Movie Review: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

 

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my Movie Review.

You know guys, crossover films is one the most rarest genre that many fans like to do a fanfic of crossovers, some are unique, and others just come off as too desperate to be good. Aside fanfics, we've seen a couple of films with crossovers, but like i said, some are impressive like MCUs with Avengers Endgame and others are nothing but disappointment (Yes, im looking at you, Space Jam: A New Legacy). But nothing can compare one film that many people was considered as the most Groundbreaking film ever made in the late 80's.

"Who framed Roger Rabbit" is a 1988 live-action/animated comedy mystery film that was directed Robert Zemeckis, Frank Marshall and Robert Watts and written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. Along with Steven Spielberg as executive producer with his company Amblin Entertainment for collab.

This film was such a big deal at the time for the idea of a hybrid film that no one will ever imagined, though its no the first time we have that, the first cinematic hybrid type (or as i thought) came from 1943 Saludos Amigos, a packaged film where Donald Duck is on the trip in Latin America along with befriending Jose Carioca and later having a third best bud Panchito Pistoles in 1945 "The Three Caballeros", then decades later, we did have the return of hybrid technique in 1964 Mary Poppins. Oh and there's also Song of the South in 1946 which is... Well, pretty difficult to explain how controversial that not even Disney acknowledge the existence of this film.

Anyway, this film was surprisingly based on the book called "Who Censored Roger Rabbit?" by Gary K. Wolf, the idea of this film came from former president/son-in-law Ron W. Miller where after bought the rights, he had a hope that this film with be a major blockbuster, despite that for Disney's 80s era wasn't the best time that aside of having their best cartoons on televisions, their movies are anything but, including Black Cauldron was a biggest embarrassment for the box-office flop and a Miller wasn't as helping very much that he ended up kicked out by Roy E. Disney with the Board of Directors and brought Michael Eisner as a CEO/Chairman along with his partner Jeffrey Katzenberg. As the production of this movie went on, it was a difficulty task for costing too much as a hybrid film that Eisner was suggested to canceling it, but Katzenberg refused to cancelling, believing it will be a big hit with the collaboration with Spielberg, so they went on.

By the time the film was released, their honesty was definitely true that it became a major hit at the box-office with over $329.8 million and the critics and audience loved it so much for the story, memorable characters and of course, the crossover with big names and the animation. Although i never had a chance to see this movie as a kid, because back then, my parents and i were costumed to Disney's classic movies with VHS tapes, sucks for that, but hey, as time goes, i eventually got it in digital download. My father used to watched this movie and he loved it, so i gave my first taste.

So now we got this out of way, will this movie still a masterpiece for solving mystery behind toons, or this film deserved to be dipped in the barrel of The Dip?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

Like any reviews i've done, im not gonna compare between the book and the film, because i've never read it, im just a movie guy like anybody do, you know. Anyway, about the story and the writing of this movie? Well, even though its a typical murdering case, but it has a pretty good execution of plot elements.

The movie takes place in a good'ol days of 1947 at Hollywood, where real life people are interacting with cartoon characters that they came from "Toontown". After the film making of cartoon shorts gone wrong with Roger Rabbit, we introduced our main hero Eddie Vailant, a private detective had a struggle from the past since his beloved brother died, cause him into addicted to alcohol and lost his sense of humor. Aside from the diffculty life from the past, Eddie was hired by the head Maroon Cartoon Studios named "R.K. Maroon" in order to explain about the rumors about Roger and a beautiful toon lady (And i DO mean a big hottie one for being drawn that way) named Jessica Rabbit whether they're in relationship, or cheating on him when she had a "patty-cake" with the Acme Corporation and Toontown, Marvin Acme (Yeah, i think we all knew what it means...). However at next day, Marvin was found dead by a piano crushing on his head, they were told that Roger is responsible for killing Acme, not before we meet a sinister superior court judge named "Judge Doom" is his weasels henchmen to believing Roger did this out of nowhere, otherwise, he'll executing toons with his barrel of dangerous chemical substance that destroying toons what he called "The Dip", however, Baby Herman (who starred with Roger) defending Roger that he didn't killed Acme, its up to Eddie to solve the case to prove Roger's innocence and found out the mysterious murderer.

