Coyote vs. Acme: A Legal Comedy That Misses the Mark

After nearly three decades in development and a brief shelving by its original studio, the live-action-animation hybrid "Coyote vs. Acme" has finally reached theaters. The film, which cost around $70 million to produce, was initially written off as a tax loss before being picked up for distribution.

The premise draws from a 1990 New Yorker parody, imagining Wile E. Coyote suing the Acme Corporation over its consistently defective products. Set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where humans and cartoon characters coexist, the story follows a small-time personal injury lawyer (Will Forte) who takes on the coyote's case against the massive conglomerate.

The film's corporate villain is Acme, led by Foghorn Leghorn and defended aggressively by John Cena's combative legal counsel. The plot moves from the Southwest to Washington, D.C., where the coyote faces an assassination attempt involving Tweety and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher before testifying before Congress, which includes Elmer Fudd as a senator.

Director Dave Green successfully integrates the animated characters with live-action settings, but the screenplay struggles with tone. The story shifts between underdog-versus-corporation drama, detective comedy, and a moral about perseverance. Fans of the classic cartoons may be disappointed that Bugs Bunny only appears briefly near the hour mark, while Daffy Duck's energetic cameo as an inmate at St. Looneys is too short.

The film attempts to reframe Wile E. Coyote's relentless pursuit of the Road Runner as a noble quality, with Forte's character delivering a speech about the coyote's determination and hope. However, the characterization clashes with the coyote's established homicidal tendencies toward his prey.

"Coyote vs. Acme" is rated PG for cartoon violence and some language, with a runtime of 101 minutes. The film opens in theaters Friday.