Tunes show. I would recommend checking this one out. You might just be surprised how fun it is.
Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run is Worth It.
Warner Bros. Looney Tunes: Rabbits Run. Written by Hugh Davison and Rachel Ramras. Directed by Jeff Siergey. Starring: Jeff Bergman, Rachel Ramras, Fred Armisen, Maurice LaMarche, Jim Rash and Billy West. Running time: 75 min. Rating: G. Released on DVD: August 4, 2015.
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