While the story of solving murderer case is pretty cliché like any movie murder cases out there, but the movie has a great delivery for the writing of plot elements and some humor, mainly the focus of Eddie Valiant has a bad experience from the past that made him into near grumpy detective in his dislike of toons that he lost his respectful brother, it helps to make us feel sorry for him how he missed him so much that he becoming alcoholic and sorta detective how much he hates toons, but of course as the movie goes, he does get the chance to changing his life in order find the case further from the rabbit hole (no pun attended). Of course, there's the plot element about how Hollywood depicted as a studio with people and toons that i find it pretty unique of its idea (but il explain the presentation later on) and even how the toons come to life from a painting, otherwise they might as well killed off as paint thinner, or "The Dip" as Doom called. Another element that they include is when Red Car was sold that turning into Towntown that we all know, but got a bidding with Cloverleaf industry to once again, taking over for shake-up, not sure if its a purpose, but we'll get to that for my final act part.

And finally, as for the humor in this movie, well it surprisingly fun to watch, sure it could be chaotic at the time, but at least it does makes me laugh to watch like our good'ol days of slapstick cartoons like Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, some cartoons in the old days of Disney and many more, esp3ecially for a fun chemistry between Eddie and Roger Rabbit for their journey gone crazy for how looney Roger is.

The story could be cliché, but the execution of the writing and the humor is what we invest for the plot with secret about Cloverleaf, fun jokes and fascinating character development of Eddie and some other characters (Which we'll get to the characters later).

The Presentation

Holy smokes, the presentation is so damn good what they've accomplished for 1988 with the budget of $50.6 million!

The filming location is a neat touch how it represents in the 1940s, a time where cartoons are such a big deal in Hollywood the boom of televisions in the 50s. from outside of the studio (along with Desilu Studios act as Maroon Cartoon Studio), the offices, the bar and factory, which they look pretty nice to film.

But of course, the biggest challenge of filming is when actors interacting toons, its mainly because they have to do the combination of mime, puppets, mannequin and even animatronic hands, its takes a challenge for doing this before the post-production for the use of animation. Not to mention, it also done with blue screen when we entered Toontown.

Speaking of which, the best part of its presentation is the animation itself, Even though its not as colorful as Encanto, but its classy as hand drawn and colored along with nice quality, its not just the way the characters are animated, but you can see plenty of familiar characters in the movie, from Dinsey, Looney Tunes, Fleischer, MGM and some others that we had a fond memory from our childhood. I guess we like to thanks to the crews at Disney and even the late Richard Williams for the work of animation, cause it looks outstanding as a hybrid film, despite Richard was busy with his passion project "The Thief and The Cobbler", though i've already talked about it before. Even the Toontown has some colorful and unique look for our imagination of the world of crossover cartoons in the Golden Era.

Aside that, Spielberg had some other characters that he asked, but didn't make the cut like Tom and Jerry, Little Lulu, Casper, Terry Tunes's characters and couple others, its a shame, but better luck next time.

The film's presentation looks impressive for the filming with the challenge of practical effects and fun and great work of animation with cartoons to life in a hybrid film.

The Characters

Aside of noticeable characters from cameos to background, the characters in the movie are enjoyable for their delivery, their development and even related.

Lets start with Eddie Valiant (played by the late Bob Hoskins) i private detective who has lost his sense of humor that drove himself into alcoholism because of his brother's death from toons. But as we know, once he had a chemistry with Roger, things change back for his old heart for case going further. Eddie is a memorable character and related that we're been struggling from the past of our family member, especially with a brother or sister in a distaste from we have have, until we eventually get used to it since before. And of course, Bob did a great work for playing a bitter detective but has some fun moments to make us laughing, but its a damn shame that he sadly passed away 29 April 2014 (Rest in Peace, Bob...), cause he sometimes was amazing actor (whether you like or hate at some movies he's been, including the Craptacular adaptation of Super Mario Bros the movie).

