'The Day The Earth Blew Up' Review- Zany and Looney
Daffy Duck and Porky Pig are back.
The Day The Earth Blew Up is a Looney Tunes film co-written and directed by Pete Browngardt. It was released by Warner Bros. Animation, which premiered it at the 2024 Annecy International Animation Film Festival before it streamed on HBO Max.
Farmer Jim (Fred Tatasciore) raises Daffy Duck (Eric Bauza) and Porky Pig (Eric Bauza) like his own children. After they become adults, they discover a UFO has destroyed their home’s roof, leading to an eviction notice. Needing a job, their new friend Petunia (Candi Milo) helps them secure a job at the local gum factory to cover the cost of their roof. However, the Invader (Peter MacNicol) is planning on using the gum to hypnotize the world.
The animation in this film is spectacular. Daffy Duck, Petunia Pig, and Porky Pig are especially well done. They look extra sleek, but still maintain their old school look. The new characters are also designed well, matching the vibe of the movie.
To be honest, the humor was a bit heavy-handed. At times, the jokes got a smile or a chuckle, but not all of them landed. However, there were some laugh-out-loud moments in the movie. If you grew up watching the Looney Tunes, it definitely had that kind of feel to it. I also appreciated the nod to the great voice actor Tex Avery.
Speaking of voice actors, the cast is perfect. They do a fantastic job of bringing their respective characters to life. Eric Bauza does a grand job of voicing Porky and Daffy. I first heard him in the animated flick Iron Man: Rise Of Technovore, where he voiced Technovore. He is truly talented, evidenced by being able to do the voices of two very distinct characters.
The rest of the cast does a good job as well. Tatasciore lends his unique voice to Farmer Jim and a Scientist, making them each distinct. Milo has been voicing Looney Tunes characters since the Tiny Toon days, so it was great hearing her take the role of Petunia.
If you do not mind some gross humor involving spit, laying eggs, gum aliens, or goo, this is a fun movie for your kids. It is a good entry for them to the classic Looney Tunes, if you are so inclined. It has enough Merry Melodies nostalgia to keep parents engaged and enough zany humor to keep the kiddos laughing all the way home.
It could have used a Bugs Bunny cameo, but Porky, Daffy, and Petunia suffice as the protagonists. You watch as they battle an alien takeover with a stink gun and a flamethrower while another threat looms in the background. It is a good time.
Bottom line, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is a fun throwback with a sci-fi twist. Adults can enjoy the return of some iconic characters, and kids can laugh at the zany antics.
PARENTAL CONCERNS: Crude humor, Cartoonish violence
FAVORITE QUOTE: Who greenlit this?
Check out the trailer below:
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. Tell me if there is a novel, comic book, movie, or anime you would like me to review.