For the first time since the short cartoons were playing before movies in an era not only pre-streaming, but pre-home television, the Looney Tunes characters are on the big screen, fully animated, and loonier than ever. Yes, we’re talking about The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is the story of lifelong pals Daffy Duck and Porky Pig saving the world from interplanetary doom, alongside Petunia Pig, a partially zombified science guy…and that’s basically it. It has a short voice cast, tight 91 minute run time, and hearkens to a different age of cartoon lunacy. And given Warner Brother’s recent reputation with their flagship brand, we’re lucky we get to see it at all.
This isn’t your dad’s Daffy Duck…but it is your great-granddad’s.
Daffy Duck has spent the last 30 years as a slapstick foil to the real star of the show Bugs Bunny. In fact most of the plot of Looney Tunes: Back in Action revolves around this characterization for Daffy. But his first cartoons were all about the chaos a crazy duck could cause.
First recommended viewing to prepare for The Day the Earth Blew Up:
- Porky’s Duck Hunt (1937)
Aside from the obvious being the first recognized appearance of Daffy Duck (and alongside Porky no less), this captures what Daffy was bringing to the early Looney roster. You see his trademarked zany running while pumping his legs in the air and “woo-hooing” all the way, refusing to be blown up, and a fair amount of fourth wall breaking. Directed by Fred Avery by the way. That’s THE Tex Avery.
It’s good to be prepared before taking kids to a movie with Looney Tunes in the title, that there is no Bugs Bunny to be found. Or Sylvester and Tweety, Wile E or the Roadrunner, Elmer Fudd, not even Marvin the Martian in this space themed adventure. Just four years removed from the Al G. Rhythm of Space Jam 2 trying to cram in as many Warner Brothers properties as it could to sell you on their new streaming service (which doesn’t even reliably have all the cartoons they own) The Day the Earth Blew Up keeps things simple.
It’s about the brotherly bond between Daffy and Porky. No cameos allowed. Which is probably a reason that the Warner Brothers company didn’t believe in it enough and it took Ketchup Entertainment to come in and help distribute it. Big media companies are looking for nostalgia fueled content, too often forgetting to bolster their characters and brands with fresh new stories.
The B-Movie Plot
I was given the convenience of watching this movie with a room of kids of varying ages and there were definitely moments where I was watching some of the younger kids to see if things got too dark. I’m always of the opinion that it is good for kids’ animation to push that boundary, but it’s something for parents to be aware of before going in.
Second recommended viewing to prepare for The Day the Earth Blew Up:
The Thing. Or Invasion of the Body Snatchers (the ’78 version or ’56). Or The Day the Earth Stood Still (the ’51 version over Keanu’s ’08 version).
If you couldn’t tell by the name of the movie, the plot–and a shocking amount of the visuals–are inspired by schlocky sci-fi movies from the 1950’s. The Scientist character especially is played perfectly straight like he doesn’t know he’s in a Looney Tunes movie. Which is something reviewers will often say about comedy acting in live action, but never for animation.
There is borderline body horror in this PG rated cartoon. And that’s likely not even a parent’s biggest concern.
Crude animation is back baby
There’s a lot of butt jokes. Like a lot.
Third and final recommended viewing to prepare for The Day the Earth Blew Up:
- Ren and Stimpy. Maybe a little Cow and Chicken or season two SpongeBob.
The animators pulled body horror inspiration from movies of the 50’s, but there is body humor straight out of animation of the 90’s. And aside from the vaguely sexual character designs, there are some rough animation styles. The Farmer Jim character (voiced by Fred Tatasciore the same guy as The Scientist, this is a cast of voice actors, no Chris Pratt’s for marketing purposes) that is a father figure to Daffy and Porky for the opening sequence of the film is static in his motions like when Sponge Bob episodes would have a few random frames in a completely different style or have the picture of the pirate’s lips move in the theme song.
The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is a nostalgic movie, but not in the cheap way we are used to seeing Intellectual Property used in the 2020’s. I could recognize influences without having references shoved down my throat as a viewer. It tries to bring back what makes animation unique. And it tells a fully contained story that doesn’t set up a team-up with other characters in a connected universe. It’s just a Looney Tunes cartoon.
Warner Brothers may not believe in the wackiness of their own characters, but I do.
And I hope they stay as looney as ever.
THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE
Director: Peter Browngardt
Line Producer: Michael Baum
Supervising Producer: Alex Kirwan
Executive Producers: Peter Browngardt, Sam Register
Written By: Darrick Bachman, Peter Browngardt, Kevin Costello, Andrew Dickman, David Gemmill, Alex Kirwan, Ryan Kramer, Jason Reicher, Michael Ruocco, Johnny Ryan, Eddie Trigueros
Music By: Joshua Moshier
Edited By: Nick Simotas
Art Director: Nick Cross
Production Designer: Aaron Spurgeon
Production Company: Warner Bros. Animation
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Rating: PG
Running Time: 91 minutes
Synopsis: That’s not all folks! From Ketchup Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation, director Pete Browngardt, and the creative team behind the award-winning “Looney Tunes Cartoons” comes THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE, a brand new buddy comedy starring one of the greatest comedic duos in history–Porky Pig and Daffy Duck! This richly-crafted, hand-drawn 2D animated adventure marks the first fully-animated feature-length film in Looney Tunes history, told on a scope and scale that’s truly out of this world.
Porky Pig and Daffy Duck venture to the big screen as unlikely heroes and Earth’s only hope when their antics at the local bubble gum factory uncover a secret alien mind control plot. Faced with cosmic odds, the two are determined to save their town (and the world!)… that is if they don’t drive each other totally looney in the process.
Featuring the voices of acclaimed actors Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Peter MacNicol, Wayne Knight, and Laraine Newman with the laugh-out-loud gags, vibrant visuals, and beloved characters that make the Looney Tunes so timeless and iconic. Ketchup Entertainment will release THE DAY THE EARTH BLEW UP: A LOONEY TUNES MOVIE wide in theaters on March 14, 2025.
Official Website: Link
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