Next we have a cartoon star of the movie, Roger Rabbit (voiced by Charles Fleischer), a toon who's the star of his cartoons before gone wrong for his either cartoony ability or perhaps being waay too goofy to be a star. But once he was framed for the murder of Marvin Acme, its up to us whether he did it or obviously innocent based on when Jessica cheated to be with Acme. Even though he's another character that we felt sorry for, but he's obviously a comedic role in this movie based on being a sorta main protagonist in order to prove his innocence without going too crazy at Eddie or anybody on his way.

Here's an interesting note, while Fleischer did a voice acting (behind the camera), but also dressing up as Roger in order to be more into character. It may sounds weird, but i will give a credit for Charles for his role, he did a fun and sometimes over the top as our titular character.

After that, we have Jessica Rabbit (voiced by uncredited Kathleen Turner) and man, what a hottie appearance of her. Anyway, she's Roger's girlfriend (though had a "patty-cakes" with Acme before he was murdered) and a beautiful singer on stage (with Amy Irving did a one helluva performance of the cover song "Why Don't You Do Right?"). But once Acme was murdered and Roger being framed, she changed into femme-fatal to following up with Eddie when the case gets deeper, especially when she's kinda overprotective at Roger to keep him safe without you know, going too looney.

Though not my waifu, she's a one beautiful animated love interest for Roger (even if the relationship between a cartoon human and cartoon rabbit didn't make any sense, but hey, its just toons) and being a femme-fatal, but sometimes she could be, too hot at the times, which there's one particular controversy where after Benny the cab got "Dipped" (Sorry...) and crashing at the light pole, we noticed Jessica is in commando underneath her red dress (il let you know what "Commando" slang means if you search on Google, or not), that was on Laserdisc back then, which Disney later edited to covering up from later release. Aside of getting into trouble, but she's a one helluva beauty in cartoons, my friend, but at least she has character development unlike most of generic unnecessary beautiful ladies out there (not trying to be sexist, but we always want more personalities and developments, just saying.)

And we have Judge Doom (played by Christopher Lloyd, aka Doc Brown from Back to the Future), a cold and sinister superior judge court of Toontown for either demanding whether the case is solved to Eddie or killing toons with The Dip. He's quite possibly one of the mostly terrifying villain in the 80s, whenever he shows up, its a warning sign that he'll either tell you about it or forcing you watching cartoon characters getting suffered from The Dip. But once he's revealed, oohhh boy, its gonna be even more scary, but il save it to tell about the final act. He's definitely one of the most memorable villain in hybrid film for his his goal, his delivery and even great performance from Chris Lloyd, otherwise, did you guys slept with your eyes open or lights on because of Doom?

As for the rest, they're pretty much giving us a plot device when we gid deeper about the murder case, for the most part, there's Dolores (played by Joanna Cassidy) who's Eddie's girlfriend where she works on the bar, despite telling him to stop having a traumatic experience from the part, Marvin Acme (played by the late Stubby Kaye) who's a goofy owner of Acme Corp and driven plot points for being murdered (Maybe he could've make more not-so innovative gadgets on himself than given away to Wile E. Coyote, but i digress), R.K. Maroon (played the late Alan Tilvern in his last role) is the owner of Marron Cartoon studio for his struggle of success based on difficulty work with Roger Rabbit, Baby Herman (voiced by Lou Hirsch) who's a baby that he acts like an adult, but claiming he's stuck in three year old dinky (which is exactly what he said) and Benny the cab (also voiced by Charles Fleischer) who's basically an anthro car.

Of course, since this a crossover film with cartoons, like i said, there are many characters you've seen, these includes plenty of Looney Tunes and Disney characters outside of Maroon's studio, Donald Duck vs Daffy Duck in a piano battle (aka Hungarian Rhapsody), Droopy at the elevator (with surprisingly voiced by Richard Williams himself), Eddie talked to Betty Boop (voiced by the legendary Mae Questel) and of course, the most highlighted scene, is when Eddie is falling in Toontown, we saw interaction of Mickey Mouse (voiced by Wayne Allwine) and Bugs Bunny (voiced by the great voice actor of Looney Tunes, Mel Blanc, but its the last time he provided voice of Looney Tunes characters (except for Yosemite Sam) before sadly passed away in 1989, R.I.P. for the original man with thousand voices). I mean seeing Mickey Mouse and Bug Bunny in movie together is like putting scene as part of "Hall of Fame".

