My fondness for Looney Tunes will always place the Golden Age classics well above the modern revival era (2015 onwards). With The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, the nuance and wit that once defined the series are largely missing. The humour leans more toward Tex Avery’s zany chaos than Chuck Jones’ clever restraint. In fact, some of the slapstick borders on Ren & Stimpy-style absurdity, which may not sit well with traditionalists.
While many creative voices have shaped the franchise over the decades, it’s Jones’ signature blend of heart and timing that I value most—more so than the foundational work of others like Friz Freleng and Bob Clampett, who helped establish the tone in the 30s.
The strongest shorts came in the 40s and beyond. By the 90s, the franchise reached new heights with Animaniacs, and stayed strong into the early 2000s with Duck Dodgers: The Animated Series. Since then, attempts to honour that legacy have been hit-and-miss. This film’s high-definition look—using crisp digital animation and glossy textures—lacks the warmth of traditional hand-drawn styles. I’d prefer softer, pencil-textured visuals over hard-edged CGI.
This movie hinges on the dynamic between Daffy Duck and Porky Pig (both voiced by Eric Bauza), but their chemistry doesn’t recapture the spark of earlier parodies like Dick Tracy or Buck Rogers. The modernized take loses touch with those roots—and it shows.
Here, Daffy and Porky feel more like quarreling brothers than a classic hero-and-sidekick team. When the frantic duck uncovers an alien plot to conquer Earth, convincing others to take action becomes a challenge. This Daffy isn’t the overconfident yet capable Captain Dodgers of old (reviewed here); he’s a full-blown buffoon rather than a lovable egotist.
Petunia Pig (Candi Milo) rounds out the trio as the brains of the operation—and she’s the film’s standout. A rarely seen character from the Warner Bros. vault, she finally gets the spotlight she deserves. Her assertiveness and intellect are refreshing, and her presence gives the film much-needed energy. Without her, there wouldn’t be much to hold this movie together. As for Farmer Jim (voiced by Fred Tatasciore), he feels like a narrative outlier—both in his visual design and function. He’s positioned as a warm, Jonathan Kent–style figure, but the film gives him too little screen time to develop that role or justify his eventual exit.
There’s been talk that strong performance from this film could revive interest in Coyote vs. Acme, which remains unreleased. I’m not optimistic. Longtime fans love Looney Tunes for its original spirit, and attempts to modernize it with today’s fast-paced, chaotic humour often miss the mark. Honestly, I’d rather see the prequel to Scoob!—a story that explores Scooby’s early bond with the gang sounds far more compeling than what this outing delivers.
3 Stars out of 5
The Day The Earth Blew Up:
A Looney Tunes Movie Trailer
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