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.
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