The characters are enjoyable for this movie, especially with crossover cameos which is like a childhood's dreams came true.

SPOILER ALERT for anybody who haven't seen a movie, or if you don't mind

The final act is a lot of reveals, ranging from surprise to downright frightening, but don't worry, like any Disney movies, there's always "live happily ever after".

After R.K. Maroon got murdered and traveling Toontown, Eddie sees Jessica again, this time, not only she tries to protecting Roger in the trunk for safekeeping (but didn't turned out as we expected), she also revealed that it wasn't Roger's fault for murdering Acme and Maroon, but rather Judge Doom for the whole time. After they got captured by Doom and his weasels henchmen, Eddie and Jessica are holding hostage to revealing Doom has a shareholder of Cloverleaf to not only destroying Toontown with his The Dip canon machine, but also replacing it to freeway (in other words, he wants to destroying the town of cartoons, but taking over as a road in order to make a cash money, not sure if its the most threatening plan ever, but it could've been worse). But then Roger comes down from the roof in order to save Eddie and Jessica, but didn't turned out, leaving Roger and Jessie hold hostage in front of The Dip canon. As Eddie tries to save his Toon friends, he starts fighting against Doom's weasels by doing a vaudeville comedic style, which it turns out, it works that some weasels die of laughter, except the last one that ended up down to death by The Dip, but Doom shows up for revenge, as Eddie is fighting against the superior judge, but also protecting Roger and Jessica, along with a steamroller squashing over Doom.

It may sounds like its over, but its FAR from over, not only Doom is still alive, but also revealing that he's a Toon disguising as a human for the whole time, along with:

Judge Doom: Remember me Eddie?! (his voice goes high pitch in creepy way) When i kill your brother, i talk... Just LIKE THIIISSSS!!!

You spend a next day, weeks or months, either sleeping with your eyes open or with lights on, my friends.

Anyway, Eddie is gotta fight Doom's true form with his dangerous golden gadgets, including a Buzzsaw in attempt kill Eddie!! But luckily, Eddie found a mullet with boxing glove trap to open the plug of The Dip to blew from behind to completely melting off Doom to death (Whew, thank goodness to kill that nightmarish final boss). After clean the floor from The Dip and The Dip machine got destroy by the toon's train, it reveals that Doom's goal is to killing off Roger to clear the name for his will, and as for Roger when he was upset before? It was revealing to be Roger's did a love letter to Jessica for Acme's will, but in the end, Toontown is now hand over to toons, Eddie reunites Dolores and he's got his sense of humor to thanking Eddie to finishing the case, and so, they walk together to Toontown and live happily ever after.

What a final act of this movie to giving us surprise, a nightmare full to satisfying conclusion with toon pals celebrating to save Toontown from Doom. Quite of rollercoaster ride, eh?

And now for my final opinion of this film.

Wowie my friend, this is easily the best movie ever made, without a doubt. It has a well-written story, pretty good presentation, outstanding animations and of course, lovable characters.

Sure, the movie may have some problems like some controversy or some nitpicks, but honestly, i had a blast for watching this movie, like i said at the beginning, my dad love this movie before i was born, i've seen images and clips until gave a shot to watch and i had a great time.

Is this a highly recommended film for old school fans, crossover fans or heck even any animation brand fans. This is the film that you should definitely check it out, you're gonna love it so much.

For my rating, this movie is so damn good that im giving it a Perfect 10/10 with the Trophy of Success, because of course it deserves it, my friend.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on https://ko-fi.com/blackevil.

Once again, i like to thanks to some of you for voting this fascinating movie and of course, il pick some other films from either the poll or maybe my personal or curious pick to watch some films for the first time.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.